MA Digital Technologies, Communication and Education / Course details

Year of entry: 2024

Course description

Digital Technologies, Communication and Education (DTCE) is a distinguished, award-winning programme with a rich history spanning nearly twenty years. We are proud of the transformative impact our programme has had on the careers and lives of our alumni, many of whom are now doing innovative work in the field of digital education.

The programme equips students with the knowledge and skills to thrive in the digital age, tailored to empower a diverse range of professionals: teachers, lecturers, administrators, managers, e-learning designers, trainers, and all those passionate about education.

As we navigate through the digital transformation, this programme provides you with a profound understanding of the dynamic environment that permeates both our personal and professional lives. By integrating theory with practical, real-world insights, our programme equips you with the necessary competencies to navigate, evaluate, and shape the digital future of education.

Whether your goal is to further your career, enrich your understanding of digital education, or position yourself at the forefront of educational innovation, our MA in Digital Technologies, Communication, and Education empowers you to release your potential in this digitally connected world.

Aims

You will:

  • Develop interpersonal and group communication abilities to enable independent learning, collaboration, and informed decision-making through reflection on your own practice.
  • Build confidence and expertise in designing innovative educational materials using digital technologies and pedagogies.
  • Critically evaluate uses of digital technologies in both formal and informal educational settings, relating this to your own needs and practice.
  • Systematically understand and critically assess research and methodologies relevant to digital technologies in education, applying this knowledge in research projects.
  • Manage rapid technological change and analyse its impacts on educational processes, institutions and policies

Special features

  • Interdisciplinary focus - The program combines perspectives from education, technology, communication, sociology, and other fields for a comprehensive understanding of learning with technology.
  • Global orientation - The use of educational technology is presented as an international phenomenon, with students encouraged to apply concepts to their home countries and share experiences.
  • Customization - Students have flexibility to pursue topics of personal interest, create career-relevant projects, and tailor their dissertation research.
  • Hands-on technology skills - Along with theory, students gain practical experience with multimedia, coding, mobile apps, video production, and other technologies to enhance competencies.
  • Communication emphasis - The program highlights the role of communication in teaching and covers skills like teamwork, problem-solving, presenting, and effective online and face-to-face communication.
  • Critical perspective - Students learn when not to use technology, critically evaluating its management and effects rather than just gaining tech skills.
  • Forward-looking - The course emphasizes understanding rapid technological change and its emerging impact on education policy, institutions, and practice.
  • Research-focused - As a research-based program, it provides grounding in academic literature and rigorous research methods for the field.

Teaching and learning

The MA in Digital Technologies, Communication and Education employs an innovative approach to developing students' knowledge and skills. Interactive sessions blend lecturer input, collaborative exercises, simulations, and class discussions to actively engage learners.

An emphasis on critical reflection and enquiry-based learning encourages students to examine their own professional practice and beliefs in relation to theory and research.

Students gain hands-on experience with multimedia design, mobile technologies, collaboration software, video production, and other digital tools to enhance their competencies. However, the program looks beyond technical skills to critically evaluate technology's role in communication, management, ethics, and emerging issues reshaping education.

The dissertation enables students to pursue original research related to their interests and career goals. Throughout the programme, an emphasis on reflective practice, transferable skills development, and understanding of technological change promotes lifelong learning capabilities. Students develop greater confidence in innovating with technology, while discerning when restraint improves outcomes.

The programme aims to cultivate adaptable, critically reflective professionals ready to navigate the exciting changes in our digitally connected world of education.

Coursework and assessment

The MA programme employs a variety of assessments to evaluate student learning. These include:
  • Practical project work such as designing educational multimedia materials, developing a group podcast, or producing an educational video.
  • Written assignments like literature reviews or self-reflective essays
  • Appraising existing software, websites, or educational initiatives.
  • Analyzing case studies of technology integration in schools or educational settings.
  • Collaborative group work and presentations.

For the dissertation, students can pursue either a traditional research project reporting empirical findings or theoretical analysis, or take a more practical approach of designing and evaluating an educational technology intervention.

Course unit list

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
Educational Technology and Communication EDUC70141 30 Mandatory
Digital Education Research 1 EDUC70441 15 Mandatory
Digital Education Research 2 EDUC71272 15 Mandatory
Digital Education Research 2 (Distance Learning) EDUC77012 15 Mandatory
Digital Education Research (Distance Learning) EDUC77081 15 Mandatory
Educational Technology and Communication (Distance) EDUC77301 30 Mandatory
Theories of Teaching and Learning EDUC60491 15 Optional
Intro to Educational Video Production EDUC61632 15 Optional
Digital Media and Information Literacy EDUC61712 15 Optional
Blended Learning in a Digital Age EDUC70032 15 Optional
Teaching and Learning Online EDUC70050 15 Optional
Language Learning and Technology EDUC70061 15 Optional
Multimedia Design and Development EDUC70511 15 Optional
Introduction to Sustainability Education EDUC70661 15 Optional
Intercultural Engagement at Work and in Communities EDUC71232 15 Optional
AI Perspectives on Learning EDUC71242 15 Optional
Learning Design and Technology Practices EDUC71261 15 Optional
Blended Learning in a Digital Age (Distance) EDUC77022 15 Optional
Intro to Educational Video Production (Distance) EDUC77032 15 Optional
Teaching and Learning Online (Distance) EDUC77042 15 Optional
Intercultural Engagement at Work and in Communities (Distance) EDUC77060 15 Optional
Digital Media and Information Literacy (Distance Learning) EDUC77082 15 Optional
Digital Education Futures (Distance Learning) EDUC77091 15 Optional
Learning Design and Technology Practices (Distance Learning) EDUC77111 15 Optional
Multimedia Design and Development (Distance Learning) EDUC77401 15 Optional
Theories of Teaching and Learning (Distance) EDUC77501 15 Optional
AI Perspectives on Learning (Distance Learning) EDUC77602 15 Optional
Introduction to Sustainability Education (Distance Learning) EDUC77801 15 Optional
Displaying 10 of 28 course units

Facilities

The course is taught by the Manchester Institute of Education (MIE) which has its own Student Hub. Here you'll find all your teaching staff and support staff as well as a place to relax with fellow students.

MIE is based in the University's Ellen Wilkinson building, which is centrally located on the University's Oxford Road campus, close to the Main Library, Alan Gilbert Learning Commons and the Students' Union.

Disability support

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service. Email: dass@manchester.ac.uk