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Course overview

Our MA Digital Teaching and Learning (online) course aims to strengthen your understanding of learning in the digital age. You will examine the underpinning theories of learning and evaluate existing research to be able to make informed decisions about the section of specific digital technologies. 

This online course is ideal for working teachers who want to gain an advanced understanding of how digital technologies could be used in the classroom, or want 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.

We ensure you remain up to date with the latest innovations. For example, there may be the opportunity to participate in the largest educational technology trade show in Europe.

This course is also offered as a face-to-face 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 at your own pace

Top 50

in the world for education

QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021

Learn from experts

who are internationally recognised for their research in this area

200 years

of experience in the field of education

3rd in the UK

with 84% of research considered world-leading or internationally excellent

Research Excellence Framework

Course content

This online course aims to increase 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. 

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

Tutors

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.

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.

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.

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 Tuesday 01 June 2021.

Learning and assessment

How you will learn

  • Seminars
  • Lectures
  • Group study

You will study online through the University’s virtual learning environment, Moodle. You will engage with a wide range of digital platforms and learn through:

  • online and part-time study
  • interaction with specialist tutors and resources
  • experience of a range of technologies
  • supported self-study and collaborative activities

You will be supported by involvement in an online community of practice and personalised guidance for your academic writing.

Our online materials provide an interactive learning experience and allow you to study at your own pace. You will be encouraged to interact with other course participants, and each module will involve group activities such as using blogs, wikis and discussion boards. This course does not simply teach about advanced technologies for learning, it utilises them throughout.

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)

Each 30-credit module is assessed by the equivalent of a 6,000-word written portfolio. 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 2021 entry.

Undergraduate degree2:2 (or international equivalent)
Work experienceAn 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, education publishing or technologies.

Applying

Start dates

Start date Application deadline
6 September 2021 6 August 2021

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 £13,000
International £13,000

If you are a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland starting your course in the 2021/22 academic year, you will pay international tuition fees.

This does not apply to Irish students, who will be charged tuition fees at the same rate as UK students. UK nationals living in the EU, EEA and Switzerland will also continue to be eligible for ‘home’ fee status at UK universities until 31 December 2027.

For further guidance, check our Brexit information for future students.

Additional costs

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.

More than 1,500 employers advertise graduate jobs and internships through our online vacancy service. We host regular careers fairs, including specialist fairs for different sectors.

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

94.3% 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 £28,280.*

* HESA Graduate Outcomes 2020, using methodology set by The Guardian. The average annual salary is based on graduates working full-time 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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The University has been awarded Gold for outstanding teaching and learning (2017/18). Our teaching is of the highest quality found in the UK.

The Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) is a national grading system, introduced by the government in England. It assesses the quality of teaching at universities and how well they ensure excellent outcomes for their students in terms of graduate-level employment or further study.

This content was last updated on Tuesday 01 June 2021. 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.