Online Masters in Educational Technology Degrees

Online masters in educational technology programs show you how to use technology for instructional design. Courses focus on mixing technology to create strong lesson plans and study data. This helps create better teachers and learning environments. Most programs also teach you how to use technology to help reach different learning styles.

Plus, choosing to earn your degree online gives you experience in how to use technology to learn. This may be of some help to you once you’ve earned your degree.

Did You Know?

91% of administrators say effective use of educational technology is a key part to their mission of high student achievement.

Different Online Masters in Educational Technology Degree Names

When you look at online masters degree programs in educational technology, you will come across a lot of new names. Each program is different, but they have many things that are the same. For instance, every program, no matter the name, shows you how you can use tools to make learning easier. However, each may have a unique focus and structure.

You can see some of the degree names that you may find in this list.

• Instructional Design and Technology
• Learning Design and Technology
• Teaching and Learning with Technology
• Educational Technology Leadership
• Instructional Technology
• Instructional Design for Online Learning
• Educational Technology
• Learning and Technology
• Education Innovation and Technology
• Technology Integration

What Is Instructional Design?

Instructional design is the creation and implementation of instructional materials. Curriculum and other materials are made to boost students learning. Typically, the end goal is there so that performance can be tracked. This also means that you can make fixes as you work through the course.

Educational technology is a part of instructional design. While they are similar, they are two distinct pieces of one and the same puzzle. For instance, educational technology has its focus on how to use technology to give students curriculum and learning materials that work for them. This means that educational technology is focused on the tools. On the other hand, instructional design is focused on the process.

What Are the Basics of Online Masters in Educational Technology?

Each online masters in educational technology program will have their own set of admissions rules. However, you normally need to have earned a bachelors degree from an accredited school. Most programs require that you earned your degree with a GPA of 2.3 or more.

Most masters degree programs are made for part-time students who work full-time. Most students can earn their masters in educational technology in one to three years. However, each school has its own admissions and graduation requirements. Now let's talk about the courses you may take while you earn your degree.

Educational Technology Curriculum

Educational technology curriculum is focused on teaching you how to use technology in the classroom. This could be used to work with students in a classroom or to train workers for organizations and businesses. Either way, technology can help with the learning process through interaction and mobility. Plus, you may be able to set it up to track data for each student. This may help you make custom plans for those who have different ways that they learn things.

Some of the common courses you may take while you earn your online educational technology masters degree include the names on the list shown here.

• Learning Through Technology
• Learning Theories and Instruction
• Curriculum Development
• Ethics, Culture, and Equity with Technology
• Multimedia Instructional Strategies and Methods
• Digital Literacies and New Media
• Integrating Technology into Data Assessment and Evaluation
• Leading Innovation and Implementing Change
• Collaborative Learning Environments
• Integrating Technology to Personalize Instruction

Check with each program for specific courses that they offer. It depends on the type of masters degree you choose to earn, so courses may also change from school to school.  

Different Types of Masters Degrees in Educational Technology

Typically, there are three types of masters degrees that schools offer in educational technology. Let's take a look at them now. 

• Masters of Education (MEd): Typically, when you earn an MEd in educational technology you see how to apply lessons in a work setting in leadership roles. 
• Masters of Science (MS): Most educational technology MS degrees focus on the on-the-job skills that you need to help you pursue a role in the field.
• Masters of Arts (MA): Students who earn an educational technology MA degree typically want to earn a doctorates degree or go on to do research.

Keep in mind that this is a broad sweep of the subject. And remember that each program is unique. That’s why it’s key that you research each school to find a perfect match for you.

List of Educational Technologies

There are many educational tools that can help out both the student and the teacher. Let's take a closer look at some of these tools now.

• Mobile Learning
• Cloud Computing
• Learning Analytics
• Mobile and Tablet Apps
• 3-D Printing
• Wearable Technology
• How to Use Games to Learn
• Many Others!

As technology will just grow more and more, there are a lot of ways that you can think of to use it in the classroom. When you earn your online masters in educational technology you have a chance to learn how to best use thes tools when you teach. That means you need to use curriculum, lessons, and learning materials that help people to learn. But it also includes how to use data and analytics to keep improving.

Possible Careers in Instructional Design and Technology

After you earn your online masters in educational technology, you may pursue a few different paths. Some, but not all of these jobs, typically look for candidates with a masters degree. That doesn’t mean that you need a masters for entry-level positions.ⁱ Now we will take a look at some of the roles that you may see outt there, as well as the 2015 median annual salary.

• Training and Development Specialist: $58,210ⁱⁱ
• Training and Development Manager: $102,640ⁱⁱⁱ
• Instructional Coordinator: $62,270^iv
• Elementary and Secondary School Administrator: $90,410^v
• Postsecondary Education Administrator: $88,580^vi

Some of these roles may want candidates with a PhD or with years of experience in the field.^vii In most of these roles, you will develop curriculum and coordinate implementation. Normally, you will also study the data and how to re-shape it as needed.^viii

Take the Next Step!

When you earn an online masters in educational technology you will see how to create strong lessons and learning materials with technology. We all use technology on a daily basis. And now it’s time to bring it to the classroom to help with learning strategies.

Click on any of the sponsored listings on this page to learn more about each program. This includes program descriptions, common courses that you may see, and their admissions requirements. You can even contact schools directly to request more information.