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The EDTEC Student Handbook

Important: The EDTEC Student Handbook is an unofficial publication; readers are advised that EDTEC Department policy, San Diego State University policy, the SDSU General Catalog, and the SDSU Graduate Bulletin are official sources for Department information and take precedence over this publication.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Objectives

This resource is designed to help you address your questions about the multiple academic programs offered through the Department of Educational Technology (EDTEC) at San Diego State University. It covers, among other things, program requirements, courses, faculty, technical tools, and social resources. After reading the Student Handbook, you'll be familiar with:

What is Educational Technology?

Practitioners in the field of Educational Technology apply research in learning theory, psychology, and emergent technologies to solve instructional and performance problems. The Presidential Commission on Instructional Technology (1970) highlighted four areas in which Educational Technologists perform--areas that remain relevant today:

While our field has changed dramatically over the years (reflecting new technologies, media, and thinking about how we learn), much about it remains constant.

Design activities include needs assessment (learners, tasks, content, etc.) and conceptualizing learning systems and other solutions consistent with those needs.

Development/production involves creating learning assets that meet instructional needs. Assets take many forms, including but not limited to: print-based materials, audio and videotapes, computer-assisted instructional programs, Internet sites and portals, multimedia presentations, interactive video programs, simulations and games, and assessment or evaluation tools.

Management activities include media center administration, project supervision and direction, and resource allocation.

Evaluation involves determining whether or not programs or projects are "on-track" (and where improvement or revision may be warranted) or measuring the impact of (or assigning worth or value to) instructional products, programs, or processes.

Instructional needs or performance problems exist in any organization or setting where people work, learn, or take advantage of services. Relevant scenarios might include:

Every business, agency, institution, and school is concerned with performance--that is, an individual’s ability to contribute to the mission of the organization. Education and training are potent forces to enhance performance because they help assure that people have the skills, abilities, and attitudes they need to do their jobs well. Educational Technologists use systematic processes to meet educational and training needs. Practically speaking, they help people perform more effectively in rapidly changing technical and social environments.

What career opportunities exist for Educational Technologists?

Educational Technologists offer tangible solutions to a variety of pressing instructional and performance problems. They work in many settings including health centers, K-12 schools, consulting firms, private industry, universities, multimedia development companies, adult learning centers, publishing houses, and social service agencies.

Virtually any setting holds opportunities for Educational Technologists. As jobs change and technologies are introduced, every work environment needs specialists to design, develop, deliver, and evaluate effective education and training. To give you an idea of the range of possibilities, the following is a partial list of career titles that attract Educational Technologists:

For a sample of the job opportunities available today, visit the EDTEC Department’s Online Jobs Database.

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Educational Technology Programs

Three types of academic programs are offered through SDSU's Department of Educational Technology: [Note that some require applicants to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). References to the GRE in this and other sections of this Handbook are subject to change, due to a major revision to the exam scheduled for rollout in Fall 2006. We expect to modify our GRE references at that time.]

Certificate Programs

Three certificate programs are offered to individuals who want to learn how to design, implement and evaluate instructional projects, courses, and systems, but do not want to pursue a master’s degree in Educational Technology. For more information about any of the following certificate programs, call the Department Office at (619) 594-6718.

Certificate in Instructional Technology

This 15-unit undergraduate certificate covers systemic and systematic methods for addressing a wide variety of performance opportunities--and is particularly well-suited for students wanting to develop their instructional design, educational computing or media production skills. Students also have opportunities to connect with professionals in the field and build their overall workforce marketability.

Participants may enroll in the program through regular admission or through Extended Studies; formal application to the University and Department is not required.

The certificate features three required courses (EDTEC 540, 541, and 544 -- nine units) and two electives (six units) from any of the following: EDTEC 550, 561, 570, 572, or 590. The units earned in this certificate may be applied to our Master's program.

Certificate in Advanced Instructional Design

This certificate targets learning professionals who want to hone their instructional design, facilitation, consultation, or project management skills. Graduates of this program take the lead in conceptualizing and producing a wide variety of learning interventions---from self-paced "overview" tutorials to complex electronic performance systems to podcasts and vodcasts. Students tend to have high-level roles in the learning enterprise, no matter the setting in which they happen to work (K-12, higher education, business, nonprofit, military, government). Prerequisites include a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution--with a grade point average of at least 2.85 in the last 60 semester (90 quarter) units attempted, as well as a satisfactory score on the verbal and quantitative (typically 950 combined) sections of the GRE General Test. The 18 units of coursework are detailed below:

Required: 9 units

EDTEC 540, Educational Technology
EDTEC 541, Web Multimedia Development
EDTEC 544, Instructional Design

Electives: 9 units (600- and 700-level courses only), as approved by the program director or department chair.

Certificate in Distance Education

This 15-unit certificate program focuses on the skills and knowledge required of service managers, instructors, instructional designers, evaluators, local site coordinators, and other professionals who work in distance education systems and programs in higher education, K-12, business, and government (including law enforcement and the military). Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA (with no less than a C in any course). Classes required for this certificate include EDTEC 550, 640, 650, and 684 (4 courses, 12 units) plus one elective (3 units) from the following: EDTEC 670, or 671. Students interested in this certificate must apply both to the University and the Department. With permission, up to nine units (beyond EDTEC 540 and 541) earned toward this certificate may be applied to the Master's degree.

The prerequisites for the Certificate in Distance Education are as follows:

Master’s Program

The Master’s program is designed for individuals interested in mastering concepts, principles, and practical applications of Educational Technology. Faculty focus on both soft and hard technologies. Soft technologies are those used to identify instructional problems and solve them in ways that incorporate what we know about how people learn. Hard technologies include cutting-edge hardware and software to prepare students to design, develop and implement products and processes that meet instructional and performance needs.

The Master’s program consists of 30 units, plus six prerequisite units (two courses; EDTEC 540 and 541). Of the 30 program units, 12 are required: EDTEC 544, ED 690, and either ED 795A followed by ED 795B, or ED 795A and B.* The remaining 18 units are elective; nine must be at the 600-700 level. Keep in mind that introductory elective courses may be prerequisites for advanced electives.

To qualify for the Master’s degree, students must maintain a 3.0 (B) average, and complete a capstone project (as part of ED 795A and 795B) or a thesis (ED 799 A, B). Students who opt for the 795 sequence also complete an academic portfolio that they defend in their final semester (comprehensive exam).

*Note: the maximum transferable course credit is nine units, including courses taken through SDSU's College of Extended Studies. All transfer credit must be approved by the Department chair and graduate dean.

The prerequisites for the Master’s program are as follows:

Applicants need to submit both University and Department applications. Three letters of recommendation must accompany the Department application. For more information about the Master’s program, see the section entitled How to Thrive in the Master’s Program.

The certificate programs and the Master’s degree in Educational Technology are offered both on campus and at a distance. For more information about our distance options, please refer to the Educational Technology Distance Programs website.

Doctorate Programs

Currently, the College of Education offers one joint doctoral program of interest to EDTEC students--with the Claremont Graduate School (in Los Angeles). This program (terminal degree: PhD) offers unique opportunities for those choosing to pursue a doctorate degree in education (with an emphasis in educational technology). It focuses in particular on multicultural education--and strategies for meeting the needs of highly diverse learners. While it has a strong research base, the program aims to produce scholar-practitioners who can span the gap between education theory and practice.

The need for leaders in the field of education has never been more critical. Emerging leaders must have a broad understanding of the cultural diversity of our society and how ethnicity affects teaching, learning, and schooling. The multidisciplinary perspective of this program prepares leaders who are conversant with many aspects of the specialization. Doctoral students learn to analyze, synthesize, think critically, generate new knowledge, and support positions based on evidence.

The program consists of 48 residency units, with half of the required units to be completed at each institution. Requirements include a 15-unit core in two areas - Multicultural Education and Research. Students who hold a MA or MS in education must also complete three to six units outside the field of education.

Besides coursework, students must pass written and oral qualifying examinations in four areas and become competent with two research tools (such as a foreign language, statistics, or ethnographic methods). To complete the program, doctoral candidates must write a dissertation under the direction of a committee and pass an oral examination (defense).

The prerequisites for the SDSU/Claremont doctoral program are as follows:

Applicants must submit both University and Department applications. Three letters of recommendation must accompany the Department application.

For more information about this program, contact:

Graduate Programs in Education
College of Education, Education 100K
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA 92182-1105
Phone: (619) 594-6544
Fax: (619) 594-4869
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Educational Technology Courses

The following is a detailed list of courses that the Department of Educational Technology offers. Course offerings are dependent upon enrollment funding and faculty availability. We recommend that students access the SDSU web site at the beginning of each semester to confirm which classes are on the schedule.

Prerequisite Courses

EDTEC 540 - Educational Technology
Rationale, foundations, theories, careers, trends and issues in educational technology. Implications of educational technology for instruction and information in schools, government, and corporations.
EDTEC 541 - Web Multimedia Development
Systems, aesthetics, and learning theories applied to the design of web-based educational multimedia. Planning and prototyping digital media.

Required Courses (Master’s Program)

For the Master’s program, ED 690 is required, plus either:

ED 690 - Methods of Inquiry
Procedures for gathering, analyzing, and synthesizing information; reviewing the literature; designing studies.
ED 795A - Seminar in Instructional Design
Prerequisite: ED 690 and Advancement to Candidacy. Official Program of Study must also be filed prior to enrollment.
Based on one intense practice of instructional and/or informational design. Work with a client in the community to solve a narrow yet significant problem.
ED 795B - Seminar
ED 799 A, B - Master’s Thesis
Research or product-oriented project investigating phenomena in educational technology or related fields. Employ research methodology to empirically study and add to an existing body of knowledge. Culminates in a written thesis and oral defense.

Core Course

EDTEC 544 - Instructional Design
Systematic design of products for education and training. Use of cognitive task analysis to determine instructional content. Development of instructional goals and product specifications. Rapid prototyping of instructional products. Prerequisites: EDTEC 540 and 541 (B+ or better) as well as GRE writing exam score of 4.5 or better (or B+ or better in Rhetoric and Writing Studies 503W).

Elective Courses

EDTEC 550 - Introduction to Distance Education
Prerequisites: EDTEC 540, 541, 544, or equivalent experience in the field.
Terminology, concepts, instructional strategies and technologies of distance education. Designing, facilitating, and managing courses at a distance. Overview of social issues, historical perspectives, and current trends. Analyzing distant learner profiles, needs, and skills. Telecommunicating, instructing, interacting, and providing feedback.
EDTEC 561 - Advanced Web-Based Multimedia Development
Prerequisites: EDTEC 540 and 541.
Two- and three-dimensional graphics, visualization, animation, digital video, sound, and virtual reality techniques. Research-based guidelines, design languages applied to development of interactive web-based learning systems.
EDTEC 570 - Advanced Teaching with Technologies
Prerequisite: EDTEC 470.
Design of constructivist lessons and units using Internet resources. Use of visual organizing tools and databases for instruction and assessment. Tools for professional knowledge base organization and electronic portfolios.
EDTEC 572 - Technology for Course Delivery
Prerequisites: EDTEC 540 and 541.
Use of technology to support planning, delivering, and managing instructor-led courses.
EDTEC 590 - Evaluation Techniques for the Performance Technologist
Prerequisites: EDTEC 540 and 541. Recommended: ED 690
Explore ways performance technologists frame evaluation studies, and the technological tools on which they rely. Design an array of high-tech data collection instruments-and use high-end technologies to collect/analyze data, and share interpretive reports. Use the literature to ground your efforts.
EDTEC 596 - Topics in Educational Technology
Selected problems in educational technology. See class schedule for specific content. Limit of nine units of any combination of 296, 496, 596 courses applicable to a bachelor's degree. Maximum credit of six units of 596 applicable to a bachelor's degree. Maximum combined credit of six units of 596 and 696 applicable to a 30-unit master's degree.
EDTEC 640 - Psychology of Technology-based Learning
Prerequisite: EDTEC 544.
Principles of human learning and cognition applied to design and use of technology-based learning systems. Development of research-based guidelines for designing educational products and services.
EDTEC 650 - Distance Education
Prerequisites: EDTEC 550 and 561. Recommended: EDTEC 572.
Theories and models of tele-education at home, place of work and school. Design, development, and evaluation of instructor-led and learner-directed tele-lessons for integrated electronic dissemination systems. Social, economic, and organizational context of learning at a distance.
EDTEC 670 - Exploratory Learning through Simulation and Games
Prerequisites: EDTEC 540 and 541.
Design, evaluation, and use of simulations and games for education and training. Instructional applications of computer-based simulations, interactive fiction, board games and role play.
EDTEC 671 - Learning Environment Design
Prerequisites: EDTEC 544 and 561.
Advanced design of reusable learning objects; usability testing; learning management systems; interface design.
EDTEC 684 - Management of Educational Technology
Prerequisites: EDTEC 540, 541 and 544
Research reviewed and findings related to current practices. Management of instructional design and training projects and programs. Role of educational technology and training in organizations. Recent trends evaluated.
EDTEC 685 - Informational and Instructional Technologies for Organizations
Prerequisites: EDTEC 540 and EDTEC 541.
Organizational and informational systems that support instructional products and services. Individual, team, and organizational analyses. Incentives, feedback, coaching, job aids, selection, knowledge management, and other performance improvement strategies.
EDTEC 700 - Seminar in Educational Technology
Selected areas, topics in educational technology. May be repeated with new content. See class schedule for specific content. Maximum six units of credit applicable to master's degree.
EDTEC 775 - Directed Internship in Educational Technology
Prerequisite: 12 units earned toward the Master's degree excluding EDTEC 540 and 541.
Supervised internship in an educational or training setting. Application to take this course must be made during the preceding semester.
EDTEC 798 - Special Study
Individual study. May involve fieldwork. Maximum six units of credit applicable to Master's degree. Prerequisite: Consent of staff; to be arranged with Department chair and instructor.

Important Notice: No graduate student shall be permitted to enroll in EDTEC 600/700-level courses unless he or she has been accepted by SDSU as a classified graduate student.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a master’s degree?
The Master’s degree coursework is demanding, and involves lab and field projects requiring a significant investment of time. Students who hold full-time jobs are cautioned to take no more than six units per semester. At this pace, it takes 2-1/2 to 3 years to complete the two prerequisite courses (6 units) and 30 units required for the degree. Student who attend full-time can finish the program in about two years. However, you can be certain that the time invested yields tangible rewards. While the projects required for most classes take time and effort, they tend to yield professional portfolio pieces and opportunities to work on authentic programs. We believe that you just cannot learn to plan, produce, and evaluate instruction without doing it. The feedback about our graduates from employers, associates, and the marketplace suggests that the time is well spent.
Why SDSU? Aren’t there quicker ways to do this?
Yes, there are definitely quicker and easier ways to obtain a specialized degree. We contend, however, that they aren’t as good. We invite you to check out the advantages of the SDSU EDTEC program for yourself. Ask our current and former students--or to one or more of our nine full-time faculty. Talk to people who hire in San Diego and across the nation. Take a look at our courses and visit the Department website. We also encourage you to sit in on one of our prerequisite courses (EDTEC 540 or 541) to get a taste of what we are doing. The department boasts three fully-equipped computer labs; state-of-the-art hardware for multimedia, audio, and video production; video and teleconferencing--and much more. No other university in Southern California has allocated such substantial resources to our field.
Do I have to own a computer or other electronics?
Ready access to a computer is central to the program; the Instructional Media Lab (IML) should not (and really cannot) be your only resource, in part because time is capped at two hours when demand is high. However, cameras and other peripherals (needed to complete course assignments/projects) are available for 24-hour checkout. Reservations are a must (for both computer time and equipment).
Should I learn to use a computer before I enter the program?
Basic computer knowledge and skills are essential to complete most of the coursework. Our students are familiar with both Macintosh and Windows systems--and the IML has both available for use. If you're not a 'regular' computer user, definitely consider taking an introductory class (or completing online tutorials to which our enrolled students have access). For a small investment of time and money, you'll learn enough to feel comfortable with the computer-oriented requirements of any EDTEC class. You might also consider teaching yourself by using the self-paced tutorials available within many applications installed on the IML computers.

How to Thrive in the Master’s Program

The following is a checklist of milestones of which students in the Master’s program must be aware to successfully complete the program:

Step 1: Apply to San Diego State University

Prospective students are to apply electronically, and may submit the University application and application fee (currently, $55) through www.csumentor.edu.Graduate Admissions will notify you that the application has been received and is being processed.  If you neglect to include the application fee, your application won't move forward.

Step 2: Submit Transcripts and Test Scores to Enrollment Services:

Applicants must mail the following to:     
Graduate Admissions
Enrollment Services
San Diego State University
5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA  92182-7416

One Set of Official Transcripts:

One set of official transcripts (in sealed envelopes as received from the issuing institution) from all postsecondary colleges and universities attended are to be sent directly to Enrollment Services. International students must provide transcripts and proof of degree in the original language as well as a certified English translation, unless the institution only issues the transcripts in English.  There are a few countries where it is next to impossible for a student to have a copy of his or her transcript sent.  In these cases the student may bring his or her original transcript and proof of degree to Graduate Admissions, where their authenticity will be verified and copies generated for our records.

All transcripts will be imaged for University records, and the originals will be forwarded to the department once the applicant's file is complete and evaluated

GRE/TOEFL Test Score

Applicants must submit GRE and Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) test scores, as applicable, to Enrollment Services (Institution Code 4682).  Educational Testing Service submits the scores electronically, and they are immediately available in the WebPortal and SIMS/R. 

The GRE is required for admission to the University. Typically, we expect students to receive total scores of 950 or above on the verbal and quantitative parts of the test and a 4.5 on the analytical portion. For information about the GRE, call (609)771-7670 or go to the GRE website.

Students who hold advanced degrees from institutions that are members of the Council of Graduate Schools are exempt from the GRE requirement.  Individuals applying for admission to certain graduate programs may petition to waive the GRE requirement if the applicant holds a professional doctoral degree from an institution whose professional program is accredited by an association that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

All graduate and postbaccalaureate applicants, regardless of citizenship, whose preparatory education was principally in a language other than English must demonstrate competence in English.   Those applicants who do not possess a bachelor’s degree from a postsecondary institution where English is the principal language of instruction must submit TOEFL results. Applicants taking the paper-based TOEFL must present a minimum score of 550; those taking the computer-based TOEFL must present a score of 213 or above.

You do not have to submit SDSU transcripts for either past or current course work.

Step 3: Apply to the EDTEC Department

Assemble one complete admissions packet, which should include the following:

Completed Department application (with personal statement attached) and three letters of recommendation. Letters of reference should be given back to you in sealed envelopes and submitted together with the packet. Seek recommendations from professionals who can attest to your promise as a graduate student and professional educator.

Return the completed application packet to:

San Diego State University Masters Program (identify either for campus or distance)
Department of Educational Technology
5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA 92182-1182

Note: An incomplete packet will delay the admission process.

For more information on international applications, please email the International Student Center at isc.reception@mail.sdsu, or refer to its website.

Step 4: Fulfill the prerequisites

Complete EDTEC 540 and 541 with a B+ or better. (You may take these two courses through the SDSU College of Extended Studies prior to submitting University and Department application materials.)

Step 5: Progress with your graduate study

Think about what classes you’ll take to fulfill the Master’s program requirements. Thirty units are required to obtain the degree. As you enroll in and complete courses, pay attention to the following:

Determine your graduate standing.
Do you have conditional standing? If so, you must remove those conditions (by fulfilling prerequisites) before you can be accepted to the Master’s degree program as a classified graduate student.

File your official Program of Study with your faculty advisor.
You may file your official Program of Study only after you become a classified graduate student and have completed 12 units towards the MA. When you make an appointment with your advisor, tell him or her that it’s for the purpose of filing an Official Program of Study. Filing this document means identifying the courses you plan to take to complete the 30-unit requirement; you won't be asked to explain the order in which you'll actually complete the classes listed. Once you have filed your Program of Study, you can only change it by submitting a Change of Program form to the Department chair.

Prepare your learning portfolio; present it to faculty for review and approval.

Apply for graduation.
Apply for graduation no later than the 15th day of the semester in which you plan to graduate. The University strictly adheres to this deadline, which is published in the Graduate Bulletin. You can download and print the application form, and submit it to the University Cashier’s Office for processing. Please check the class schedule for graduation application deadlines.

Step 6: Receive your Master’s degree!

Remember to check the accuracy of your graduate status periodically with SDSU’s Graduate Office, the EDTEC Department office, and the SDSU WebPortal. Common mistakes and pitfalls include:

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Faculty

Faculty and Staff Home Pages

Brock Allen
Professor
Telephone: (619) 594-5439
Fax: (619) 594-6718
Email: Brock.Allen@sdsu.edu
Website: http://edweb.sdsu.edu/people/bsallen/
Marcie Bober
Associate Professor/Department Chair
Office: North Education 282
Telephone: (619) 594-0587
Fax: (619) 594-6376
Email: bober@mail.sdsu.edu
Website: http://edweb.sdsu.edu/Courses/ED791AF04D/MBober.html
Bernie Dodge
Professor
Office: North Education 288
Telephone: (619) 594-7401
Email: bdodge@mail.sdsu.edu
Website: http://edweb.sdsu.edu/people/bdodge/bdodge.html
Bob Hoffman
Associate Professor
Office: North Education 291
Telephone: (619) 594-2702
Email: Bob.Hoffman@sdsu.edu
Website: http://edweb.sdsu.edu/people/rhoffman/
Theodore (T J) Kopcha
Assistant Professor
Office: North Education 287
Telephone: (619) 594-2503
Email: tkopcha@mail.sdsu.edu
Website: http://edweb.sdsu.edu/people/tkopcha/
Donn Ritchie
Professor
Office: North Education 292
Telephone: (619) 594-5076
Email: dritchie@mail.sdsu.edu
Website: http://edweb.sdsu.edu/people/DRitchie/DRitchie.html
Allison Rossett
Professor
Office: North Education 283
Telephone: (619) 594-6088
Email: arossett@mail.sdsu.edu
Website: http://edweb.sdsu.edu/people/ARossett/
Farhad Saba
Professor
Office: North Education 286
Email: fsaba@mail.sdsu.edu
Website: http://edweb.sdsu.edu/people/FSaba/FSaba.html
Minjuan Wang
Associate Professor
Office: North Education 293
Telephone: (619) 594-3878
Fax: (619) 594-6376
Email: mwang@mail.sdsu.edu
Website: http://edweb.sdsu.edu/people/MWang/Mwang.html

The EDTEC Student Handbook was originally created by EDTEC graduates Mona Meyer, Richard Gleeves, Jose Moreno, and Jon Rizzo, with help from the EDTEC faculty and staff.. It was revised by Matt Brooks in August 2003, and Nicholas Glading, Marcie Bober, and Elsa Tapia in July 2006.

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