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Digital Learning

Study Digital Learning at Waikato and learn how important technology is to education, and how it can be used to enhance educational opportunities and learning. Have you ever wondered about the safety of the internet, asked how online games became so popular, or considered the ethics of Facebook? Help businesses, schools and not-for-profits use learning through digital technologies to enhance their online image, and learn how technology is shaping the future of education.

Study Digital Learning and build your knowledge of digital technologies, develop your understanding of teaching and learning and learn how to design, develop, deploy and evaluate these technologies. Study a range of papers from education, computer science, screen and media studies and graphic design, and learn how to develop educational software, apps and digital games for learning.

With a range of fully online papers, study around your schedule, and with active and supportive staff who are enthusiastic to meet over Zoom or at the Hamilton campus, feel supported throughout your studies.

Help businesses and not-for-profits build and improve their social media presence, investigate how gaming can help people learn and influence society, and learn how eSports may shape the future of sport as we know it, with more people watching the League of Legends final than the US Super Bowl in 2019, and the NBA final in 2016.

Explore key questions including should schools ban cellphones? How ethical is Facebook? What is the difference between virtual reality, augmented reality, mixed reality and extended reality?

Digital Learning is available as a major for the Bachelor of Social Sciences. Digital Learning may also be taken as a second major or as a minor, subject to academic approval of the Faculty or School in which the student is enrolled. It also provides a pathway to postgraduate study in a Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, various Master’s qualifications, a Doctor of Education or a PhD.

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Key information

Area of Study:

Study Digital Learning in these qualifications

Study Digital Learning as a specialisation of

Career opportunities

  • Teacher
  • Community educator
  • Educational software developer
  • Digital games developer
  • Social media marketer

100 Level

Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
COMPX101Introduction to Programming15.024A (Hamilton), 24A (Online), 24B (Hamilton), 24B (Hamilton Waikato College), 24B (Secondary School - Unistart), 24X (Hainan University, Haikou, China) & 24X (Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou China)
This paper introduces computer programming in C# - the exciting challenge of creating software and designing artificial worlds within the computer. It also covers concepts such as the internals of the home computer, the history and future of computers, cyber security, computer gaming, databases, mobile computing and current researc...
COMPX161Introduction to the Web15.024B (Hamilton), 24B (Hamilton Waikato College), 24I (Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou China) & 24X (Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou China)
This paper introduces the core Web technologies of HTML, CSS and JavaScript. Students will learn how to combine these technologies with design principles to produce effective web content.
DLRNG100Developing Digital Fluency15.024A (Online)
This paper offers a foundation for students learning to navigate and communicate effectively through digital learning environments. It incorporates purposeful selection of technologies for learning, and digital literacy which includes being able to research, create, evaluate and apply technical skills while doing so.
DSIGN125Introduction to Communication Design Production15.024A (Hamilton), 24A (Online), 24A (Secondary School - Unistart) & 24X (Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou China)
This paper enables students to perform basic computing operations and to operate software packages for the manipulation of visual images and text for use in print and screen-based applications. Students will be introduced to basic computing concepts and provided with software tutorials and related exercises.
MEDIA101Living in Media Worlds15.024B (Hamilton)
This paper encourages you to reflect on the media technologies, platforms, practices and content that you engage with regularly. How do they support and affect your lifestyle and identity? How does belonging to particular online and offline communities affect how you use and create media? In this paper students learn to understand ...

200 Level

Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
COMPX221Programming for Creative Industries15.024A (Hamilton)
A fundamental grounding in object-oriented programming that uses Processing software to creative visual outputs for creative industries.
COMPX222Web Development15.024B (Hamilton), 24B (Tauranga) & 24X (Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou China)
This paper provides a broad overview of the principles and technologies used in Web Applications, with practical experience of client-side and server-side programming.
COMPX252Applied Computing Tools 215.024A (Hamilton), 24B (Hamilton) & 24H (Hamilton)
This paper provides an opportunity to explore several software applications in depth. It is based on an intensive laboratory programme, where students tailor their choices to their own needs and interests by selecting two themes from a set of modules.
DLRNG200Digital Learning: Critical Perspectives and Lifelong Possibilities15.024A (Online)
This paper examines educational uses of digital technologies, with an emphasis on learning through electronic networks, including social media. The paper explores evolving theoretical shifts and policy directions alongside topical issues and practical perspectives.
DLRNG201Exploring Digital Learning: Design Principles and Teaching Strategies15.024B (Online)
This paper examines pedagogical approaches to digital technology integration in learning contexts, and derives evidence-based principles underpinning effective digital pedagogies. Students learn to apply the principles from literature/sources presented in class to critique and design of digital learning experiences/resources.
MEDIA203Digital Arts and Cultures15.024X (Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou China)
The 21st century has seen a fundamental shift from analogue to digital media systems. This paper will discuss some major aesthetic approaches and theoretical perspectives that have been developed as a means of explaining what is distinctive about digital media and its artistic and cultural applications (aka creative practices using...

300 Level

Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
COMPX324User Experience Design15.024B (Hamilton), 24B (Tauranga) & 24X (Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou China)
An introduction to the field of human-computer interaction (HCI) where students develop skills and techniques for the design and evaluation of modern computer interfaces.
DLRNG300Developing Educational Technologies: Contemporary Social and Educational Issues15.024A (Online)
This paper considers the broad range and pace of development in digital technologies, and implications for educators and others involved in technologies for education and training, including businesses, and new learners.
DLRNG301Digital Innovation Adoption and Theories of Digital Learning15.024B (Online)
This paper explores contemporary theories associated with digital innovation adoption and the design, development and use of digital systems, content and environments, with particular focus on social, distributed, networked and collaborative learning.
DSIGN350Design Internship15.024A (Hamilton) & 24X (Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou China)
This paper will induct the design student into the professional environment where the student applies design skills, research methodology and production skills to allocated projects or industry placement.

Scholarships and prizes

New to Waikato? The International Excellence Scholarship is worth up to $10,000.

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Contacts

Te Kura Toi Tangata School of Education
Phone: 0800 832 242
Email: [email protected]