Technology in Schools

Educational specialist

From gamified assignments to virtual reality simulations, technology has incredible potential to improve classroom engagement and learning retention. Yet, with all the tools out there, what do you choose — and how do you accurately evaluate its effectiveness?

Rather than spend the school year experimenting with different strategies, gain clarity and confidence as you enhance your lesson plans — and your leadership in the field — with an Educational Specialist (EdSp) degree in Learning Technologies and Design with an Emphasis in Technology in Schools from the University of Missouri (Mizzou).

For master’s degree-holding educators interested in upgrading their skills, this fully online program explores the many ways technology can enrich the learning process. At the same time, courses introduce broader learning design theories, leadership strategies, and their applications in education. You’ll strengthen your ability to design and implement technology-rich learning experiences, evaluate and select the most effective tools for your diverse learners, and cultivate the vision and leadership skills to guide others in making informed, impactful technology decisions.

The School of Information Science and Learning Technologies (SISLT) is a proud member of iSchools, an international coalition of leading information schools.

About the online EdSp in technology in schools

As an educator, you’re continually looking for ways to spark curiosity, make challenging concepts easier to grasp, and create learning experiences that resonate with your students. Strategic technology integration can be the key.

Whether you work in K–12 or higher education, the right tools can make complex ideas more accessible, improve knowledge retention, and foster inclusive learning environments.

The online Educational Specialist Degree (EdSp) in Learning Technologies and Design with an Emphasis in Technology in Schools is a 30-credit-hour program designed for experienced, master’s degree-holding educators who want to advance their expertise in learning technologies, instructional design, and technology leadership. You’ll develop the skills to create instructional materials, evaluate and select effective digital tools, and lead technology integration initiatives that elevate teaching and learning at the classroom, school, or district level.

Through a customized plan of study, you will:

• Explore the role of technology in meeting targeted learning goals at the classroom and school levels.
• Develop skills to select, manage, and integrate technology that enhances teaching and learning.
• Lead technology planning and decision-making to guide colleagues and institutions toward effective, equitable solutions.
• Align learning outcomes with technology-based strategies to maximize impact.
• Advance your knowledge of learning design, web development, and user experience principles to improve lesson plans, create your own tools, and design more equitable interfaces.
• Evaluate the educational potential of virtual reality, multimedia, gaming, and simulation tools.