Overview
Emerging Issues in Distance Education Technologies provides learners with the pedagogical foundations for examining emerging technologies and their implications for online teaching, learning and our digitalized society. Through a series of practical exercises, learners will apply emerging technologies in problem-based educational scenarios, then analyze and reflect on:
- artificial intelligence in education (AIEd)
- gamification and interactive multimedia
- immersive augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) learning environments,
- blockchain and micro-credentialing,
- technology ethics and policies
Outline
Unit 1: Foundations of Educational Technologies
- Provides an overview of emerging technologies for teaching and learning
Unit 2: Extending Perception and Reality
- Discussion of augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and the metaverse
Unit 3: Transforming Teaching, Learning and Education
- Examining artificial intelligence, games and simulations and other technologies
Unit 4: Digital futures: Technology Implications for Education and Society
- A look at cybersecurity, techno-ethics and surveillance
- The Fourth Industrial Revolution?
Evaluation
To receive credit for this course, students must participate in the online activities, successfully complete the assignments, and be familiar with the Graduate Grading Policy.
The following table summarizes the evaluation activities and the credit weights associated with them.
Activity | Weight |
Course and peer engagement: Course engagement and participation based on the quality and quantity of your contributions. Please expect to dedicate at least 3-5 hours per week towards asynchronous course materials, activities and forum discussions. Learners will also attend 3 synchronous sessions. | 10% |
Learning Exercises: Throughout the course, you will be prompted to complete several activities that require your application of emerging technologies for specific scenarios. You will complete 3 learning exercises that include reflective and analysis components. | 45% (3 x 15%) |
A Digital Future: AI-Blog critique and demonstration: With AI support, write a blog reviewing an emerging technology of your choice and discuss its implications for teaching and learning. Then, create a video/multimedia recording of you teaching one example of how to apply this technology in an educational context. | 30% |
Learning Journal: Based on writing prompts, you will reflect upon your experiences in the course. | 15% |
Total | 100% |
Materials
Digital course materials
Links to the following course materials will be made available in the course:
Online materials and readings.