Educational Communication and Technology

The Educational Communication and Technology concentration in KU's School of Education, Department of Teaching and Leadership's Curriculum and Instruction (C&I) program advances understanding in the design, theoretical foundations, and use of technology in education. This concentration prepares students for leadership roles in higher education, K-12 education, and corporate training. The C&I program offers an interdisciplinary approach that draws on the diverse capabilities of a major research university.

Students in our programs make extensive use of the computer labs, educational resource network, video editing and recording capabilities, a curriculum library, multimedia support for video and audio digitization, CD-ROM and network authoring. Several of the Centers and Labs associated with the School of Education have educational technology projects including: the eLearning Design Lab; Advanced Learning Technologies in Education Consortia; Center for Research on Learning; Center for Educational Testing and Evaluation; and Learning Generations. Graduate positions connected with these Centers and Labs offer part-time salary and, in some cases, reduction in tuition fees for graduate students in the Educational Communications and Technology program.

The School of Education was recently ranked in the Nation's top 20 US public Schools of Education. It's location on the main campus of the University of Kansas in Lawrence offers convenient access to all the resources of a major research university including a comprehensive library and modern academic computer systems.

Degrees Available

M. S. in C&I (emphasis in Educational Communication and Technology) - thesis/project option

Ph.D. in C&I (emphasis in Educational Communication and Technology) Most new candidates to our graduate concentration have previously developed technical skills in some area of media and/or computer software production. Thus, production courses in the doctoral program focus on improving instructional design and evaluation skills. The remaining coursework covers topics such as learning theory, educational philosophy, theories of educational communication, curriculum development, media/computer delivery systems, and educational research. Doctoral aspirants also select a 12 hour minor from outside of the program for expanding theoretical perspectives and establishing a research agenda. Minors have included: Communications, Computer Science, Design, Higher Education, Mathematics, Journalism, Linguistics, Philosophy and Psychology. We encourage students to take advantage of the wide range of scholarly opportunities available at the University of Kansas.

The culminating dissertation in the doctoral program results in a unique contribution to educational knowledge. Research topics conducted by faculty and students have addressed: Instructional Interface Design; Advice in Instructional Courseware; The Design of online References; Educational Networks; Effects of Sonifications on Learning; The Social Construction of Knowledge in Online Courses; The Influence of Social Presence on Engagement and Satisfaction in Online Courses; and the Effect of Prior Knowledge and Spatial Ability on Learning Outcomes and Cognitive Load with Rich and Lean Media.

The Core Requirement for Doctoral Students in the School of Education

The core requirement for doctoral students in the School of Education includes courses in statistics or research, human learning or development, history, philosophy, or social foundations of education and general curriculum or general instructional strategies.

Additional Documents

Doctoral Degrees

Master's Degrees

Faculty in Educational Communication and Technology

Dr. Ronald Aust (Ph.D.)
Dr. Young-Jin Lee (Assistant Professor)
Dr. Edward Meyen (Ph.D.)
Dr. Sean Smith (Ph.D.)

Some Useful Links

eLearning Design Lab (elearndesign.org)

Center for Research on Learning (http://www.ku-crl.org/)

Information Technology and Telecommunication Center (http://www.ittc.ku.edu)

Center for Educational Testing and Evaluation (www.cete.ku.edu/)

Learning Generations (learngen.org)

See our admissions section for more information and/or contact us.

Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) Application

The Department of Curriculum and Teaching offers graduate teaching assistantships that enable students to be employed while completing an advanced degree. Graduate assistantships are available for student teacher supervision, undergraduate teaching, and work on research projects. This also could include assisting faculty with course instruction or research and/or supervising student teachers at the elementary, middle, or secondary levels. Applicants pursuing a doctorate in the Department of Curriculum and Teaching are preferred. Classroom teaching experience is highly preferred.
Download the GTA Application (Word) | Download the GTA Application (PDF)

Home • Contact Web Master