UAO Program: MA in Instructional Technology
Role: Associate Professor for Instructional Technology and point of contact for the online master’s program
Education: BA in Math from Oakwood University; MA in Curriculum and Instruction from La Sierra University; PhD in Educational Technology from Arizona State University
Fun Fact: Dr. Denham and his wife recently welcomed a new baby to their family!
Designed for educators and industry professionals who are in training fields, the MA in Instructional Technology is especially unique. We caught up with Dr. Andre Denham recently to find out more about what makes this program stand out.
UAO: How long have you been involved with the MA in Instructional Technology?
AD: I’ve been at the University and with the program since 2012, so this is my seventh academic year here.
UAO: What drew you to this particular field in education?
AD: I was a middle school math teacher after completing my undergraduate degree. The school needed someone to teach a computer applications course, and it required a master’s with a concentration in Educational Technology. As I got that concentration, I was so interested in the educational side of it and how beneficial it can be for learners that I decided to pursue my PhD in the field.
UAO: So who is the master’s in Instructional Technology through UA Online designed for?
AD: It’s really beneficial for two primary audiences. It’s perfect for educators in K-12 environments who are interested in leveraging technology to transform their teaching and their students’ learning. It is also a good fit for those in industry and corporate environments who work in HR or training roles to help employees learn new systems, processes or concepts.
UAO: And how will this program benefit these professionals?
AD: The program stands to benefit anyone in a teaching role, whether they’re teaching adults or children. The foundational concepts of the program center on the principles and best practices for instructional design to ensure that students learn as they interact with course materials. We teach our students how to analyze what their students need and the best ways to design instruction around those needs.
There are 10 courses in the program, totaling 30 credit hours. Of those, seven (21 credit hours) are required, but then there are three elective course spots where you can choose from courses focused on mobile learning, game-based learning, IT leadership and administrative technology from within our program, or you can select other graduate-level courses from other departments on campus with approval from our faculty to count toward your electives. With those options, students of this program are able to really tailor their coursework to match their professional goals.
UAO: What makes your program different from similar programs at other institutions?
AD: Our faculty are very hands-on. All of us have been involved with developing the entire program from its beginning.
UAO: So it’s like your collective baby?
AD: Yes. It really is. We’re each so personally invested in the success of the program and our students’ success. Beyond that, within Alabama, there is only one other program I know of that is fully online for this field. Most of our students are working full time, so that is something we’re used to and even encourage. And then every course is taught by UA faculty, so even though it’s an online program, students are benefitting from the same instruction found here on campus.
UAO: What is your favorite thing about the program?
AD: I know it sounds cliché, but it’s the students. I love meeting them and getting to know their backgrounds and helping them reach their goals. Any interaction I have with students is why I do what I do. And we have students from all over, so that makes it even more fun.
In terms of my favorite thing about the curriculum, though, I think I’d have to say the game-based learning course. Play is beneficial for learning; games in and of themselves are well-designed systems to create fantasy contexts that allow people to play around with and become familiar with ideas that they otherwise may not understand. So incorporating game-based learning initiatives into instructional design is not only strategic, but it’s fun!
UAO: What challenges do you face as a faculty member of an online program, and what techniques have you implemented to overcome those challenges?
AD: Well, because are students are not here, engagement can be difficult. I’ve had success in my classes with Doodle polls and Zoom conferences to periodically discuss readings together so that we’re all able to feel more engaged as a class. And as a coordinator of the program, I make it a point to connect with my students and advise them regularly, staying more actively engaged with them. We have designed a really helpful course calendar, too, sharing our knowledge of when certain courses will be offered over the next several semesters to help our students plan better and be aware of potential scheduling conflicts.
UAO: What advice do you have for current and prospective students of this program or prospective entrants to the field of instructional technology?
AD: Prepare to be challenged. Tech is always changing, and we have to stay on the cutting edge. What doesn’t change are the principles of instructional design. Sometimes you have to unlearn and relearn certain programs and software because it’s a medium that is constantly shifting. But when you face that challenge, it’s very rewarding. There’s always something new taking place.
Published: August 29th, 2020