Pepperdine University Ed.D Program Overview

  The doctoral concentration in Educational Technology has been designed to prepare leaders in the field of technological applications and innovation in the world of education and business. All courses for this program are taken with a cadre, or team, with an annual intake in the fall. Course work is integrated with  face-to-face meetings and  online segments, creating a truly distributed learning environment. The majority of communication occurs online through newsgroups, Web pages, and real-time "chat" in a virtual environment hosted by BlackBoard and Pepperdine. Coursework concludes with the taking of the comprehensive exam covering all thee years of coursework.  I have completed all of the following coursework and passed the exam.

Course Descriptions and Projects

 ED 771A, B Human Computer Interaction (HCI)
Studies in human computer interaction revolve around the ways in which people directly interact with computers. This course covers a historical overview of the field, the process of developing interactive systems, interacting with computers, psychology and human factors, and research frontiers. The course follows the shift away from the deterministic model of computer as "object," and develops an understanding of the notion of technology as a "socially shaped" phenomenon.

 ED 770A, B Learning and Design
This course is part of a series of courses designed to update and deepen the student's understanding of the relationship between theories of learning and the role of technology. This course extends over two terms. Ideas and work in this course support and develop learning in ED 771: Human Computer Interaction. The study focuses on recently predominant cognitive theory and the current vanguard sociocultural historical theory, sometimes referred to as Vygotskian or Russian Psychology.

 Required Reading

  ED 700 or ED 700A, B Leadership of Human Endeavor in the Institutional Setting

Traditional approaches to understanding leadership as well as contemporary theories and styles of leadership are examined for their application to work settings, which are increasingly influenced by globalization. Students examine principal underpinnings of leadership, such as one's values, philosophy of life, and belief about the nature of humankind. In a combination theory-laboratory setting, students focus on personal mastery, systems thinking, and the impact of technology on leadership. Laboratory experiences are designed to develop leadership skills in group facilitation at the affective and cognitive levels to maximize team membership and productivity.

  Required Reading/Viewing

ED 729  Communication and Information Technology
Prepares students for graduate level oral and written communication using today's technological tools. Emphasis is given to developing skills for scholarly writing and enhancing information literacy. (Students in the Educational Leadership, Administration, and Policy; and the Organization Change concentrations enroll in 3 units. Educational Technology students enroll in 2 units.

Required Reading 

ED 714 or ED 714A, B Management of Human Resources
Focuses on human resources management in educational and industrial settings and includes the study of collective bargaining, state and federal regulations covering employment, personnel processes and systems, compensation, and internal and external organizational influences upon individual morale, motivation, satisfaction, and performance.

Required Reading

ED 721 Policy Development
This course is designed so that the student understands policy, the reasons for its existence, and how it is developed. The course underscores the central sources that generate need for policy, such as resource scarcity and conflicting values. The course focuses on the major factors that influence policy development and how stakeholders--individuals and organizations--approach the construction of policy development.

ED 722 Program Planning and Induction Seminar
Provides students admitted to the preparation program leading to the Professional Administrative Services Credential (Tier II) with assistance in planning an individualized program of study based upon the candidate's need for further professional preparation and development. A pre-assessment is conducted in coordination with the student's employer.

ED 723 Candidate Assessment Seminar
Assesses the competence of the candidate for the Professional Administrative Services Credential. The student enrolls in the seminar after all elements of the individualized program are completed. During the seminar, the representative of the employing school district, the candidate 's mentor (if different), and the University advisor participate in a summative evaluation conference with the candidate. The candidate presents a professional portfolio that includes a summary of university and nonuniversity activities and a description of how the individualized program plan was addressed by those activities.

ED 724 Ethics and Society
An introduction to the science of ethics. The intent is to provide the foundation for the art of value clarification and responsible educational leadership in society. The student researches an issue, isolates the ethical issues both pro and con, and considers viable alternatives consistent with the ethical and moral values of the American democratic society.

ED 730A, B Research and Evaluation-Qualitative and Quantitative
Examines theory and practice in the design, conduct, analysis, and interpretation of experimental, quasi-experimental, and survey procedures for educational research and evaluation. It also includes a discussion of qualitative research and a study of sampling, methods of control, data collection, and the communication of empirical results. An individual research project is required.

ED 734 or ED 734A, B Data Analysis and Interpretation
Provides skills in the use of principles and methods for both descriptive and inferential statistics. It includes a study of measures of central tendency, variability, position, and relationship. Basic distributions, such as the binomial and normal, are introduced. The course focuses on an introduction to such inferential techniques as chisquare, the analysis of variance and covariance, and multivariate analysis. Both parametric and nonparametric procedures are included. The course will also emphasize how descriptive and inferential approaches can be applied to the interpretation of data. Students will be expected to utilize appropriate statistical software.

ED 758 Consultancy Project

Allows the student to apply their knowledge, skills, and values to a real-world problem. Students identify a project-based issue, concern, and problem, identify a set of strategies to meet the projected goals, seek the assistance of a mentor in achieving the goals, and begin to implement strategies to achieve a solution to the issue or problem. The issue for study can be identified during the first academic year. The consultancy course spans more than one semester and includes plan preparation and approval, implementation of the plan, presentation of results to clients, and an evaluation of the projects. Consulting topics may serve as a basis for comprehensive exam topics.

ED 762 or ED 762A, B Transforming Organizations in a Global Community
This seminar focuses on current change theory, futurist literature, and major world trends in education and related disciplines. Special emphasis is placed on the methodologies employed by futurists in forecasting the future and in implementing new educational programs.

ED 766 Cultural Dimensions in Global Management
Designed to enable the student to become a change agent who can function in multicultural settings. This need is driven by the rapid development of foreign economics, the increasing availability of technical and financial resources, and the emergence of a global economy. Students gain a basic understanding of culture as it relates to present organizations and transorganizations within a global framework. The course emphasizes organizations that are global within as well as outside the United States , multinational organizations, transnational organizations, as well as global, social-change issues. Some of the issues covered include adapting organization development strategies to the culture blinders, understanding cultural diversity and the effect of cultural values on the organization change process, and applying strategy to dramatically changing environments.

ED 773 Managing the Technological Environment
This course is designed to assist managers in a technology-based environment. Working in groups, students will form a virtual corporation designed to provide a product or service that is considered marketable. This work will include preparation of a business plan. In addition, students will carry out individual case studies of management styles in a technology-rich environment. A central focus of the course will be the analysis of individual strengths and the development of a personal management style.

ED 785 Contemporary Topics
In this course, students examine several of a broad range of contemporary topics. Examples of possible topics are strategic management, institutional advancement, societal factors affecting education, board-administration relationships, advanced product development, networking, legal aspects of development, and consultancies.

During the first year of the program, students spend five days abroad exploring the long-established European perspective on computer-supported collaborative work and learning. In the spring of the second year, the cadre of 25 students prepares white paper documents on policy issues and travels to Washington D.C. to spend time in small group discussions, appointments, and hearings with decision makers and analysts in key postions to impact technology policy and practice in the United States.