Latest Instructional Technology News

GRA Kelly Unger walks for cancer

Kelley Unger, an IT PhD student and Graduate Research Assistant, walks for cancer August 14-16. For more information, see the 3-Day Walk website. Kelly also organized a softball tournament the weekend of August 8 and raised over $7,000 for cancer.

New ID Emphasis

The new Instructional Design emphasis is designed for those interest in obtaining employment or advancement in non-school settings specifically in the area of instructional design.

For more information, visit the M.Ed page.

 

Enhancement Grant

On September 13, 2005 Provost Nancy S. Barrett announced the university has provided a Graduate Program Enhancement Award of $250,000 in funding per year to the Instructional Technology Program of the College of Education. This was one of six doctoral programs selected as this year's award recipients. Each Dean of the University's 11 school and colleges were allowed to nominate one program for the Enhancement competition. Dean Wood of the College of Education nominated the IT program, and the program area then submitted a proposed specific plan to the Provost for program improvement.

The Instructional Technology Program's proposal had a theme of distance education and doctoral student support. As a result of this award, an additional IT faculty member will be hired to complement the three added to the program staff this year. In addition, four graduate assistantships will be filled each year. These funds are designed to: 1) facilitate the recruitment of doctoral students on a national and international level, 2) to support initiation of online programs in IT, and 3) to support research in the design and development of technology-based instruction and delivery processes.

In lieu of a faculty member for the 2005-2006 academic year, the funds are being used to establish a high-end instructional design and development laboratory with state-of-the-art equipment and software for use in constructing distance learning materials. Beginning Fall, 2006, the program will offer its first completely online program – a Master's Degree with an Emphasis in K-12 Technology Integration. The first graduate research assistants will be selected for Winter, 2006, and a search is currently underway for faculty member with expertise in the interactive technologies and technology integration.

The Graduate Program Enhancement Awards are part of President Irvin D. Reid's broader vision for the university. "To advance graduate education at WSU, we need to sharpen the research focus of some of our best programs and build on our strengths," says Barrett. “Quality programs are the only way we can attract and retain superior faculty and provide students with the cutting-edge training that they need to be competitive in a knowledge-based economy and society.” This is the second year Wayne State has provided enhancement awards to graduate programs.

 

WSU's College of Education has been approved to grant the Michigan Educational Technology Endorsement. This 18 credit hour credential recognizes skills in using technology to improve the teaching and learning process in schools. Review the program details and talk with an advisor about adding this credential.

Dates for the Fall ED 7999 are set.

New and Revised Course Offerings

The IT program is offering several new and revised courses that further expand the options available to our students. If you have the opportunity to compare WSU's IT course offerings with those of other universities, you will quickly conclude that our students have many more choices than those at most other schools.

IT 7510, Simulations for Learning, explores the development of simulations to support learning, transfer, and performance improvement. Students will design and develop both face-to-face and digital simulations, for processes and devices. IT 7140 is prerequisite. Students in all three areas of emphasis may incude IT 7510 in their programs. Dr. Tim Spannaus developed this course.

IT 7130, Facilitation of Learningin Online, Face-to-Face and Blended Courses , formerly Effective Presentations, has been extensively revised to include face-to-face, distance, and blended learning situations.

 

IT Home | About the IT Dept. | Graduate Programs | Admissions | Course Info | Faculty | Program Resources | Professional Development | FAQ | Research Initiatives | Site Map

This web site is best viewed at 800 x 600 resolution or higher, with IE 4.0+ or Netscape 4.7+, with JavaScript enabled.
Any suggestions? E-mail the Webmaster.