Triangle

Course overview

Our MA Digital Teaching and Learning (online) course aims to strengthen your understanding of learning in the digital age and explore how digital technology can transform the teaching and learning experience.

This online course increases your knowledge of digital technologies as resources for learning. You will evaluate the use of such technologies in educational contexts and assess how new learning technology can be implemented at a variety of levels in both formal and informal education.

You will also analyse contemporary ideas and theories about learning from both cognitive and socio-cultural perspectives, then consider these against the wider social debates that impact on technology enhanced learning.

It is ideal for working teachers who want to gain an advanced understanding of how digital technologies could be used in the classroom, or wish to go onto a PhD.

This course is informed by the work of the Learning Sciences Research Institute and draws on expertise from psychology, computer science and education. It provides a unique perspective on the theories that underpin successful learning, teaching and innovation within the fast-moving digital world.

With an advanced education degree from the University of Nottingham, you will graduate with all the knowledge, practical skills and confidence to pursue your career goals.

We also offer a face-to-face version of this course, studying in Nottingham – MA Digital Teaching and Learning

Alumni profile

View our alumni profiles to see what previous students they say about their experience of the course. 

Why choose this course?

Only UK course

certified by the NAPLeS from the International Society of the Learning Sciences

Network of Academic Programs in the Learning Sciences (NAPLeS)

Study fully online

Learn in an interactive digital learning environment and study when it suit you

Top 50

in the world for education

QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023

Learn from experts

who are internationally recognised for their research in this area

Over 100 years

of experience in the field of education

Excellent research

The majority of our research outputs are assessed as internationally excellent.

Research Excellence Framework

Course content

The taught element of the course is made up of 120 credits, plus a 60-credit dissertation. It can be completed part-time over approximately two years, with a further eight months for the dissertation.

Course reading

Course leader

Dr Pryce Davis (contact for academic enquiries)

Modules

Core modules

Learning Theories for a Digital Age

This module looks at how people learn and how learning is supported in a digital age. It explores current and historical theories of learning and how they inform the design of learning technologies. It will help you understand the potential of digital technology for learning in a variety of contexts (such as schools, colleges, workplaces, museums, both face-to-face and online) and help you develop an ability to critically reflect on examples of learning technologies in current use.

Social Contexts of Learning

This module focuses on how people learn together in pairs, teams, small groups, the classroom, or an informal community. It works through classical and modern theories of social learning, explaining the social aspects of almost any type of learning and mechanisms that boost the power of learning together.

Equipped with these theories, it explores the various technologies mediating and supporting social learning, such as social media, participation in the World Wide Web, online communities, online communication platforms and virtual reality.

Digital Teaching and Learning Research Methods

This module focuses on developing an understanding of the tools, methods, and cultural characteristics of conducting research on learning. It will help you how to design research to understand and evaluate current and future examples of digital teaching and learning. It covers a variety of data collections techniques (such as experiments, surveys, interviews and observations) as well as quantitative and qualitative data analysis.

The Future of Digital Education

This module looks at how digital technologies are changing how we teach and learn. It explores learning tools such as mobile phones, virtual learning environments, serious games, robotics, and immersive/augmented reality environments.

It will help you understand how to choose appropriate digital tools, how to support students to learn with them both face-to-face and online, and what the future of teaching and learning might look like.

Dissertation

This involves the researching and writing of a substantive piece of scholarship within the field of the course.

You will choose a topic in consultation with your course leader and an appropriate supervisor. The topic will normally be based on interests and skills you have developed in the course of the modules already studied.

The above is a sample of the typical modules we offer but is not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules that will be available in any given year. Modules (including methods of assessment) may change or be updated, or modules may be cancelled, over the duration of the course due to a number of reasons such as curriculum developments or staffing changes. Please refer to the module catalogue for information on available modules. This content was last updated on Monday 05 June 2023.

Learning and assessment

How you will learn

  • Distance learning materials
  • Tutorials
  • Independent study

We hope that you will enjoy the flexibility of studying online, enabling you to attend to modules and engage with materials at times to fit around your other commitments. Online modules on our courses are managed through the Moodle virtual learning environment (VLE) and combine module content, reading lists and materials, online activities, discussion forums and access to tutors.

Our interactive virtual learning environment includes text, audio and video materials, online discussions and reflective tasks. The programme is designed so that you can work at your own pace in an asynchronous way, within the study plan and assignment timetable for each module.

For each module, you will have an academic tutor who will be active online. They contribute to discussions as well as supporting you through the assessment process. There is an online masters-level toolkit to support all aspects of academic study, a dissertation preparation module available to you from the beginning of the course, and one-to-one dissertation support from your supervisor, usually via Microsoft Teams.

To ensure you have the appropriate computer requirements to enable you to study online, please view our computer specification guidance notes (PDF).

How you will be assessed

  • Dissertation
  • Portfolio (written/digital)
  • Assignments
  • Presentations

Each 30-credit module is assessed by the equivalent of a 6,000-word written portfolio, which can include argumentative essays, reflective narratives, design descriptions, and data analysis. To complete the masters, you must achieve a pass of 50% on each assignment.

Contact time and study hours

You will typically take two modules a year for two years, and conclude with your dissertation. Each module requires an equivalent of 10-12 of study per week, and some activities are collaborative and will need regular online presence by arrangement. You are expected to undertake directed private study at other times.

Entry requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2023 entry.

Undergraduate degree2:2 (or international equivalent)
Work experience

An interest in how you can use digital technologies to transform teaching and learning is important. Otherwise, some previous experience of teaching can also be helpful (this could be at any level, country or sector and could be paid or voluntary). Other examples of useful experience or interest include education management or administration, software development, social science research, or design of learning technologies

Applying

Course start date Course application deadline
4 September 2023 4 August 2023

Recognition of other Learning (ROL)

If you have prior learning or experience at an appropriate level, you may apply for exemption from some of the credit requirements of the course. Applications for ROL should be made at the time of application for admission to the university and at least four weeks before the start of the course. Applications for ROL are processed free of charge. Late applications will not be considered. Please visit the School of Education ROL pages for full information and how to apply.

Our step-by-step guide covers everything you need to know about applying.

How to apply
Distance learning

Where you will learn

Distance learning

Distance learning is designed to be flexible, so you can choose where and when you study. This allows you to fit your course around work or other commitments and study at your own pace.

Our online teaching is an interactive learning experience. You will receive support from your dedicated tutor, who will guide you through your studies and answer any questions.

Fees

Qualification MA
Home / UK £9,225
International £14,000

Additional information for international students

If you are a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you may be asked to complete a fee status questionnaire and your answers will be assessed using guidance issued by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) .

These fees are for full-time study. If you are studying part-time, you will be charged a proportion of this fee each year (subject to inflation).

Additional costs

All students will need at least one device to approve security access requests via Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). We also recommend students have a suitable laptop to work both on and off-campus. For more information, please check the equipment advice.

As a student on this course, you should factor some additional costs into your budget, alongside your tuition fees and living expenses.

You should be able to access all of the readings you’ll need through our e-libraries. However, you may wish to purchase your own copies of a research method textbook (we estimate this to be less than £75).

As an online learner, you will benefit from having access to your own computer and possibly a smart phone. The school covers the cost of a DBS check if required.

Funding

Careers

We offer individual careers support for all postgraduate students.

Expert staff can help you research career options and job vacancies, build your CV or résumé, develop your interview skills and meet employers.

Each year 1,100 employers advertise graduate jobs and internships through our online vacancy service. We host regular careers fairs, including specialist fairs for different sectors.

International students who complete an eligible degree programme in the UK on a student visa can apply to stay and work in the UK after their course under the Graduate immigration route. Eligible courses at the University of Nottingham include bachelors, masters and research degrees, and PGCE courses.

Graduate destinations

This course provides a solid grounding for a career in education, training, educational technology or further research. Recent graduates have gone on to have a variety of roles, such as counsellors, education advisers, language tutors, primary/secondary teachers and vocational/industrial trainers and instructors.

Many of our graduates are already in employment while undertaking part-time study for professional development in their chosen career.

Career progression

87.8% of postgraduates from the School of Education secured graduate level employment or further study within 15 months of graduation. The average annual salary for these graduates was £26,130.*

* HESA Graduate Outcomes 2019/20 data published in 2022. The Graduate Outcomes % is derived using The Guardian University Guide methodology. The average annual salary is based on graduates working full-time, postgraduate, home graduates within the UK.

Two masters graduates proudly holding their certificates
" The future of teaching and learning is being created right now as new educators and researchers put their minds to the task of imagining and designing digital tools to explore and foster new forms and configurations for how people can learn. I’m proud to help guide students who want to be on the forefront of exploring how digital technologies can embody theories of learning to expand our understanding and open new directions for education in the 21st century and beyond. "
Dr Pryce Davis, Course Leader

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This content was last updated on Monday 05 June 2023. Every effort has been made to ensure that this information is accurate, but changes are likely to occur given the interval between the date of publishing and course start date. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply.