Five Easy Pieces: Today, around 50 Higher Education Institutions Provide Online Graduate Programs in Educational Technology. How Can You Decide Which One Is Right for You? Experts Identify Five Elements for an Online Master's in Ed Tech Program

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] TWENTY-FOUR YEARS AGO, at a time when many would have struggled to describe internet in even most conceptual terms, George Washington University (DC) launched its online Educational Technology Leadership Program, one of first of its kind. Today, online directory GetEducated.com lists nearly 50 online graduate programs in educational Their popularity continues to grow along with demand for educators who are prepared to use new technologies in teaching and administration. At same time, a number of issues animate discussion around educational technology that were not even a consideration a quarter of a century ago. What makes for an effective online master's program in ed tech has clearly evolved over years. T.H.E. Journal Contributing Editor Jan Fletcher spoke with instructors and administrators in online ed tech programs and identified five critical elements of any online master's programs in education technology that you should look for when evaluating which program might be right one for you. 1) The Right Focus Master's programs in educational technology vary in their academic focus from institution to institution. Make sure program you're investigating covers what you want to learn. Some [programs] will lead you toward designing learning technology or designing says Cindy Pancer, an instructor for Jones International University, in Centennial, CO. Yet, teachers may be more interested in promoting integration of technology in classroom instruction, or providing alternatives for K-12 students to enhance their learning using technology. Regardless of specific focus, Pancer advises that program should at very least address in its curriculum International Society for Technology in Education's (ISTE) national standards for teachers, which describe the fundamental concept, knowledge, skills, and attitude for applying technology in educational settings (available online at iste.org/standards.aspx). 2) Strong Onboarding Process Onboarding, a term often used to describe process of shepherding a new employee into an organization or school, also could be used to encapsulate entire process of acclimating a new student to an online program's social structure. There should be something intentional about way you get onboarded, says Sue Talley, an associate dean in School of Undergraduate Studies at Capella University, an online institution based in Minneapolis. Talley adds that research has shown that creating a sense of engagement for students in first few weeks is very important. For example, a program might bring new students together for an initial in-person meet-up, or invite everyone to join a special LinkedIn group that can be used to make introductions and network with one another. Students who are new to online learning may have a preconceived notion that it is a very asocial experience, Talley says, actual experience is much richer, because we're bringing people together. Additionally, if new-student orientation does include an in-person orientation, that opportunity for creating a sense of camaraderie should not be squandered on imparting core knowledge more readily available by disseminating a PDF, book, or video, says Mark Stevens of National Education Association and general manager of NEA Academy in Washington, DC, which has recently conducted research on online ed tech programs (see Elements of an Effective Ed-Tech Program below). That isn't best use of your time in a face-to-face environment, be says. 3) Community Engagement Those looking for a quality graduate educational technology program might consider it an honor to be accepted at a high-profile institution like Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Stanford University (CA), but they shouldn't automatically assume those are places that will best support you as a learner. …