Overview

The program learning outcomes (PLOs) for the Ed.D. in Educational Technology and Ed.D. in Curriculum & Instruction were revised in the 2025-2026 academic year with input of members of the College of Education’s Research & Doctoral Program Committee.  The revisions were required because (A) We wanted to align the outcomes of the programs, which are not “context” specific, (B) We wanted to expand the EDTECH PLOs to include outcomes that we’ve been including in courses, but were not originally codified, and (C) The PLOs for the C & I program were too specific and needed to be pared down somewhat given expectations related to PLOs via the University’s Institutional Reporting office.

Below, you will find the PLOs as they exists prior to Spring 2026 and how they align to the PLOs now in place for both programs. To learn how courses and experiences in the program help meet the PLOs, please visit the PLO page for Educational Technology and Curriculum & Instruction.

Archived Ed.D. EDTECH Program Learning Outcomes (pre-Spring 2026)

1. Locate and synthesize literature in educational technology.
2. Collaborate with others in the educational technology area (experts, peers, stakeholders, etc.) to design and implement a project.
3. Apply research methodologies to answer questions and enhance practice in educational technology using accepted professional and institutional guidelines and procedures.
4. Leverage expertise gained in a specific area of educational technology for professional practice.
5. Engage in critical analysis of theory as it applies to leadership and culture in the context of educational technology.

Archived Ed.D. C & I Program Learning Outcomes (pre-Spring 2026)

1. The student will be able to develop and design a study to answer quantitative and qualitative research questions.
2. Students will be able to use univariate and multivariate research designs and data analysis methods.
3. Students will be able use different qualitative designs and approaches to qualitative data analysis.
4. Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of emergent research practices and processes.
5. Students will demonstrate knowledge of models and methods of instrument design.
6. Students will demonstrate knowledge of models and methods of program evaluation.
7. Students will be able to conduct and write up research questions appropriate for professional research and publication.
8. Students will be able to conduct and write up research questions appropriate for professional writing for journal and newsletter publication.
9. Students will be able to present at a professional conference.
10. Students will design an evaluation of research proposals for a human subjects/institutional review board review.
11. Students will be able to write grant proposals and other sources of funding.
12. Students will be knowledgeable of approaches of ethical and culturally relevant strategies for conducting research.

Alignment of pre-Spring 2026 PLOs and Revised PLOs

PLO #1 (2026 Revised Version): Locate, summarize, and synthesize literature related to education, its related fields, and the student’s research interests.

Original EDTECH PLO #1: Locate and synthesize literature in educational technology.

Original C & I PLO #7: Students will be able to present at a professional conference.

Original C & I PLO #8. Students will be able to conduct and write up research questions appropriate for professional research and publication.

Original C & I PLO #9: Students will be able to conduct and write up research questions appropriate for professional writing for journal and newsletter publication.

Original C & I PLO #11: Students will be able to write a grant proposals and other sources of funding.

PLO #2 (2026 Revised Version): Demonstrate effective collaboration with one or more colleagues to design and implement a research-based project, presentation, or paper related to the discipline.

Original EDTECH PLO #2. Collaborate with others in educational technology area (experts, peers, stakeholders, etc.) to design and implement a project.

Original C & I PLO #7: Students will be able to present at a professional conference.

Original C & I PLO #8. Students will be able to conduct and write up research questions appropriate for professional research and publication.

Original C & I PLO #9: Students will be able to conduct and write up research questions appropriate for professional writing for journal and newsletter publication.

Original C & I PLO #11: Students will be able to write a grant proposals and other sources of funding.

PLO #3 (2026 Revised Version): Critically assess existing and emerging research and evaluation methods to analyze studies and provide critical perspectives about them.

Original EDTECH PLO #3. Apply research methodologies to answer questions and enhance practice in educational technology using accepted professional and institutional guidelines and procedures.

Original C & I PLO #3. Students will demonstrate knowledge of different qualitative designs and approaches to qualitative data analysis.

Original C & I PLO #4. Students will demonstrate knowledge of models and methods of program evaluation.

Original C & I PLO #5. Students will demonstrate knowledge of models and methods of instrument design.

Original C & I PLO #6. Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of emergent research practices and processes.

Original C & I PLO #10. Students will design an evaluation of research proposals for a human subjects/institutional review board review.

PLO #4 (2026 Revised Version): Apply research methodologies to design an empirical investigation in accordance with accepted professional and institutional guidelines and procedures.

Original EDTECH PLO #3. Apply research methodologies to answer questions and enhance practice in educational technology using accepted professional and institutional guidelines and procedures.

Original C & I PLO #1. The student will be able to develop and design a study to answer quantitative and qualitative research questions.

Original C & I PLO #2. Students will be able to use univariate and multivariate research designs and data analysis methods.

Original C & I PLO #3. Students will be able use different qualitative designs and approaches to qualitative data analysis.

PLO #5 (2026 Revised Version): Apply expertise gained from research in education and its related fields to make recommendations that inform and guide professional practice.

Original EDTECH PLO #4. Leverage expertise gained in a specific area of educational technology for professional practice.

Original C & I PLO: (nothing specific existed)

PLO #6 (2026 Revised Version): Critically analyze and apply theory as it relates to leadership, culture, and contexts.

Original EDTECH PLO #5. Engage in critical analysis of theory as it applies to leadership and culture in the context of educational technology.

Original C & I PLO #12. Students will be knowledgeable of approaches of ethical and culturally relevant strategies for conducting research.

PLO #7 (2026 Revised Version): Analyze and articulate ethical considerations and culturally relevant issues within the study and practice of education and related fields.

Original EDTECH PLO: (nothing specific existed). However, it was assumed that the following statement from Ed.S./EDTECH, PLO#6 also applied to the Ed.D. program, even if it was not included in the original list: Describe the challenges and opportunities that arise at the intersection of ethical issues (ex., social justice, equity, diversity, accessibility, etc.) and the field of educational technology

Original C & I PLO #12. Students will be knowledgeable of approaches of ethical and culturally relevant strategies for conducting research.