Background
(Description taken from University of St.Thomas)
The Master of Arts in Learning, Performance and Technology (MALPT) is a cohort‐based, interdisciplinary program that seeks to prepare learning, development (L&D) and change professionals to lead and facilitate the learning function of an organization and to leverage learning resources to strategically enhance organizational performance.
The M.A. program promotes a community of practice for learning and development professionals to continue a professional development plan that expands and strengthens their competencies.
As a student in the MALPT program, you will:
• Lead and facilitate innovative learning solutions for organization needs
• Understand adult learning and development in the workplace and how to leverage it for performance
• Be able to design face-‐to-‐face, blended learning and online learning for a variety of purposes, using appropriate technologies
• Be capable of assessing system learning and change needs and designing appropriate learning/change programs
The Masters program comprises of 33 credits (each course is 3 credits). There are 7 core courses and 4 elective courses, one of which can be a choice from a list of 5. As mentioned in the E-Learning certificate section, I am specializing in E-Learning as part of the Masters. For easier reference, I will re-list those courses first, followed by other courses I have taken thus far (expected completion spring 2017).
E-Learning Specialization courses
This course focuses on the pedagogy, principles, applications, strategies, tools, and evaluation of online and blended learning. Organizations and educational institutions have recognized online and blended learning as sustainable methods to provide learning opportunities to engage learners. The knowledge and skills are vital to enhance learner’s overall learning experiences and provide accessible learning resources in the 21st century. The course topics include theoretical framework of online learning, instructional strategies for synchronous and asynchronous training, principles of good online learning design, learner engagement, assessment tools, case studies, evaluation methods, and applications for MOOCS, mobile learning, flipped classroom, and apps-based learning. E-Learning authoring tools and open source applications will be utilized to facilitate idea brainstorming, class discussion, presentation, final projects, and other instructional activities.
This course provides an overview of E-Learning models at schools and corporation through case study and hands-on practice. Current E-Learning systems and tools will be reviewed. Students will design, develop, and implement an E-Learning project using the current E-Learning tools.
Using a project-based approach, this course focuses on the analysis, design, development, delivery and implementation of effective learning experiences. You will become familiar with proven theories and techniques of systematic instructional design and apply them to a project of your choice. Topics include, but are not limited to, training needs assessment, job task and information analysis, instructional design and strategies, media selection, evaluation, delivery of instruction, and instructional project management.
This class will introduce students to the foundations of Performance Improvement – the practice of improving individual, organizational and societal performance through assessment, solution selection and implementation. This course will provide students with an overview of various performance improvement techniques and performance support tools (Performance Technology, Learning technology, Knowledge Management, etc).
This internship provides for a supervised practice and/or project based on an approved proposal. The internship will demonstrate competency of the ISTE Technology Standards and provide an innovative experience in using advanced learning technologies and/or developing curriculum or learning modules for online education and training. Participants may complete the internship at their place of employment if appropriate. – My internship experience took place at Medtronic (global headquarters in Fridley). As part of this experience, I was required to create various artifacts for a portfolio as a summative assessment. I created a sub-page (off of this page) which you can gain access via the triangle drop down in the Navigation sidebar.
Additional courses taken for Masters
This course focuses on technology that supports the constructivist theory of learning and teaching, enhances student learning and helps teachers with instructional strategies that regard learners as agents of their own learning. Technology can supply essential tools to meet the demands of student learning in the 21st century. Students must be able to: construct knowledge; gather, organize and interpret information; assess their learning and communicate their learning to others. Participants will practice implementing their technologies in interdisciplinary and collaborative learning activities in their content areas to increase student motivation and achievement. The modules in this course include introduction to Understanding by Design, a technology integration plan, Keyboarding curriculum planning, eFolio, technology grant writing, Internet Videoconferencing, DVD authoring, and review of previous course projects and topics. Students will go through the activities in each module and complete projects on selected modules. This course can be used for Keyboarding K-8 endorsement program.
This course will explore theories and case examples of human communication and technology mediated processes in organizations and how they are being significantly reinterpreted and advanced as a result of use of innovative technology or disruptive technologies. We will employ hands-on learning with technology, reflect and react to these experiences, conceptualize the impact they have on people and organizations and apply our learning to collaborative projects in which we use the technology for organization development and change.
This course provides a foundation in workplace learning & development. Multiple approaches to learning & development in the workplace will be covered. Course topics include adult learning & development (learning theories, motivation, multiple intelligences, brain development), learning strategies (transformational learning, experiential learning, action learning, project-based learning, self- directed learning), team learning & development (team dynamics, participatory & democratic learning environments), strategic learning & development (aligning initiatives, measuring results), instructional design (ADDIE, HIL, HPT), and the technological tools (LMS, social media, synchronous and asynchronous learning solutions) to facilitate workplace learning.
This course provides a foundation and skill development of Project management of Learning Systems with emphasis on the development of courses and curricula to be delivered as Web based training or a blended approach. Students will broaden their understanding of Project management of Learning systems as they engage in demonstration, lecture, discussions, simulations, and group work to demonstrate their knowledge and application as they engage in learning about and creating a proposal and project plan that includes a time schedule, budget and progress tracking. Both reflective and practical learning activities, presentations, and projects will be offered. Students will apply what they have learned throughout the course as well as a final project at the end of the course.
This seminar critically examines discussions on theories, practices, and issues related to technology-enabled formal and informal learning that lead to organizational development and change. Seminar will address different topics of timely interest, current issues, future trends, and various approaches to learning platforms, content tools, E-Leadership, Web2.0 tools and social learning applications.
This seminar critically examines discussions on theories, practices, and issues related to technology-enabled formal and informal learning that lead to organizational development and change. Seminar will address different topics of timely interest, current issues, future trends, and various approaches to learning platforms, content tools, E-Leadership, Web2.0 tools and social learning applications.
