MA Digital Technologies, Communication and Education / Course details

This course unit looks at the design and development of course level multimedia materials; exploring the role such materials might play in various classroom modalities (face-to-face, self-access and online). Participants will review existing materials and explore the literature and research available in this area. They will also develop a range of skills in the development of multimedia materials making use of a variety of digital tools.

EDUC77401 DTCE DL Conditions (Programme 05872 & 07737)

• develop an advanced knowledge and understanding of the role of multimedia in teaching and learning;
• provide opportunities to analyse and critically reflect on relevant research and theory in relevant subject
• areas and make use of it to inform the evaluation and development of multimedia materials for the classroom or online;
• provide the opportunity for the development of relevant skills in the development of multimedia learning materials.

The learning outcomes of the unit support the following student outcomes:

Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: By reflecting critically on the choice of tools and methods of delivery for multimedia materials, students will develop their ability to analyse problems and make informed decisions.

Research and Information Literacy: Situating multimedia materials within the broader context of research on multimedia and technology in education and society enhances students' research and information literacy skills.

Creativity and Innovation: Designing effective multimedia materials requires creativity and innovation. Students will develop these skills through the practical application of advanced knowledge and understanding of relevant research and theory.

Technical Skills: Through designing and developing multimedia materials and utilizing information and communication technologies (ICT), students will develop proficiency in digital media tools and technologies.

Adaptability and Flexibility: By designing and evaluating multimedia materials for specific contexts, students need to adapt technology design and reflect on appropriateness of technologies. By engaging with a diverse range of digital media and learning how to use them effectively according to the learning context, students develop adaptability and flexibility.

Overall, the intended learning outcomes of the unit on multimedia design and development not only equip students with design skills but also foster critical thinking, creativity, communication, and adaptability.

Lectures: 
This course unit is taught using a variety of different tools. For face-to-face (onsite) students in Manchester there are 10 x 2 hour teaching sessions mixing together the input and discussion of ideas as well as practical skills based sessions. There is a Blackboard space for discussion outside of the class and a linked wiki with accompanying materials. For distance learners, there is a set of input texts, videos and forum tasks, which support the students through the learning process. These are accessed via the central learning environmentBlackboard.

Online discussions: 
Onsite students will take part in online discussions and tasks between weeks. These will be accessed via our central learning environment.

Tutorials: 
There will be a number of tutorials focused on developing practical skills. Through these tutorials, students will learn to use various tools/software to create multimedia learning materials. 
 

 

• Reflect critically on the choice of development tools and methods of delivery for the materials;
• Situate the material within the broader context of research on multimedia and the role of technology in education and society.

• Critically evaluate web-based teaching and learning according to principles established from an understanding of relevant research and theory;
• Demonstrate the application of advanced knowledge and understanding of relevant research and theory to the design of multimedia materials.

• Design effective multimedia materials for an education context specified by the participants;
• Select, or create and make use of appropriate digital media.

• Enhanced skills in academic literacies including academic presentation, information processing (on- and offline) and online networking;
• Enhanced skills in designing and developing multimedia;
• Enhanced skills in using information and communication technologies (ICT);
• Enhanced skills in interpersonal and intercultural communication;
• Autonomy and enhanced metacognitive strategies with regard to study skills and further professional development

There will be 3 options of assessment for this unit

Feedback via Blackboard

Brown, A. H., & Green, T. D. (2024). The essentials of instructional design: Connecting  fundamental principles with process and practice. Routledge.

Clark, R. C., & Mayer, R. E. (2023). E-learning and the science of instruction: Proven guidelines for consumers and designers of multimedia learning. John Wiley & Sons.

Houser, M.L., & Hosek, A. (2017). Handbook of Instructional Communication
Rhetorical and Relational Perspectives. Routledge.

Mayer, R.E. (2021). Multimedia Learning-third edition. Cambridge: Cambridge University.

Mayer, R.E. and Fiorella, L. eds. (2022). The Cambridge handbook of multimedia learning. Third edition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Rogers, Y., Sharp, H., & Preece, J. (2023). Interaction design : beyond human-computer interaction (Sixth edition.). John Wiley & Sons, Inc.