Troy University

Masters in Education-Technology Program

The Troy University – Ft. Benning campus offers a Masters in Education program with different concentrations. Those concentrations are in Criminal Justice, Physical Fitness, Social Sciences, and Instructional Technology. The following are a series of questions and answers that are often brought up in any discussion about the technology program.

Q: How many different courses are required in the degree program?
A: The program has a 10 course requirement – 6 in technology and 4 in core education courses

Q: Is that all that is required in the program?
A: In addition to the 10 courses, there is the additional requirement of a comprehensive examination over the courses in the program.

Q: How long does it take to complete the program?
A: That depends on the individual student. The program is designed where an individual could complete the program in five terms (12 months) if you begin counting with the first technology course.

Q: Technology is a vast area of study. What activities in technology are in your concentration of study?
A: The focus we try to give is in building websites that actually teach curriculum content. The page building skills are pointed toward a proven Instructional Design model. Perhaps the best way to get an idea of what we do is to view some of the work of students currently in the program.

Q: What computer skills are required to complete the program?
A: Troy University has something of an “open enrollment” policy with respect to its programs. However, some computer skills are assumed when a participant enters the program. We have a “self-test” process to provide some diagnostic measure of your beginning computer skills. (Please read the last question!)

Q: What about the equipment and software used in the program?
A: We use the software product called Dreamweaver MX 2004 (the latest version) for building pages. We also focus on the underlying code (HTML). The computers are new and fast. They are connected to the Internet through a local area network that uses high speed connection lines.

Q: If I successfully complete the program, what can I expect upon graduation?
A: First, the program does not include a teaching certificate component. The class time is devoted to the technology concentration. (Note that states will honor the Master in Education degree for pay purposes.) Secondly, you will be able to create a set of documents following an instructional designer’s plan leading to the creation of web pages that are posted to an Internet site. You can build your own graphics and animation or edit the work of others. The web pages will be Internet efficient and visually appealing to the target group. In short, you can design and deliver Internet instruction that will teach!

Q: What is the technology program like?
A: The first course focuses on some of the basics in the Windows environment with a specific look at some of the applications in the Microsoft Office suite. The next two courses build the fundamental skills of an Instructional Design Model using the application Dreamweaver Studio MX 2004. The principles of instructional design and web design are extended in the next two courses where you will explore the world of multimedia authoring and distance learning. The final course is a directed study that allows the student to pursue a specific technology in more depth.

Q: I am interested in starting the program. How can I determine if I currently have the necessary computer skills to have a chance of passing the technology portion of the program?
A: We have devised a "self-testing" process that lets you make your own mind up about your computer skills. Basically it works like this. Do a series of computer tasks. If you feel they are easy, you probably will have no difficulty with the computer skills using in the program. If you have to ask for help from someone, you probably will experience some difficulty and require "extra" work to build some computer experiences. If you would like to get a reading on your computer skill level, simply follow the link to the self test.

Q: I understand you work with the Goodwill Industries in developing tutorials. How does that work?
A: Selected participants in the Goodwill Industries programs receive technology training to help them move into the work force. Troy University at Ft. Benning assists in this process by developing tutorials on technology applications. The tutorials are posted for the Goodwill students to use in their training. The project has just begun. You can see some of the tutorials that have been developed by visiting the Tutorials link.