Instructional and Learning Technologies
  • Overview
  • Programs
  • Courses
  • Degree Plans

The Instructional and Learning Technologies Department (ILT) in the College of Education, Sultan Qaboos University was established in 2005. The Department strives to achieve excellence in its provision of teaching, research, and social services in the field of instructional and learning technologies. The Department was established to meet the needs of the Ministry of Education for Bachelor level Information Technology teachers and Learning Resources Center specialists, and the need to re-qualify current non-specialized IT teachers.

The Department admits 25-30 students each year. The graduates of this program are qualified to be in-service IT teachers, and specialists in operating and managing Learning Resource Centers, besides developing Instructional multimedia training materials for both public and private sectors.


Vision:

To excel in courses and programs to meet international standards and contribute in creating a knowledge-based society, and the employment of technology and information in various fields.


Mission:

 Teaching, research, community service and educational innovations and their employment, to serve scientific and technological advancement.


Department objectives:

 Through its programs and activities at the undergraduate and graduate levels, the Instructional and Learning Technologies department aims to:

  • Achieve university objectives according the prescribed strategy at both college and university levels  for teachers and LRC specialists to master ICT skills in the fields of ET and IT.
  • Link the programs offered with the socio-economic and political changes in Oman.
  • Train the students to acquire planning, design, development, use, management, and evaluation skills of ET/ICT and LRC processes related to these technologies.
  • Develop technology leadership and change, innovation dissemination, and problem solving in Omani education and HRD sectors.
  • Conduct research in the fields of educational technology and its recent developments, such as e-Learning, m-Learning, and b-Learning.
  • Conduct edification workshops and seminars to raise the academic and local communities' awareness of the importance of ET and its developmental effects in the realization of knowledge based society.
  • Provide Omani society with specialists in the fields of e-courses and software design, e-publishing, and virtual research and learning resources centers.
  • Adopt new learning theories supported by research findings.
  • Provide academic and technical consultation and exchange expertise on ICT and its applications with different institutions.

The department offers the following programs:

Bachelor of Education in ILT

The programme aims at providing teachers and specialists in ILT, Human Resource Development and Training. It contributes to train currently in-service IT teachers and LRC supervisors. In order for student teachers to possess competencies of teaching these subjects, they study various educational courses (e.g. Curriculum and Methods of Teaching, Educational Psychology, Foundations of Education, and Instructional Technology). These are supplemented by practice in labs and microteaching sessions. Besides, they do teaching practice in Basic and Post-Basic education schools. To be registered in the ILT major, a student should get a minimum grade of ‘C‘ in the following subjects: Basic Arabic language, Basic English Language and Mathematics, Pure Mathematics or Applied Mathematics.

 

The student will then be interviewed to ensure fluency in Arabic, physical fitness and desire to study the major.

 

Students enrolled in this program must complete (125) credit hours distributed as follows:

  • University requirements:         12 credit hours
  • Major requirements:                86 credit hours
  • Sub-Major requirements:         18 credit hours
  • Major electives:                         9 credit hours 

The department offers a range of courses in the field of educational technology. Below is a description of each course:

 

Tech(1201) 3cr. Utilization and maintenance of instructional devices.  (2hrs.Lecture/2hrs.Lab)

The aim of this course is to provide students with the necessary skills for the utilization and maintenance of instructional devices. It presents the primary systems of the projected and non-projected devices with their various accompanying materials. It also, discusses the principles of operation and safety consideration. The course also shows how to overcome some simple malfunctions.


Tech(4111) 3cr. Instructional Computer.  (2hrs.Lecture/2hrs.Lab)

This course introduces students to the different uses of computers in teaching. It presents historical development of computer utilization in education at   different contexts. It also, discusses the roles of computers as tools for critical and innovative thinking. Computer based collaborative instruction will be emphasized. Computerized learning environments will be studied in details.


Tech(3202) 3cr. Designing and producing multi media.  (2hrs. Lecture/2hrs.Lab)

This course presents basics and characteristics of software. It emphasizes the designing principles, production, selection, utilization and evaluation. It discusses multi media projects based learning: Authorware, Hyper card, Tool book and other authoring programs will be studied. Also, this course compares and analyses some multimedia instructional programs systems. Some interactive programs will be designed and produced by students in their projects. 


Tech(4211) 3cr. Quality assurance and control in instruction.  (2hrs.Lecture/2hrs.Seminar)

The aim of this course is to introduce students to the concept of Quality assurance and control in instructional and training programs. Topics in this course include, ways of quality monitoring, standards of quality, evaluation standards of quality programs, students’ needs standards and the characteristics of the quality of basics of instructional processes and training.


Tech(2211 ) 2cr. Distant Learning.  (2hrs.Lecture/1hrs.Seminar)

The aim of this course is to introduce students to the basics of distant education, its importance, goals, and requirements. It presents the process of designing open education materials and its utilization. Also, the course introduces students to teleconferencing technologies and systems and its basics infrastructure.


Tech (1101) 3cr. Educational Technology.  (Theory and field. 2hrs.Lecture /2hrs.Seminar)

This course includes basic concepts in instructional technology, theoretical and philosophical foundations, components of educational technology fields, roles and functions of each components. In addition to that, the course presents the historical development of educational technology field and the factor that contributed to its application. Professional ethics for practicing educational technology will be highlighted.


Tech(4101) 3cr. Instructional Design.  (2hrs.Lecture/2hrs.Lab)

The aim of this course is to present instructional program design process. Topics include: the concept of instructional design, its background, its importance, its relation with learning theories and system approach. Beside this the course compares different instructional design models with analysis to its basic elements e.g. needs assessment, learner analysis, concept analysis, task analysis, instructional strategies selection and formative and summative evaluation of instructional materials.


Tech (2221) 2cr. Instructional mass media.  (2hrs.Lecture/1hrs.Lab)

This course addresses the role of school audio and video broadcasting in improving the instructional process. Topics include: The basic elements of a school broadcasting system; how to technically set up an audio and video broadcasting systems; designing, producing, and evaluating instructional radio and video programs.


Tech(3212) 3cr. Internet and Web-based learning.  (2hrs. Lecture/2hrs.Lab)

This course covers the basics and historical developmental use in education, and web-based design; its concepts, objectives, principles, infrastructure, environments, areas of applications, and its relationship to distance learning, and classroom instruction. In addition, the course addresses other issues such as the principles of web page design; different approaches to form, manage and evaluate web-based learning materials and groups


Tech(3112) 3cr. Learning Resources & Technology Centers (1).  (2hrs.Lecture/2hrs.Seminar) 

The course covers the mission, objectives, facilities, equipments, and organizational structure of the LRTC. In addition, it addresses the instructional role of these centers, and their relationships with other elements in the educational systems.


CUTM(3019) 3cr. Information Technology Teaching Methods (1).   (2hrs.Lecture/2hrs.Lab)

This course addresses new method and trends in teaching information technology, and equips the students with the required knowledge and skills for teaching the information technology subject in basic education. Topics include: teaching methods, content analysis, lesson planning, implementation, and evaluation, and other related activities. The students will also practice these skills in computer micro-teaching labs.


CUTM (4019) 3cr. Information Technology Teaching Methods (2).  (2hrs.Lecture/2hrs.Lab)

This is an advance course in teaching methods and instructional strategies for information technology. It explains the nature of the information technology subject, and how to apply different instructional theories and models in teaching that subject. The course also aims at training the students in developing, utilizing, and evaluating technology-based learning environments. The students will be given more opportunities to   practice their acquired teaching, and instructional skills. 


Tech (4100) 3 cr. Evaluation in Instructional Technology.  (2hrs.Lecture/2hrs.seminar)

 The course covers various models, and methods of evaluation in the area of instructional technology such as needs assessment, front-end analysis, process evaluation, project evaluation, and learning resources centers’ service evaluation. In addition, the course will expose the students to different methods for formative and summative evaluation.


Tech (3133) 3cr. Computer Laboratories’ networks.  (2hrs.Lecture/2hrs.Lab)

This course aims at training the students in designing, implementing, managing, and maintaining Local Area Networks (LAN). The course also covers evaluation and selection of the hardware and software needed for operating, and connecting, and securing computer systems in Local Area Networks.


Tech (2231) 3cr. Computer Hardware and Software.  (2hrs.Lecture/2hrs.Lab)

This course covers in great details the components and functions of the computer hardware and software. The course also introduces the students to the technical procedures for assembling and maintaining computer hardware and accessories, and installing software and operating systems.


Tech (3113) 3cr. Instructional Video Production.  (2hrs.lecture/2hrs.lab)

This course covers the design and production of instructional video, shooting and production using the video camera. Additionally, it illustrates the different ways of using the sound and light in producing these videos. It discuss the different ways of writing script and narration, the direction process, the digital production skills, and the supervision of group project in producing instructional video programs


Tech(3213) 3cr. Learning Resources & Technology Centers(2).  (2hrs.Lecture/2hrs.Lab)

This course aims to prepare the student for managing, maintaining, and improving the quality and services of the learning resources and technology centers. This course explains in details different types of managing LRTC e.g. management by objectives, collaborative management and so on. Also, the course discusses different ways of encouraging teachers to adopt new technologies for teaching and students’ learning.


Tech(4242) 3cr. Research and Studies in Instructional Technology.  (2hrs.Lecture/2hrs.Seminar)

This course aims to cover different studies and research papers in the field of teaching and learning technology, and discuss the new patterns in the design of learning environments and information and communication systems in the educational and training contexts. It focuses on the problems of the design, the production and the use of these technologies and copyright issues of the instructional materials.


Tech(1103) 3cr. Information Technology in education.  (2hrs. Lecture/2hrs.Seminar)

The course aims to provide the student with the needed information knowledge through defining the significance if information, its values, the role of the information organizations in the society, their types, goals, functions, services and their contribution to develop and organize the information resources. In addition, the course provides students with the basic information seeking skills.


Tech(4201) 2cr. Educational Technology in Oman.  (2hrs.Lecture/1hrs.Seminar)

This course illustrates the development of using educational technology in Oman and presents the obstacles facing technologies and the ways to overcome these obstacles. It also discuss the different ways of diffusing and adopting the use of the new technologies in learning and teaching.


Tech(3223) 2cr. Individualized Instruction.  (2hrs.Lecture/1hrs.Seminar)

This course covers the definition of individualized instruction, its significance, and its types with concentrations on Programmed learning, Personalized systems of instruction, Instructional games and simulations, Programmed tutoring, Audio tutorials systems, Collaborative Learning, self-study programs and their application in learning process.


InfoR(3305) 3cr. Classification.  (2hrs. Lectures/2hrs.Labs)

The course aims to define the Classification, its significance, functions, the components of the Categorization System, and the different methods of Classification of library materials. It also covers the basic skills in information resources Classification according to the modern Classification systems like Congress and Dewey systems.


Info(3401) 3cr. Library and Information Services.  (2hrs.Lectures/2hrs.Lab/Field)

The course aims to define the traditional and non-traditional(electronically) information services that libraries and information centers offer. It trains the student in the different ways of offering these services.


Tech(4999)3cr. Graduation Project.  (Independent study)

This course aims to integrate the students skills gained throughout the program, where each student is supervised independently; and is required to plan and produce a complete technology enhanced instructional package.


Tech( 3222) 3cr. Computer Programming (1).  (2hrs. Lectures/2hrs.Labs)

This course covers the basic skills of programming in computer languages such as HTML, Visual Basic, and Action Script for Flash animation, with special emphasis on instructional purposes. It leads the student to be able to produce instructional software specifically serving areas of speciality.


Tech(3224) 3cr. Computer Programming (2).  (2hrs. Lectures/2hrs.Labs)

This course covers the advanced skills of programming in computer languages such as XHTML, and PHP, and JAVA, with special emphasis on instructional purposes. The course also covers instructional applications which have some basic programming such as Authorware, Dolphi, and HyperStudio.


Tech(3000) 3cr. Dissemination of Educational innovations.  (2hrs. Lectures/2hrs.Seminar.

This course aims at increasing the students’ awareness of dissemination models and strategies. It emphasizes the four major areas of the adoption process: awareness, interest, observation, and adoption of educational innovation. It also gives the students the skills needed for planned educational change, and production of a diffusion plan for any educational innovation.


Tech(2000) 2cr. E-Learning Courseware Development.  (1hrs. Lectures/2hrs.Labs)

This course examines the design, development, and evaluation of self-based E-learning lessons; and the design of E-learning courses using ready made learning management systems such as Blackboard, and Moodle.


Tech(3220) 3cr. E-Learning Strategies (1).  (2hrs. Lectures/2hrs.Case Studies)

This course addresses the pedagogical, institutional, cultural, and technological aspects of E-learning. It critically explores current theories, conceptual models, practices, trends and issues in the digital delivery of learning in relations to these aspects.


Tech(3422 ) 3cr. E-Learning Strategies (2).  (2hrs. Lectures/2hrs.Seminar)

This course addresses the interface design, management, evaluation, and ethical aspects of E-learning. It also covers features of synchronous and asynchronous formats of E-learning delivery. It also explores the future of E-learning and possibilities of developing and utilizing it locally. 

The department  of Instructional and Learning Technologies runs the following degree plans: