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Degree Plan
The Master of Arts in Digital Media and Learning (DML) is a 30 unit program.
The plan of work for each student is chosen, with the advisor, from among the courses listed below, so as to maximize program outcome yield for the individual student. There are 21 units of required curriculum (*) and nine units of elective coursework. All students are required to construct a digital portfolio to demonstrate their accomplishments during their time in the program. Included within the required courses (21 units) is a choice of one's culminating activity. A student either designs, produces, and implements a professional development training program or a student conducts research and develops a field project or thesis (**).
Education and Digital Media Foundations
Digital Media Literacy*
Introduction to the vocabulary, concepts, media tools and pedagogy for the effective and appropriate integration of technology into learning environments as a tool for developing literacy and 21st century knowledge processing. The course addresses the issues of personal and institutional readiness, faculty needs, and maximal student learning at a variety of levels.
Cognitive Principles in Educational Technology
The cognitive sciences are studied with respect to the issues in the design, implementation, and evaluation of technology intensive intentional learning environments and applications.
Human-Technology Interface Design
The fundamental principles of how to design, develop, test and evaluate user interface design using digital media tools are explored in this course. Addresses issues of human cognition, learning styles, ADA accessibility needs, and task analysis. Practice in the planning and selection of technology-based instruction with an emphasis on the relation of theory to the creation of intentional learning environments.
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Communication
Media, Medium, and Method
Students work in teams to apply theories of learning and principles of communication and media design to the creation of curriculum units. This course examines the use of various media and their ability to communicate the intended message in the context of learning theories and learning styles. Students explore various technologies for producing digitized sound, graphics, and video.
Digital Storytelling and Communications Media
This course explores the ways in which storytelling is a constant in an ever-changing world and evaluates the role of storytelling in the digital era. Participants research the impact of technology on individuals and culture and how technological innovations challenge educators/trainers to reconsider old models of communication to convey meaning and information in light of new media and technology tools.
Cyberculture: Building Online Learning Communities
The concepts and theories of social computing are introduced in this course. It explores distance and distributed learning, varied techniques to promote mentoring, reflective discourse, collegial sharing, and dissemination of information. Research in current technologies informs the development of an online community of student choice.
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Design and Development
Constructivism and Technology*
This hands-on course covers the history of constructivism as a learning theory, constructivist teaching strategies, curriculum designs, assessment, and the appropriate uses of technology to support student-centered learning.
Website Design
Creation and management of web pages and websites, employs current tools and incorporates a full range of multimedia resources and content.
Professional Development Design**
Students prepare and deliver technology-focused professional development workshop units to an audience of adults from the community. Students are responsible for all aspects of workshop delivery, including planning and developing the content and pedagogy, invitations, publicity, logistical matters, presentation, and post-workshop evaluation.
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Curriculum and Pedagogy
Instructional Design, Curricula and Learning Theory*
This course focuses on combining state-of-the-art technology with the traditional principles of curriculum design and learning theory. Working in teams, students construct a learning project environment conductive to the skills appropriate to the age of the intended learners through technology.
Projects for K-7 Classrooms
Technology-based (including digital multimedia) projects and lessons, suitable for grades K-7, are created and critiqued. Resource rich and resource poor learning environments are considered.
Digital Media and Learning Practicum I*
Students create learning activities that employ digital media as a teaching and learning tool and then lead a group of learners through those activities. The course features cooperative planning, peer critiques, curriculum theory, and integration of technology into the curriculum. All course products authored by the learners and the USF students are accumulated and published on the course web site.
Digital Media and Learning Practicum II
This course builds upon and extends the learning of DML Practicum I.
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Management and Leadership
Information Systems in Educational Management
Ability to use any personal computer for word processing or other tasks. Examination of the uses of information in the management of educational institutions and issues administrators face in the management of information, including collection, storage, and dissemination. Focuses on integration and communications of information for decision-making. Includes an introduction to validity and reliability in tests and measurements; use of specific tools, such as school schedulers and student records; and human, technological, and legal issues in sharing information. Students will work in teams to develop "hands-on" projects.
Planning, Leading and Evaluating with Technology
Rapidly evolving communication and computer technologies can affect "school reform" directly or indirectly, intentionally or unintentionally, positively or negatively, depending on a multitude of social, economic, political, and technical issues. This course enables students to use technology to plan and evaluate instructional programs in diverse educational settings.
Research and Current Issues
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Technology and Diverse Learners*
The use of technology by diverse learners in the United States is the focus of this course. Students explore issues surrounding the use of computers and related digital media to enhance learning for all students. Through critical reading, the use of software and hands-on activities, students study the relationship between technology, equity, and the way access to digital tools changes culture, gender equity, inclusion, and educational computing as a social practice. This class is both theoretical and practical.
Current Issues, Trends and Research in Educational Computing*
Prerequisite: DML - 601. This course surveys contemporary research, issues, and trends in digital media, related learning technologies, and research paradigms, designs, and methods used in such investigations; includes practice in reviewing and critiquing published research and evaluation in the field of educational computing.
Fieldwork
DML Field Experience/Internship
Students may intern or conduct a project in a school, business, or other approved setting for a minimum of 30 hours per course unit. Approval of MET program advisor required.
DML Field Project/Thesis**
Students complete a field-based project or thesis on an approved topic related to education. A formal report or thesis is submitted as a culminating activity in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the masters' degree.
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Contemporary Topics
Directed Study
Independent, in-depth study of a specific educational topic may be designed to meet the research and practicum interest of the student.
Special Topics
Special topics in the area of Digital Media and Learning that reflect the rapid pace of change in the field.
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