Overview

Innovative Technologies in Learning course from National University of Sciences and Technology provides a practical forum to look beyond the obvious, to ask questions not yet asked and to provide innovative solutions that could dramatically improve the way people learn - not only for those who go to a school but also those who cannot attend a conventional school. Educational innovation, driven by a need for continuing education in the labor force, is transforming the global industrial landscape. Moreover, this need has also put a lot of stress on producing dynamic and diverse educational entrepreneurs as well as researchers who can steer the next revolution in education. This is the first programme in Pakistan that will address the deficiency of such individuals and aim to create graduates with the ability to “Learn, Think, Apply, Innovate and Educate”.

Unique Features

We have about 5 million adults in Punjab who go to high school, but there are more than 8 million adults who dropout before entering high school. This inequality is becoming more pronounced as times passes. Inequality in education, in opportunities and in financial status of families is linked to disturbing indicators in a society. This is like a time bomb which is ticking not only for the poor but also for the neighbouring rich. The planners have never thought that the poor will never be able to send their children to high school - the school should reach out to their children (at different times) whenever they needed it. Not only the school should reach out, it should provide free textbooks, the required stationery, and more importantly a personalized pedagogy for each learner; fast learners can move swiftly while slow learners are provided additional tools to support their learning. Moreover, we should not forget that the school should only deliver the content needed by the children. The local software industry is swiftly moving towards design of mobile educational applications and games. Currently, there is no pedagogical grounding which can provide a framework for designing interactive applications. The proposed MS programme will enable our graduates to take advantage of the billion-dollar emerging industry dealing with edutainment.

Associated Careers

The objectives of proposed MS in ITL are to develop entrepreneurial innovations in educational practice, to evaluate technology’s impact on learning and development and to excel in designing interactive media content and learning applications. The graduates of this MS programme will be suitable and sought after in the following industry:

• Interactive textbook design
• Schools
• Games and interactive media
• Online education companies
• Instructional designer, online training
• Animation development, children’s, and adults’ educational television network
• Educational start-ups
• War games design and development