International Master's Programme in Information Technology and Learning

The aim of the programme is to prepare the student for analysis, development and research concerning the use of information technologies for learning and education in organisations, companies and educational institutions. In order to achieve this, the programme provides theoretical tools and perspectives for anlysing learning and communication with digital tools; practical traning in methods for analysis, design and academic research on learning and communication in digital environments; experiences of collaborative project work; and, the use of digital presentation formats.

To be admitted to the programme, the following is required:
A Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 180 higher education credits or an equivalent degree. Furthermore, the student must demonstrate proficiency in English equivalent to English 6 or English B from Swedish upper secondary level, or through an internationally recognized English test, such as TOEFL or IELTS, with corresponding results.

The international Master programme in Information Technology and Learning (120 credits) is a two-year, full-time programme. The compulsory courses distributed across two different main fields of study: Education with Specialization in Learning, Communication and Information Technology, and Applied Information Technology with Specialization in Learning and Communication. The mandatory courses in each main field of study are:

Education with Specialization in Learning, Communication and Information Technology

• Technology, knowledge and learning: an introduction, 15 HEC
• Literacies in a digital world, 15 HEC

Applied Information Technology with Specialization in Learning and Communication

• Applied research methods and design for information technologies and learning, 15 HEC
• Digital tools for communication and learning, 15 HEC

In addition to these mandatory courses the programme includes a mandatory MA thesis (30 HEC) and mandatory, optional courses (30 HEC). All programme students are guaranteed a place in two electable courses (15 HEC each) but are also able to select other courses of their own choice that correspond to the programme.

On completion of the programme, the student gets to decide the preferred main field of study for the MA degree.

The programme is organised in seven separate courses: five mandatory, and two electable which can be exchanged with other course as described above.

Year 1:

• Technology, knowledge and learning: an introduction, 15 HEC
• Literacies in a digital world, 15 HEC
• Applied research methods and design for information technologies and learning, 15 HEC
• Digital tools for communication and learning, 15 HEC

Year 2:

• Electable course 15 HEC (alternatively 7,5 + 7,5 HEC optional courses)
• Electable course, 15 HEC (alternatively 7,5 + 7,5 HEC optional courses)
• Master thesis 30 HEC

Second-cycle study programmes shall involve the acquisition of specialist knowledge, competence and skills in relation to first-cycle courses and study programmes, and in addition to the requirements for first-cycle courses and study programmes, education at second-cycle shall:

• further develop the ability of students to integrate and make autonomous use of their knowledge,
• develop the students' ability to deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations, and
• develop the students' potential for professional activities that demand considerable autonomy, or for research and development work.

General outcomes for Degree of Master (120 credits)

Knowledge and understanding

For a Degree of Master (120 credits) the student shall

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the main field of study, including both broad knowledge of the field and a considerable degree of specialised knowledge in certain areas of the field as well as insight into current research and development work, and
• demonstrate specialised methodological knowledge in the main field of study

Competence and skills

For a Degree of Master (120 credits) the student shall

• demonstrate the ability to critically and systematically integrate knowledge and analyse, assess and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations even with limited information
•  demonstrate the ability to identify and formulate issues critically, autonomously and creatively as well as to plan and, using appropriate methods, undertake advanced tasks within predetermined time frames and so contribute to the formation of knowledge as well as the ability to evaluate this work
• demonstrate the ability in speech and writing both nationally and internationally to clearly report and discuss his or her conclusions and the knowledge and arguments on which they are based in dialogue with different audiences, and
•  demonstrate the skills required for participation in research and development work or autonomous employment in some other qualified capacity.

Judgement and approach For a Degree of Master (120 credits) the student shall

• demonstrate the ability to make assessments in the main field of study informed by relevant disciplinary, social and ethical issues and also to
• demonstrate awareness of ethical aspects of research and development work demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used, and
• demonstrate the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and take responsibility for his or her ongoing learning.

The programme also has the following local outcomes:

Competence and skills

• demonstrate ability to analyse the relationship between the historical development of information technologies and the changing premises for communication and learning
• describe and conceptualise how knowledge and learning is organised in institutions, working life and society based on current research and relevant theoretical approaches

Judgement and approach

• critically investigate, analyse and discuss the interaction between users and information technologies in institutions, working life and society
• evaluate and adapt the design of digital environments for communication and learning in institutions, working life and society

Accreditation of previous studies: Possibilities regarding the accreditation of previous studies as part of the International Master’s Programme in Information Technology and Learning is decided by the Department of Education, Communication and Learning. The study programme will be followed up and evaluated in accordance with the applicable Policy för kvalitetssäkring och kvalitetsutveckling av utbildning vid Göteborgs universitet (Policyfor the Quality assurance and Quality Development of Education at the University of Gothenburg). Evaluation is part of the courses each term within the whole programme and will function as a guide for the on-going courses as well as for the development of future courses. In connection with the final Master thesis, the entire programme will be evaluated and results discussed with the students. The results of the evaluations will be communicated to the students in the course as well as to prospective students who will attend the next course. The language of instruction is English.

Students enrolled in the programme are guaranteed a place in the programme courses provided by the Department of Education, Communication and Learning, and the Department of Applied IT. While all students are guaruanteed a place on the electable courses provided by these departments in year two, there is however no guarantee that students’ first choices can be met.