Today's students are active learners who are fully engaged with technology.

That's according to CQUniversity researcher Dr Michael Cowling who praises the introduction of new postgraduate programs providing tools for engagement with these learners. Dr Cowling is researching the nexus between technology and classroom experiences and feels that integration of ICT is vital to the classroom of the 21^st century.

CQUniversity is introducing postgraduate e-Learning programs which integrate professional knowledge about learning and technology with practical, experience-based learning.

"Today's student grew up with technology and doesn't know a world where technology wasn't a part of daily life. All teachers, whether primary, secondary or tertiary, need the tools to engage with these learners and the new CQUniversity programs provide them with this training," says Dr Cowling.

A new Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma of e-Learning are being offered by distance education. These programs are being designed for teachers and trainers in all fields of education including the K-12, VET, Higher Education, business, industry and corporate fields.

They will result in professionals who are able to facilitate and drive institutional learning through Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in distance, blended, and face-to-face learning contexts.

CQUniversity Education lecturer and Head of Program Wendy Fasso notes the Ministerial Council on Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs (MCEETYA) stance: "Pedagogies that integrate information and communication technologies can engage students in ways not previously possible, enhance achievement, create new learning possibilities and extend interaction with local and global communities".

Ms Fasso adds that education communities strive to respond to the rapidly evolving needs and aspirations of their learners. 

"Ongoing renewal and enhancement of their pedagogical skillset is an essential response to the rapid growth and diversification of learning opportunities supported by expansion of technologies for learning," she says.

CQUniversity's e-Learning programs identify contemporary practices and technologies to support, enhance and transform the online learning experience. Students will gain knowledge in the technical skills to support learning with ICT, together with the creativity and inventiveness that emerge from strong pedagogical design foundations.

The new e-Learning programs are offered via distance education and have been designed with professionals in the industry in mind, allowing for flexible and individualised learning within each individual's teaching and training context.

CQUniversity has a fine reputation for innovative postgraduate programs which enable students to tailor their degree to areas of interest in the workplace.

"You can manage your learning through a structured process that allows flexibility in your chosen specialisation," says Dean of Education Professor Helen Huntly.

"For example, the Master of Learning Management is offered by distance education making it accessible anytime, anywhere. This means that you can study at a time and location that suits you!

"You will have the opportunity to develop and research specific topics related to the workplace within a ‘practitioner practice' framework," Prof Huntly says.

"As a registered teacher, with postgraduate specialisations, you are able to work in a variety of educational and leadership settings. Educators with postgraduate specialisations are able to work in management or leadership positions in a variety of professional and community settings.

"Upon successful completion of four selected core courses, you may exit the Master of Learning Management (Specialisation) with a Graduate Certificate of Learning Management (Specialisation)."

Current popular specialisations include: Executive Leadership; Special Education; and Early Childhood with other options subject to sufficient enrolments including educational multimedia, professional education, middle schooling and teaching English as a foreign language. 

These programs build on conceptual knowledge, understanding and skills, developed at an undergraduate level, of issues that influence implementation of curriculum and pedagogy and desired educational outcomes.

For further details contact 13 CQUni (13 27 86).

Dr Michael Cowling 
Professor Helen Huntly 
Teachers can use technology to enhance learning 
Wendy Fasso