IDT @ UND -
What Does Our Program Offer

 

Are you a teacher who wants to know the best ways to integrate technology into the classroom? Are you interested in learning how to design and develop multimedia training for the business world? Do you want to study how the latest technologies can enhance learning? If so, instructional design is the field you're looking for. Here are some of the reasons why the IDT program at UND is the right PLACE to study the field of instructional design:

Academics

• Our curriculum is competitive with the best ID programs in the country. It's design reflects the philosophy of traditional instructional design as espoused by Robert Gagne, Leslie Briggs, and Walt Wager while incorporating the latest technologies such as pedagogical agents, intelligent tutoring systems, and instructional simulations and games.
• We also know that not all performance problems are instructional, which is why our curriculum includes courses in human-performance technology and instructional design consulting, so that as a graduate you'll be able to solve the full range of human performance problems in the workplace.
• We know the difference between technology use and technology integration. While some programs offer courses in technology education, we focus on how to best blend the latest thinking in teaching and learning with the latest technologies for problem solving. Our K-12 education track complies with the ISTE standards for technology facilitators, which are the most widely accepted standards for technology integration in k-12 education. This makes us unique in North Dakota.

 Real World Projects

• We believe in project-based learning. This means you'll spend your time applying instructional design theories rather than being tested on them.
• We believe in involving you in research and development projects early on in the process. This means you'll have publication, presentation, and design and development credits on your vita before you leave our program.
• The projects you work on make a real difference in the world. Whether you are developing web-based training for aviation security or distance learning programs for other countries, you'll know the work you do will be used by people.

Technology & Resources

• The IDT master's and certificate programs is are available for on-campus and distance delivery, making it possible to attain all these degrees options via distance delivery, on-campus courses, or a combination of both. Students may enroll in on-campus classes and attend these classes in person or may enroll in online classes and attend classes via distance technology. Online students and on-campus students are peers in the same class sessions, and experience the same educational opportunities through the use of Adobe Connect conferencing software. In this manner, class lectures, discussion, presentation, and collaboration are done seamlessly, in a nearly identical fashion to traditional classes.
• Asynchronous sessions (those done at the time and place of the students' choosing each week) are handled through a course management system such as Blackboard and HTMLeZ.. Students use these tools to read material loaded by the teacher, turn in assignments, communicate through message boards, participate in discussions through threaded discussion tools, take tests, and receive their grades. There are assignments and participation activities every week, whether the class meets live or not. In this way, students get the best of both worlds: the flexibility of online learning and the personal contact and connection of face-to-face instruction.
• In most cases, software required for classes is available for distance students via a Citrix server, which allows connections to software via the Internet.
• UND's Ryan Hall contains millions of dollars in simulation, video, and distance education technology, including 360 degree air traffic control tower simulation, regional jet, helicopter, and private aircraft simulators, two video studios, and a multi-studio camera AV distance education classroom with a 15 foot rear-projection screen capable of simulcast streaming and real-time DVD encoding. As a program partner, IDT has access to these facilities for research and development--an opportunity unequaled anywhere else in the world.

Personalized Experiences

• Because we keep our course enrollments low (15 maximum), we are able to offer a more personalized educational experience than other IDT programs. You'll have the opportunity to gain teaching experience, co-author research with faculty, and develop a program of study and class projects that reflect your professional goals and interests.
• Our community of students, faculty, and alumni all know each other and stay connected through projects, research, program meetings, advising, and the IDT listserv.

"Prior to starting the Instructional Design & Technology program at UND, I felt lost in a crowd of fellow undergraduates at a major University in another state. This program's personalized and hands-on approach has given me both knowledge and confidence. I feel like the faculty and fellow students really care whether or not I succeed, which has made all the difference."  - Adrienne Nelson, IDT Student