Postgraduate Module Descriptor

EFPM316: Digital Futures for Education

This module descriptor refers to the 2020/1 academic year.

Module Aims

Through an exploration and discussion of theoretical, professional and practical applications of new technology in education, the module aims to develop your critical understanding of how technology shapes education, both now and in the future.  There is a strong focus on the social nature of learning with new technology and you will familiarize yourself with a range of digital tools for education, such as twitter, blogging and wikis as well as asynchronous discussions and digital games. You will be strongly encouraged to reflect on and link back your ideas to your own practice and experiences.

Specifically the module will enable you to:

develop a conceptual, critical and experiential understanding of the social nature of learning with new technology;

identify possible affordances of technological tools for teaching and learning;

identify and interpret educational theory and research and relate this to educational practice with new technology;

identify and interpret evidence and discuss this in the context of academic and professional reading work independently and with originality;

develop a critical understanding of ethical issues involved in teaching and learning with new technology

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here - you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills1. demonstrate a systematic understanding of theoretical perspectives and practical concerns in the area of educational technology;
2. demonstrate a critical understanding of the nature of learning processes around new technology, with a specific focus on social aspects of teaching and learning;
3. demonstrate an ability to critically reflect on the affordances of technological tools for teaching and learning;
4. demonstrate an ability to synthesise relevant theoretical perspectives and arguments in current debates about core dilemmas in educational technology;
Discipline-Specific Skills5. identify systematically and evaluate insightfully current research and advanced scholarship relevant to the field of educational technology, creativity and thinking;
6. explore critically the multiple lenses through which educational technology can be interpreted and developed;
7. evaluate and critique ideas and concepts encountered on the pathway in the light of different theoretical approaches;
8. apply theoretical insights, through critical reflection, to your study of the pathway;
Personal and Key Skills9. demonstrate the ability to identify and critically discuss current issues in educational technology;
10. demonstrate the ability to construct organised, structured, critically reflective and analytic writing;
11. demonstrate the ability to manage time and engagement in the context of masters level study that has a high level of independent study;
12. demonstrate the ability to take the initiative in contributing collaboratively in interactive learning contexts; and
13. demonstrate communication skills both oral and written and in on-line contexts.