Undergraduate and graduate students explore current and future technologies in the Instructional Technology division. Undergraduate teaching majors can specialize in this program with a minor emphasis in educational technology or media. Masters of Arts degrees are offered in Instructional Technology or Performance and Training Technology. PK-12 teachers and administrators can complete coursework to earn an Instructional Technology Facilitator Certificate.
Excellence in skill development
In the Instructional Technology classes, students learn about a wide variety of current and future technologies and how to include them in classroom instruction. Students have multiple opportunities to actively learn, such as:
- Creating web pages and brochures
- Learning audio/video production, digital photography, and principles of publication design
- Understanding how to integrate technology into all subject areas
- Designing effective classroom learning materials for all students
- Creating a digital portfolio that demonstrates one’s abilities and understanding.
Career opportunities
Undergraduate students preparing to be teachers will be users and leaders of technology in classrooms and schools. The Educational Technology Minor gives them one more way to demonstrate their teaching skills. The two graduate degree programs create opportunities in classrooms and in the business community. The Instructional Technology masters program prepares students for professional jobs in education settings including school buildings, school districts and alternative schools. The Performance and Training Technology program prepares students for jobs in corporate settings as instructional designer, trainer, media support specialist, web designer, or community college instructor.
Student leadership opportunities
UNI eTUG (educational technology user group) is a student-based group aimed at learning about ways technology is used in the classroom and beyond. Members learn through presentations, research and groups discussion. Then they share their technology knowledge with UNI’s Price Laboratory School and area schools to provide additional technology support.
Convenient graduate programs
Courses for both the Instructional Technology Performance and Training Technology masters degree are held via online classes or over the Iowa Communications Network (ICN). Evening classes and limited on-campus time make this program accessible for employed professionals. Students do not need to be licensed teachers for admission; their bachelor’s degree may be in any field.
Distance Learning Cohort Information
Excellence in faculty teaching, scholarship
Faculty members in this division have published articles on technology integration, distance learning, and emergent technologies in nationally known publications. Several have also written books on instructional technology topics. Their commitment to high standards of teaching led them to design their classes using the standards of several professional organizations. This presents a common language for students to use in their learning and a united approach to all class goals and objectives.
International partnerships
Graduate students and faculty in Instructional Technology take their expertise out of the country. Several graduate students provide workshops to university faculty in St. Petersburg, Russia. The division also partners with another UNI education department to provide an online master’s degree to classroom teachers at a school in England and one in Switzerland.
Program Requirements
(links to the UNI Catalog)
- Educational Technology Minor Requirements
- M.A. Instructional Technology Requirements
- M.A. Performance & Training Technology Requirements
