• Philosophy and Focus
• Emphases and Requirements

Philosophy

The prominent teaching/learning method used within our ILT program is founded upon student research and apprenticeship.

First, research serves as the backbone of our students' acquisition of knowledge. Under the mentoring of our faculty, it is the individual student who is responsible for generating and applying new ideas, theories, and methodologies.

Second, students learn from apprenticeship activities that are based upon real world experience. We believe that ideas which are embedded in experience are critical to the students' understanding and ability to use those ideas in a meaningful context.

Our goal is to assist the student in his/her educational journey towards becoming a self motivated and disciplined problem solver.

Focus

The focus of ILT is to incorporate current technologies into the learning/instructional methodologies which govern knowledge and skill acquisition. Examples of these technologies and/or the areas of their application include:

• Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI)
• Multimedia
• Interactive Videodisc
• Simulations & Games
• Programmed Instruction
• CD-ROM & Computer Technologies
• Instructional Television
• Instructional Design Technologies
• Library/Information Science

Our current Information and Learning Technologies (ILT) program grew out of a former course of study in Instructional Technology (IT). The rationale for this shift from IT to ILT was largely due to our evolving philosophy which encompasses a variety of cognitive and information technologies that extend beyond the traditional bounds of Instructional Technology.

Emphases

There are four emphasis areas within our ILT program:

• Corporate Instructional Development and Training
• Information and Learning Technologies, Library Media
• Interactive Technologies Design
• Instructional Computing

• To receive a Masters of Arts degree within the ILT program, all emphasis areas require at least 36 semester hours of credit for completion (approximately 15 hours from a required core of coures, 18 hours of electives specific to the student's needs and interests, and 3 hours for a terminal project).

• The time duration for a student to complete the program is largely dependent upon the number of courses taken per semester. Given the number of courses offered each year, however, a part-time student can complete the program in two and one-half years.

• All students in the Information and Learning Technologies program are expected to show a strong commitment to the program and to maintain high academic and ethical standards. Unprofessional conduct can be adequate cause for discipline or dismissal from the program.

• Much of the instruction within our ILT program is directly or indirectly computer based. E-mail and telecommunications networks play a large role in the learning strategies within our classes. While the ILT program offers labs and computer facilities, it is highly recommended that you have off-campus access to a computer and modem.

For further program information, consult The Student Handbook Online or Student Advising: FAQs.

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