Wilkes U and Discovery Education Collaborate on Online Master's in Instructional Media

• By Dian Schaffhauser
• 06/20/08

This fall Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, PA and Discovery Education, which produces digital media-based learning, are launching a new online master's degree program in instructional media. The 30-credit instructional media program will prepare teachers to engage today's students in learning through digital media. Courses will focus on topics such as digital storytelling, using digital media in the classroom, using technology to support creativity and applying brain-based theories of how students process information to technology integration.

"Pupil expectations are important to consider for teachers of all grade levels," said Michael Speziale, dean of the College of Graduate and Professional Studies. "Students currently in schools are a part of the millennial generation who are digital natives and thrive on media-rich environments. The master's in instructional media combines best practices in 21st century teaching with the outstanding expertise and media services from Discovery Education."

According to Eduventures, an educational research and consulting firm, the market for digital educational materials is forecasted to have grown to $9.6 billion in 2007. "Unfortunately, resources to educate teachers on the effective implementation of digital instructional media have not kept pace," Bill Goodwyn, Discovery Education president, said. "The new degree program... fills this gap, providing affordable higher education for teachers across the country."

Since 2005, Discovery Education and Wilkes University have worked together to help teachers integrate educational technology into classroom curriculum. This latest partnership uses a sequence of courses developed by Wilkes instructors in concert with Discovery Education experts to provide an online degree option to educators across the country.

For example, Kathy Schrock, a nationally known leader in technology integration in the classroom, will design "Internet Tools for Teaching," scheduled to begin in spring 2009.

This month, Wilkes will begin accepting applications for the Fall semester.

Discovery Education is a division of Discovery Communications, whose networks include Discovery Channel, Animal Planet and Science Channel.