Description
This Masters in Online Teaching is available globally. It offers you the unique opportunity to study the theory and practice of online and blended teaching through modules created by experts from The Open University's Institute of Educational Technology who are pioneering in the design and delivery of digital teaching, learning and assessment. You’ll study ways in which new media, innovative pedagogies and cutting-edge educational technologies can be used effectively and equitably, across multiple sectors to engage diverse learners and meet their needs.
Key features of the course
- Deepens your understanding of online teaching, learning and assessment, and learning that blends face-to-face and distance education
- Explores cutting-edge technologies such as eXtended and mixed reality and the use of open pedagogy and practice
- Explores how online teaching can address equity, accessibility and inclusion related to disability, mental health, race, gender identity, gender and socio-economic status
- Flexible study pathways offer a choice of topics, course formats and study intensity
Planning your studies
You must be prepared for study at postgraduate level. This usually means holding a bachelors degree – whether from a UK university or from one outside the UK – or its equivalent. However, if you have successfully completed two-thirds of a bachelors degree (an HND in the UK, for example) and have professional experience in technology-enabled learning, you may still be eligible for the programme. You will be asked to provide further information and evidence of your eligibility as part of the registration process for the programme.
All teaching is in English, and your proficiency in the language needs to be adequate for postgraduate study and for contributing to online discussions by text and voice. If English is not your first language, we strongly recommend that you make sure you can achieve a score of at least seven in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). To assess your English Language skills in relation to your proposed studies, you can visit the IELTS website. Although experience of distance education may be an advantage, it is not essential.
How long it takes
Most students study the MA in Online Teaching part-time, completing 60 credits a year over three years. Typically, this means 18 study hours each week.
You can also complete this qualification in 17 months if you study modules concurrently.
You must complete the MA in Online Teaching within six years.
Career relevance and employability
The MA in Online Teaching is closely focused on developing knowledge and skills that can immediately be applied to professional practice. You will explore the implications of learning design and educational technology choices made across a wide range of contexts and organisations, both formal and informal, and for diverse learners. You will advance your skills in selecting and designing with educational technologies and your understanding of how educational technologies can be evaluated.
This qualification is relevant for professionals, including teachers, trainers, lecturers, educational technologists, learning designers, librarians, project managers, entrepreneurs and practice educators in nursing and other subjects.
Careers and Employability Services have more information on how OU study can improve your employability.
Modules
To gain this qualification, you need 180 credits as follows:
Stage 1 (120 credits)
60 credits from:
Plus, 60 credits by completing either:
- four postgraduate OU microcredentials
Microcredentials are 10–12 week professional development courses. Learn more about each microcredential and explore how they can count towards OU qualifications, including the MA in Online Teaching (F98).
or one postgraduate module:
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules EE811 and EE814.
Stage 2 (60 credits)
You'll complete your qualification with 60 credits from the below. This must be the final module studied.
You should note that the University’s unique study rule applies to this qualification. This means that you must include at least 60 credits from OU modules that have not been counted in any other OU qualification that has previously been awarded to you.
Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:
- Knowledge and understanding
- Cognitive skills
- Practical and professional skills
- Key skills
Read more detailed information about the learning outcomes, and how they are acquired through teaching, learning and assessment methods.
Credit for previous study elsewhere
If you’ve successfully completed some relevant postgraduate study elsewhere, you might be able to count it towards this qualification, reducing the number of modules you need to study.
You should apply for credit transfer as soon as possible, before you register for your first module. For more details and an application form, visit our Credit Transfer website.
On completion
On successfully completing this course, we’ll award you our Master of Arts in Online Teaching. You’ll be entitled to use the letters MAOT (Open) after your name.
If your masters degree is awardable with a distinction or a merit, the qualification regulations explain how you can achieve these.
You’ll have the opportunity to attend a degree ceremony.
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
How to register
If you want to study for this qualification, read the description and check you meet any specific requirements (for example, some of
our qualifications, require you to be working in a particular environment, or be sponsored by your employer). Then select the
module you wish to study first and ensure it is suitable for you before following the registration procedure for that module.
During the registration procedure you will be asked to declare which qualification you are studying towards.
See a full list of modules available for this qualification