MA Digital Technologies, Communication and Education / Course details

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.

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

• 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.

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.

• 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.

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.