Program of Learning Sciences
Introduction
The Program of Learning Sciences is newly established (since 2017) at National Taiwan Normal University to cultivate professionals in the field of learning sciences, such as data scientists, data analysts, data engineers, and software engineers whose aim involves researching and improving human learning experiences. This program is currently the first of its kind in Taiwan that offers professional courses in the field of learning sciences.
The Program of Learning Sciences focuses on the convergence of educational technology, data science, and information science. It also offers additional faculty and resources from two post-graduate programs of the School of Learning Informatics, including the Graduate Institute of Library and Information Studies and Graduate Institute of Information and Computer Science.
Goals
1. Cultivate professionals in the field of learning sciences
2. Innovate new forms of research and applications of learning
3. Develop students’ integrated knowledge and skills among the fields of statistics, programming, data mining and analysis, learning psychology and data science.
Features
The Program of Learning Sciences affiliates with the Graduate Institute of Library and Information Studies and Graduate Institute of Information and Computer Science as the School of Learning Informatics and collaborates with the Institute for Research Excellence in Learning Sciences, NTNU. Thus, in addition to regular classroom activities, students can also make use of facilities such as future classrooms, eye-movement lab, brain wave lab, digital archives and E-publishing lab, information literacy and E-learning lab, and virtual reality lab.
Degree Requirement
The total credit hours required for graduation is 128. In addition to the core curriculum, this program is module-based and divided into two distinct modules: educational technology, and information science. Students have to complete at least four courses from the two modules so that the interest and specialization of each individual student can be nurtured. In order to shorten the gap between theory and practice, this program also offers a series of courses such as capstone courses, internship and seminar courses as core courses. These courses are organized by the program office, with faculty offering assistance throughout.
Career Prospects
1. This program addresses global trends calling for professionals in the related learning sciences fields as software engineers/designers, data analysts/scientists, and educational game designers.
2. Graduates of this program meet the demands of relevant e-learning professionals to support ICT-supported learning in government agencies, private industry sectors/NGOs, and formal/informal educational institutions and organizations.
3. Graduates of this program also can seek their learning pathways to several related fields such as information/data science, computer science and information engineering, as well as education to advance their future academic careers.
Graduate Institute of Library and Information Studies
Ph.D. Program
Our Ph.D. program emphasizes the theoretical, innovative, and fundamental aspects of Library and Information Studies. With the rapid development of digital content and Internet technologies, new forms of knowledge media and service models have emerged and led to major paradigm shifts in library and information studies field. Our doctoral program curriculum centers on the following six key domains of interest:
l Theories and Research Methods in Library and Information Studies.
l Theories and Methods of Information and Knowledge Organization.
l Theories and Methods of Information Use and Users.
l Information Service and Organization Management.
l Digital and Internet Technologies.
l Knowledge Industry and Information Society.
Master Program
The curriculum design of our master’s program emphasizes integration and application of knowledge. In addition to core courses on theories and methods, students are encouraged to take key courses valuing both theories and practices, for developing independent thinking and practical ability. The specially designed “Digital Archives and E-Publishing Laboratory”, “Information Literacy and E-Learning Laboratory”, and “Knowledge Discovery and Artificial Intelligence in Digital Humanities” are for students to develop abilities for multimedia research and applications through hands-on experiences of designing and developing digital services, E-learning, knowledge, and AI systems. Through the practical training, students are able to become information service professionals who are familiar with both digital media and knowledge management.
Online Continuing Education Master’s Program of Library and Information Studies
To realize the ideals of in-service education, the education goal of our In-Service Master’s program is to cultivate library information service talents to possess technology skills and managerial abilities. The key courses include Planning and Management of Digital Library and Information Services Systems, Design and Development of Online Information Services, Multimedia Systems Applications, and Management and Marketing of Library Information Systems.
Graduate Institute of Information and Computer Education
Our mission is to prepare students at the master’s and doctoral levels to become leaders in the professions of e-learning and computer education. Students focusing on e-learning studies are expected to graduate with adequate knowledge and skills to promote e-learning and be able to contribute to the modernization of education and training systems. Students concentrating on computer education studies shall acquire professional competence in implementing technology-enhanced learning and computer science education at all school levels. This is accomplished by providing a high-quality, comprehensive educational experience for our students.
The master’s program requires completion of no less than 28 credits and a master’s thesis, whereas students in the Ph.D. program are required to complete 24 credits of coursework and a dissertation.
M.S. Degree (26 students/year)
Ph.D. Degree (7 students/year)