Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences

Department Head: Mimi Recker
Location: Emma Eccles Jones Education 215A
Phone: (435) 797-2692
FAX: (435) 797-2693
E-mail: mimi.recker@usu.edu
WWW: http://itls.usu.edu/

Degrees offered: Master of Science (MS) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences; Master of Education (MEd) and Educational Specialist (EdS) in Instructional Technology

Graduate specializations: MEd—Educational Technology, Information Technology and School Library Media Administration

Undergraduate Programs

Objectives and Requirements

There is no major in instructional technology at the undergraduate level because of the need for those preparing in the field to have especially strong general education knowledge as well as depth in a specialized field of study. The minors include School Library Media and Multimedia Development.

Graduate Programs

Instructional technology is a systematic way of analyzing, designing, developing, implementing, and evaluating the processes of learning and teaching with specific objectives based on research in human learning and communication. It employs a combination of human and nonhuman resources to bring about more effective instruction. Instructional technology includes aspects of instructional design, product development, interactive learning technologies, multimedia, distance education, and library and information literacy. Each aspect of the field has unique contributions to make to the teaching-learning process.

The department offers specializations in Educational Technology, Information Technology and School Library Media Administration, and Instructional Development for Training and Education. A program emphasis in online learning communities in education and training is also offered.

Graduates are in demand in business and industrial settings, as well as in education, because of their preparation in training and instructional design. Admission to the graduate program is open to all students regardless of their undergraduate preparation.

Admission Requirements

See general admission requirements . The MS and MEd admission requirements include a 3.0 GPA for the last 60 semester credits (90 quarter credits) and an MAT score or GRE verbal and quantitative scores at or above the 40th percentile. In addition, the department requires that those applying for the EdS program have a master’s degree, and a score at or above the 40th percentile on the verbal/quantitative tests of the GRE or 46 percent or above on the MAT. Those applying for the PhD program must have GRE verbal and quantitative test scores at or above the 40th percentile. Demonstrated writing and computer proficiency is required of all applicants. A minimum score of 213 computerized or 550 paper/pencil on the TOEFL is required for all prospective international students.

Applications for PhD and EdS degree programs must be submitted to the School of Graduate Studies by January 31. Applications for MS program must be submitted to the School of Graduate Studies by April 1. Applications for MEd program must be submitted to the School of Graduate Studies by April 1. Space permitting, additional qualified candidates will be considered until the beginning of summer semester. Students who wish to be considered for financial aid must submit applications by January 31 for the coming academic year. All graduate students are expected to begin their programs in the fall semester. A required two day orientation will be held in August before classes start. 

Applicants for the EdS and PhD programs who do not hold a master’s degree in Instructional Technology must complete additional course requirements.

No applications will be considered until all required information is received by the School of Graduate Studies.

Course Requirements

Course requirements for all degrees are dependent upon the area of emphasis and are individually planned by the student and the supervisory committee. For planning materials and program details, contact the department.

Financial Assistance

Fellowships, assistantships, and other financial support are available and awarded on a competitive basis. Apply through the department.

Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences Faculty

Professor
Mimi Recker, cognitive modeling, interactive learning

Associate Professors
Yanghee Kim, human/computer interaction in learning systems with an emphasis on pedagogical agents, intelligent tutoring systems, instructional design, learning theory, teacher education with an emphasis on technology integration
Brett E. Shelton, immersive technologies, cognitive studies
Andrew E. Walker, collaborative information filtering and problem-based learning, situated cognition 

Adjunct Associate Professors
Michael K. Freeman, educational leadership
David A. Wiley, learning objects, instructional design theory

Assistant Professors
Brian R. Belland, scaffolding, problem-based learning, psychometrics, STEM education, service learning, technology integration
Anne R. Diekema, information retrieval, digital libraries, metadata, evaluation
Victor R. Lee, visual representations, curriculum design, cognitive science, everyday and intuitive reasoning, conceptual change

Adjunct Instructors
JaDene M. Denniston, school library media
Kevin L. Reeve, distance education Lecturer
Sheri Haderlie, Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences Department Outreach Program Manager

Professors Emeritus
Byron R. Burnham, School of Graduate Studies; adult learning
J. Nicholls Eastmond, Jr., theory and evaluation
Alan M. Hofmeister, research
M. David Merrill, instructional design
Don C. Smellie, foundations
Ron J. Thorkildsen, research and interactive learning
R. Kent Wood, theory, foundations

Associate Professors Emeritus
J. Steven Soulier, message design, computer applications
Linda L. Wolcott, distance education, library media, and foundations