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Educational Technology

Wist 232
1776 University Avenue
Honolulu, HI 96822
Tel: (808) 956-7671
Fax: (808) 956-3905
E-mail: edtech-dept@hawaii.edu
Web: etec.hawaii.edu

Faculty

*C. Fulford, PhD (Chair)—instructional development and design
*C. Ho, PhD—instructional technology and design
*E. Hoffman, EdD—educational leadership
*G. Z. Kucera, PhD—communications and sociology
P. Leong, PhD—travel industry, educational technology
*P. B. McKimmy, EdD—educational leadership
*M. Menchaca, EdD—educational technology
*S. F. Yamashita, PhD—curriculum design and evaluation

Cooperating Graduate Faculty

E. B. Klemm, EdD—curriculum development
D. Lassner, PhD—computer systems, data communication
T. W. Speitel, PhD—computer communications, curriculum research and development

Degree Offered: MEd in educational technology

The Academic Program

This nationally accredited program prepares students to create resources for teaching and learning through diverse media. Educational Technology (ETEC) provides theoretical knowledge and scientific principles that can be applied to problems that arise in a social context. It prepares individuals to devise effective messages, teams, materials, devices, techniques, and settings. It involves the study of theory and practice of design, development, utilization, management, and evaluation of processes and resources for learning.

Practitioners in educational technology, whether they are teachers, trainers, developers, administrators, or support personnel, seek innovative and effective ways of organizing the teaching and learning process through the best possible application of technological developments. Individuals from diverse backgrounds can immediately apply what they learn to their particular context. Upon graduation, these new professionals will have a clearer vision of how they can prepare learners for the future. ETEC graduates are found in many learning environments including K-12 and higher education, government, business, industry, and health occupations.

Advising

After reviewing the departmental information (available from etec.hawaii.edu) describing the educational technology program, prospective applicants should confer with the department chair to obtain further amplification of admission requirements. In particular, an early but tentative assessment of the applicant’s background should be attempted, as departmental specifications may necessitate early (i.e., pre-admission) registration in prerequisite courses.

Preregistration is mandatory each semester for educational technology majors, and the department schedules specific days and times for this purpose. Continuous enrollment in the program is required, but majors who have already advanced to candidacy may request a leave of absence for not more than two consecutive semesters.

The importance of careful planning of courses and program requirements, through consultation with the department chair and the student’s major advisor, cannot be overemphasized. The admission to and start of the student’s participation in the program is possible only in the fall semester. A prescribed set of four core courses (two fall, two spring) is required during the first year. A culminating course can only take place during the final spring semester.

Efficient scheduling of courses and resources necessitates that either a two- or three-year program plan be developed by each student at the time of admission.

Graduate Study

The graduate program in educational technology involves a broad view of technologies applicable to educational and instructional situations. Thus, the program does not emphasize mechanical or electronic devices, which are often equated with technology, but deals with larger issues of systematic application of knowledge to such practical tasks as planning, designing, implementing, and evaluating different strategies for an effective and efficient teaching/learning process. When such a view is espoused, the “devices” become an integral part of the various strategies.

Objectives

The department has set the following objectives for its graduate students based on national standards for accreditation:

  1. Design – Proficiency in instructional design, the systematic approach to designing educational/ instructional systems, materials, and processes, including analyzing, designing, developing, implementing, and evaluating.
  2. Development – Demonstration of major instructional models and their technological applications to develop instructional materials and experiences using print, multimedia, computer-based, and integrated technologies.
  3. Utilization – Application of principles and theories of media utilization, diffusion, implementation, and policymaking, as well as, the attitudes, ethics, and, interpersonal and communication skills required for active involvement in appropriate professional organizations and community services.
  4. Management – Ability to plan, organize, coordinate, and supervise instructional technology by applying principles of project, resource, delivery system, and information management.
  5. Evaluation – Capability of planning and executing research using knowledge of the existing body of research in the field, and, ability to evaluate the adequacy of instruction and learning by applying principles of problem analysis, criterion-referenced measurement, formative and summative evaluation, and long-range planning.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the educational technology program is only in the fall semester. Applications may be filed with the Graduate Division beginning October 1 until the deadline of March 1 for the following fall semester. The general graduate admission requirements of UH Manoa are augmented by the Department of Educational Technology, which will evaluate applications according to the following criteria:

  1. Admission to the program is highly competitive, so the mere meeting of the established criteria does NOT guarantee admission.
  2. Educational technology is a professional area that needs infusion of individuals who have the commitment and dedication to make the field their career choice. All students must commit to taking the prescribed set of four core courses (two fall, two spring) during their first year.
  3. All applicants must submit the score of the Writing Test from the Praxis I series (ETS).
  4. Students from foreign countries must submit the results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The minimum score is 600, representing approximately the 77th percentile rank.
  5. A personal interview may be scheduled if faculty members need additional information directly from the applicant. All prospective students from other states and foreign countries should submit an approximately 10-minute-long video on which the applicant presents personal, academic, and professional background and long-range professional plan information. The video must be in the NTSC standard.
  6. Three letters of recommendation, to be submitted with the application for admission, should evaluate the applicant’s potential in the field of educational technology, not only his or her academic abilities to do graduate work.
  7. All applicants are encouraged to submit additional materials, documentation, or samples of work relevant to the evaluation and selection process.

The department has specified certain areas of knowledge and skills as necessary background for entry into the program. Deficiencies are identified during the selection process, will be specified on the admission letter, and should be removed prior to enrolling in ETEC courses or during the first fall semester of registration.

Master’s Degree

Major Requirements

The graduate program requires a minimum of 36 semester credit hours, with eight required and four elective ETEC courses.

The set of required ETEC courses provides each educational technology major with a solid foundation in technology, instructional psychology, and research, including critical assessment of past research and understanding of discernible research trends. Coupled with such knowledge is the preparation for practical application of both the theories and research and evaluation methodologies particularly appropriate to educational technology. After the four core courses have been completed, each student will be given a general departmental examination to determine whether advancement to candidacy should be recommended. The oral examination ascertains whether the student is making satisfactory academic progress and whether he or she is prepared academically and in other ways for the continuation of the studies. Poise, personal characteristics, attitude, and communication skills are significant components in the overall evaluation. At least three faculty members will administer the examination. If advancement to candidacy is recommended, a permanent advisor will be assigned to the candidate. Upon advancement to candidacy, three additional requirements will provide a practicum experience, an advanced seminar, and a culminating course (taken the final spring semester).

ETEC Courses