Program Overview

Program Type and Format

• Major
• Format: On Campus, Online
• Estimated time to complete: 3-5 years
• Credit Hours: 60 (with master's) or 72 (with bachelor's)

Program Description

The Ph.D. in Learning Technologies focuses on understanding and expanding the synergy of technology and learning/instructional systems theory. Graduates of the program are prepared to accept appointments at universities and organizations whose mission is the creation, instruction, or testing of innovative applications of instructional and educational technology in academic and corporate settings.

Requirements

• A strong foundation in computing and information/cognitive science, learning theory and education.
• Mentoring from faculty members and professionals in the field.
• An option to complete work for a master’s degree in Learning Technologies while working toward your doctoral degree.
• The opportunity to build a portfolio of academic writing, creative work and service demonstrating student skills to future employers after graduation.

Marketable Skills

• Evaluation of instructional designs
• Teamwork
• Research synthesis, management, and interpretation
• Dissemination of research project findings
• Consulting and innovative product design

Program Highlights

• Residency students meet for courses at the state-of-the-art UNT Discovery Park.
• Students participating in the distance option take online courses throughout the year and attend a mandatory yearly face-to-face meeting during the fall.
• The annual meeting is held in conjunction with a major conference when possible.

Career Opportunities

Graduates work as faculty, teachers, instructional designers, directors of distance education, technology coordinators, trainers, and other positions in the instructional, educational, and learning technology fields.

Sample Courses

Theories of Instructional Technology (3 hrs)

Examination and understanding of the underlying philosophical approaches to learning and the paradigms that guide instructional design. How the use of computing and other technologies are enabled within each paradigm.

Emerging Technologies in Education (3 hrs)

Investigation of the challenges and opportunities emerging technologies in educational environments. Emphasis on understanding their use to meet educational needs and goals.

Artificial Intelligence Applications (3 hrs)

Theoretical and practical educational applications of AI are discussed. Topics studied include neural computing, social issues in AI, natural language processing and robotics.

Creating Technology-Based Learning Environments (3 hrs)

Study of the design and development of technology-infused learning environments. Develops understanding of constructivist philosophy of keeping students active, constructive, collaborative, intentional, complex, contextual, conversational and reflective.

Developing Funding Opportunities in Learning Technologies (3 hrs)

The ideal grant is a match between the needs of an organization and the desires of a funding agency. Students examine grants from both viewpoints and build on that knowledge to write effective grant proposals. In addition to investigating some of the logistics of grant-writing, this course examines the relationship between a granting agency and its recipients.

Philosophy of Computing in Learning Technologies (3 hrs)

Examination of the philosophical underpinnings of use of computers in learning technologies: why we are interested in this technology; what we hope to accomplish; intended and unintended changes that occur by its use.