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Master of Science in Digital Education

Digital education is the innovative use of digital tools and technologies during teaching and learning, often referred to as Technology-Enhanced learning or digital learning. Exploring the use of digital technologies provides teachers with opportunities to design attractive learning situations in the courses they teach. These courses can take forms of blended learning or programs that are presented entirely digitally. Digital education is an inclusive term that expresses any type of learning accompanied by technology or an educational practice that makes effective use of technology. The application includes a wide range of practices including blended and virtual learning. Digital education has gained popularity in the current era because its tools allow students to acquire and develop self-learning skills, so that students are able to analyze what they need to learn, to seek and to use online resources.  Digital learning contributes to increasing the efficiency and productivity of those resources.

The increasing prevalence of digital tools in schools all over the world required the development of digital skills for students and teachers, which led to the importance of the role of digital technology in enabling education to go beyond the boundaries of space and time of traditional classrooms.   This also contributed to incorporating the digital landscape in the classroom and including it firmly in the frame of reference for those who prepare students and teachers to start their professional careers.

Digitization is closely related to education. It focuses engagement in education, using the use of technological innovations.
Surviving with these global requirements and trends, the governments of the GCC countries called for work on empowerment, digital transformation and a knowledge-based economy in which digital technology plays a pivotal role. In light of the rapid digital development, the need for academic programs has emerged that in turn contributes to providing students with the competencies they need in developing their professional lives and refining them. In line with these trends of digital transformation and benefiting from digital technology, there was a need for a program that contributes to achieving these aspirations and provides training opportunities for those wishing from the GCC countries in this field.
Thus, the Master's Program in Digital Education was designed and launched to provide learners with a meaningful and practical experience in digital education and its innovative practices in the field of education. to effectively develop their digital skills and understand the changing environment. The program also aims to equip participants with the competencies they need to enhance their careers in the field of digital education, and the effective employment of technological innovations for educational and training purposes.

Target Populations 

The nature of the program is suitable for technology specialists, educational technicians, digital educational software production professionals, digital education environment management, teachers, and trainers who are looking forward to enhancing digital education competencies and expanding their professional opportunities in this field. If you fall into the mentioned category, the AGU Postgraduate Program in Digital Education and Future Technologies that qualifies for a master's degree in the same field is right for you. This postgraduate program will help you understand the theories underpinning digital education, use and develop new technologies to use and evaluate the latest innovative educational technologies, and look forward to future developments in this field.

The Vision of the Program

Provide high-quality digital knowledge, understanding and skills to learners to help them find and develop innovative and effective digital solutions for teaching and learning problems that adopt a critical perspective and approach.

The Mission of the Program

The program's mission is to equip learners with the knowledge and skills to effectively utilize digital technologies, drive innovation in educational practices, and prepare learners for the challenges and opportunities of the digital age.

The Program Objectives

General Goal/ Objective:

The Master of Science in Digital Education program aims to develop education experts who possess the knowledge and skills to use technology to improve learning and enhance interaction and motivation in digital educational environments.

Specific Goals:

After completing the Master's Program in Digital Education, the candidate will be able to:

  • Explore digital education theories and practices in education and learning
  • Make use of the necessary knowledge and skills in the field of digital education and innovative educational practices in education and learning
  • Design effective and innovative digital learning environments
  • Make use of the principles of learning theories in digital learning environments
  • Make use of the knowledge and skills necessary to analyze the needs of learners and trainees
  • Integrate a variety of digital learning tools to enhance interaction and engagement, and provide educational resources and materials.
  • Develop the ability to manage and understand rapid technological change and its impact on educational processes, institutions, and policies
  • Develop the ability to systematically understand and critically evaluate research methodologies and studies related to digital technologies in education, and to apply this knowledge in actual research projects
  • Develop digital solutions to problems related to education and training and interactive digital educational materials at the lowest possible costs
  • Develop the ability to manage and understand rapid technological change and its impact on educational processes, institutions, and policies
  • Effectively manage digital education management platforms and systems

Program justification

  • Keeping pace with the requirements of digital transformation by the utilization of employing technological innovations to provide educational design specialists and those interested in education with the competencies that enable them to design and develop digital learning courses that work.
  • Competitiveness and continuity, where digital education continues to participate in the continuation of providing education in a mode that suits and meets modern needs.
  • Keeping pace with the fourth industrial revolution in providing education that depends on the involvement of learners in modern educational strategies.
  • Flexibility: Digital education enables the teacher and the student to set their own pace of learning, and there is additional flexibility in setting a schedule that suits everyone's agenda.
  • Developing digital skills and competencies: contributes to providing a wide range of programs that contribute to developing digital skills and competencies for teaching and learning.
  • Providing access to educational resources as digital education enables studying or teaching from anywhere in the world.
  • Digital education allows for a personalized learning experience and is an alternative solution for education during crises and emergencies.
  • Reducing the cost of education and training through cost-effectiveness compared to traditional education.
  • Meeting the local and global demand for digital education specialists who have knowledge of the latest technologies and innovations.
The need for the DE program

Digital learning has become an essential resource for both students and teachers that can be used at home, in the classroom, and on the go to provide a more holistic approach to education. Through digital education, teachers can deliver improved standards of teaching to students and better understand their needs. The Arabian Gulf University Program in Digital Education focuses on preparing learners (teachers, instructional designers, educators, and other specialists in the development and management of digital education environments) from the GCC countries to acquire knowledge and skills related to digital technologies and related innovations and utilize them in educational environments.

Job Opportunities Available for Graduates

Graduates of the M.Ed. in Digital Education program can work in diverse learning and training contexts including public education (K-12), higher education, training through e-learning environments, business enterprises, and international bodies as scientists, educators, software and solution developers, digital professionals, and digital consultants.

Study Plan

Admission Requirements

The applicant for the Master of Science in Digital Education program must meet the following conditions and requirements:

  • Hold a bachelor's degree or its equivalent in any scientific field with a grade of (very good) or (3.00 – 4.00) at least, or obtain a higher diploma in educational sciences.
  • The applicant must pass the entrance exams and personal interview in front of a committee of faculty members in the Department of Digital Education.
  • Must have a minimum average of (5.0) in the American (TOFEL-IBT) test or the British Council (IELTS) test.
    Note: The study will be blended where the courses are taught in both Arabic and English.
Graduation Requirements

A Master's degree in Digital Education requires satisfying the following requirements:

  • Successful completion of courses with a minimum grade point average of (3.00 – 4.00).
  • The minimum completion of the master's degree requirements is two years (4 semesters).
  • Completion of the master's thesis and its approval by the university councils.
The Title of the Awarded Degree

Master's of Science in Digital Education

Study System and Teaching/Learning Methods

The teaching/learning activities in the program start from the same theoretical and practical frameworks on which digital education practices are based, as the study system has a high degree of flexibility as it provides, in addition to face-to-face classroom meetings, activities and learning materials in print and digital forms, in addition to direct support through the Internet, digital multimedia and associated virtual learning environments. Student interaction with the content, student interaction with the teacher, and student interaction with the student; the program emphasizes the importance of these interactions in ensuring the success of the learning process. 

Classes tend to blend lecturer input with group work, computer and video activities, simulation, problem-based learning, and classroom discussions. Teaching places great emphasis on enquiry-based learning (EBL), encouraging students to think critically about their practices and beliefs: consisting of their professional experiences and intuition, theory and research.

The program also encourages individual and collaborative learning and research and promotes the spirit of lifelong learning; there are some learners who have professional experience in teaching, digital learning design or as media professionals, and therefore appreciate their knowledge and practical experience that they bring to the program, and encourages learners to use all sources of professional ideas including their peers.

In addition to the above, the student is directed during his study for each course to benefit from what he has learned in gradually developing a digital education subject in a field of his choice (digital education project), which can continue his master's studies. The student implements the project under the supervision and follow-up of the program professors’ step by step, according to a pre-prepared schedule that is binding on the student. When the student completes the study of the courses that make up the master's program and completes his thesis project, he has successfully achieved the requirements, and the Arabian Gulf University awards him a master's degree in digital education.