Michael T. Kelly, Interim Dean
Linda Wood, Department Administrator
MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001
The field of learning sciences advances the knowledge and practice of learning from multiple theoretical perspectives and disciplines. The Organization, Information, and Learning Sciences (OILS) program offers a unique perspective on learning sciences by concentrating on the convergence of organization development, information design and data management, and instructional design and instructional technology. The program focuses on learning at the individual, group, and organizational levels.
OILS offers bachelor, master, and doctoral degrees for individuals interested in improving the learning experiences of adults in businesses, non-profits, government, and schools through the application of instructional and organizational practices and technologies, and methods for designing, managing, analyzing, visualizing, and preserving data and information. The OILS program prepares leaders who facilitate organizational learning, instructional technology, and data management initiatives in real world settings.
Learning is a life-long process, which is stimulated by active participation, a respect for individuals’ past experiences and diversity, critical reflection, and dialogue.
Courses
OILS 320.
Information Management for Professionals.
(3)
Students will create a database of the major information resources within a specific discipline. They will also learn research strategies, and economic and ethical issues surrounding information policy.
OILS 391 / 591.
Problems.
(1-3 to a maximum of 18 Δ)
OILS 420.
Creativity and Technical Design.
(3)
Design theory and principles as applied to the research and development functions of industry. Product development via team organization, brainstorming, data analysis, oral presentations and creative problem solving. Two lectures, 3 hours lab.
OILS 421.
Production and Utilization of Instructional Materials.
(3)
Includes training in the use of media production and display equipment, production of graphic materials, overhead transparencies, slides, audio recordings, posters and criteria for effective design and use of media materials in training and education. Lab fee required.
OILS 466.
Principles of Adult Learning.
(3)
Explores the world of the adult learner from historic, social, political and pragmatic perspectives. Issues of life stages, culture, teaching theory and andragogical practice are considered as they relate to the practice of adult learning.
OILS 470.
Workplace Training.
(3)
Introduction to the concepts of training in the corporate sector.
OILS 471.
Designing Training.
(3)
Introduction to the principles of planning and designing of training packages and programs.
OILS 472.
Training Techniques.
(3)
Introduction to the development of instructional training methods and strategies for corporate training programs.
OILS 473.
Measuring Performance in Training.
(3)
Principles of evaluation of instruction and trainee performance applied to organizational training programs.
OILS 481.
Technological Change and Society.
(3)
Focus on industry as humanity’s systematic effort to provide the necessities and conveniences of life. In addition to developing a historical perspective, students will study in depth a variety of industrial organizations that provide goods and services to meet the needs and desires of society.
OILS 483.
Instructional Applications: Computer Technology.
(3)
An introduction to instructional applications of computer technology using integrated software. Includes instruction in techniques of using integrated software to manage computer instruction, to manage student records and achievements, and to produce and use ancillary materials. Current representative integration software will be used.
OILS 492 / 592.
Workshop.
(1-4 to a maximum of 13 Δ)
OILS 493 / 593.
Topics.
(1-3, no limit Δ)
OILS 495.
Field Experience.
(3-6 to a maximum of 12 Δ)
Planned and supervised professional laboratory or field experiences in agency or institutional setting.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
Restriction: permission of instructor.
OILS 500.
Contemporary Instructional Technologies: Survey.
(3)
An overview of contemporary instructional technologies and how they can be utilized to improve the effectiveness of instruction. Students will gain expertise in selecting and using appropriate instructional technologies supporting the achievement of performance-based objectives.
OILS 501.
Presentation Technologies.
(3)
Designed to increase the effectiveness of presentations for educator/trainers using a variety of presentation technologies. Utilizing ISD principles, students engage in production of media to develop an instructional package. Special Fee.
OILS 502.
Instructional Multimedia.
(3)
An introduction to computer based learning environments incorporating multiple forms of media. Students study the theories applicable to multimedia learning, gain practical skills for implementing simple systems, and design a large scale multimedia learning environment. Lab fee.
Prerequisite: 501 and 541 and 543.
OILS 503.
Digital Video Techniques for Instruction.
(3)
This course provides resources and guidance as students conceive, design, script, shoot and edit digital video footage. Students will learn to create instructional video sequences based on theories of learning and instructional design principles.
Prerequisite: 541 and 543.
OILS 504.
Instructional Use of Computer Simulations.
(3)
Students will review shareware, public domain, and complex interactive commercial simulations; explore theory and survey recent literature. Project activity will focus on design issues and solutions, as students design a simulation and develop its prototype. Lab fee.
OILS 505.
Instructional Television: Principles and Applications.
(3)
For educators and trainers who use instructional television for distance education. Major types of instructional TV formats are analyzed, as well as research on television and learning. Participants develop techniques for training television instructors.
OILS 510.
Designing Knowledge Management Solutions.
(3)
Participants apply general principles and techniques for designing comprehensive knowledge management solutions that combine web-based technologies and organizational interventions. To put a theory into practice, participants utilize an iterative design process in developing a course project.
OILS 511.
Collaborative Knowledge Creation.
(3)
Focused on designing technology-supported collaborations solutions that support the collective brain power of organizational members in the creation of knowledge.
OILS 512.
Dissemination and Application of Knowledge.
(3)
Focused on designing organizational portals for managing and disseminating documents, instruction, best practices, and expert advice.
OILS 513.
Foundations of Information Management Practice.
(3)
This course is an introduction to the management of digital information resources. Students will survey essential methods for evaluating, organizing, storing and securing data and information in academic and other work environments.
OILS 514.
Metadata.
(3)
A hands-on course about describing and structuring information. Students will learn XML and XSLT, and will develop a thorough understanding of current metadata standards as well as crosswalking metadata schemas and data management applications.
OILS 515.
Introduction to Spatial Data Management.
(3)
This course builds upon the foundations of information practice with an emphasis on spatial data. Students will survey essential methods for evaluating, accessing, organizing, storing and securing spatial data and information.
OILS 516.
Information Modelling.
(3)
A practical course where students will learn how to model real world systems as object-oriented models, relational databases, XML schema and ontologies. Students will learn the fundamentals of data modeling.
OILS 520.
Environmental Information Management.
(1-3)
An introductory hands-on course on environmental information management and the data life cycle for the environmental sciences. With emphasis on data acquisition technologies, metadata, QA/QC procedures, data preservation, database management and web portal development.
Corequisite: 521 and 522.
OILS 521.
Environmental Data Analysis and Visualization.
(1-3)
A hands-on course in Environmental data analysis and visualization, with an emphasis on data exploration, tool assessment, and creation of effective visual representations of analytical results.
Corequisite: 520 and 522.
OILS 522.
Spatial Data Management in Environmental Sciences.
(1-3)
Environmental data is generated and visualized by a variety of tools. This hands-on course focuses on how GeoSpatial data generated by GIS systems is effectively managed, analyzed and preserved in the Environmental Sciences.
Corequisite: 520 and 521.
OILS 530.
Theory and Practice of Distance Learning.
(3)
Analyzes theoretical approaches to distance education and their practical applications. Examines characteristics and needs of distance learners, learner support, distance teaching, course design, delivery system selection, evaluation, policy, organization and administration of distance education.
OILS 531.
Culture and Global E-Learning.
(3)
Explores the sociocultural dimensions of eLearning and issues related to designing eLearning for global contexts. Participants examine diversity in eLearning, and design eLearning for national and international contexts.
OILS 532.
E-Learning Course Design.
(3)
Explores new paradigms based on constructivist and sociocultural learning theories for designing e-learning. Focuses on online learning design and evaluation, and networked learning communities. Analyzes print, audio, and video for designing hybrid learning environments.
Prerequisite: 530 and 541 and 543.
OILS 533.
Management of Learning Systems.
(3)
Focuses on management strategies and key elements of modern systems. Discusses program planning and management, funding and budget management, technology selection and implementation, marketing, quality control and evaluation.
OILS 540.
Foundations of HRD and Instructional Technology.
(3)
Foundations of HRD (training, organization and career development) and its role in facilitating individual, group and organizational learning. Students will also be introduced to instructional technologies that facilitate learning.
OILS 541.
The Adult Learner.
(3)
(Also offered as LEAD 529)
Examines the teaching and learning transaction with adults. Specific attention is on adult life stage development, relevant learning theories and approaches, and learning style issues of cross-cultural populations.
OILS 542.
Theory and Practice of Organizational Learning.
(3)
This course focuses on the theories and applications of organizational learning strategies and process. The relationship between individual and team learning to organizational learning will be addressed throughout the course.
{Offered annually}
OILS 543.
Instructional Design.
(3)
Application of instructional design principles used in the development of instructional materials. Students work individually on course exercises and collaboratively on two course projects. One of the first three courses taken in the Master's program.
OILS 544.
Program Evaluation.
(3)
Provides the student with a basic understanding of the evaluation process, the application of evaluations in determining the effectiveness and/or value of a learning experience both in the classroom and in the workplace.
OILS 545.
Cross-Cultural Issues in Adult Learning.
(3)
Students will examine learning styles of culturally diverse populations, conduct research on cross-cultural teaching and learning, experiment with methods and techniques of cross-cultural training and design and develop cross-cultural training programs.
OILS 549.
Building Social Capital in Learning Organizations.
(3)
Social capital is at the heart of successful learning organizations. We will explore the components of social capital in learning organizations and how we can use organizational network analysis (ONA) to assess informal networks.
OILS 551.
Training Techniques.
(3)
Introduces student to training techniques that are suitable for instructing adult learners in a variety of settings. Students will design and deliver an instructional unit to other adult learners.
Prerequisite: 541 and 543.
OILS 552.
Team Development.
(3)
Provides learners with information and skill development of various methods and techniques for teaching adults in a team environment. Emphasis is placed on team development and training necessary to facilitate team learning and growth.
OILS 553.
The Role of Wisdom in Adult Learning Across Cultures.
(3)
This course explores the concept of wisdom from various traditions and academic disciplines through weekly lectures, discussions, and experiential activities. It examines the role of wisdom in development and suggests perspectives for fostering wisdom.
OILS 554.
Organizational Consulting Theory and Practice.
(3)
An introduction to the field of consulting. Covers conceptual knowledge of models to increase organizational effectiveness, consultant role responsibilities and needs assessment and evaluation techniques used in consulting practices.
OILS 555.
Mentoring Adult Career Development.
(3)
Students examine adult career patterns and organizational perspectives on employee career development. Specific emphasis is on mentoring and coaching adults in career decision making.
OILS 556.
The Business of Learning.
(3)
This course is designed to teach learning and development managers how to connect learning initiatives to organizational strategy, and how to develop the business case to show how learning contributes to the organization.
OILS 583.
Graduate Teaching I.
(1-3 to a maximum of 3 Δ)
Introduces new Teaching and Graduate Assistants to teaching at UNM, reviews various instructional methods, assessment strategies, and pedagogical theories pertinent to teaching in higher education.
OILS 591 / 391.
Problems.
(1-3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
Individual Performance Contract required between student and professor.
OILS 592 / 492.
Workshop.
(1-4)
Special offerings given on demand for terms less than a semester.
OILS 593 / 493.
Topics.
(1-3, no limit Δ)
Used to test new courses.
OILS 595.
Field Experiences.
(3-6 to a maximum of 12 Δ)
This independent study is for students to gain experiences in settings other than those in which they are employed or who are making career transitions and would benefit from shadowing a professional in the field.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
OILS 596.
Internship.
(3-6 to a maximum of 12 Δ)
This final independent study is the capstone experience for Master’s students who opt not to do a thesis. The student submits a proposal for a minimum 200-hour project to his/her internship faculty supervisor.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
OILS 598.
Directed Readings in Organization, Information, and Learning Sciences.
(3-6 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
Student will develop an Individual Performance Contract with a faculty member to determine the key readings and will produce a product.
OILS 599.
Master's Thesis.
(1-6, no limit Δ)
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
OILS 600.
Science, Technology and Society.
(3)
Defines science, technology, human values and examines the impacts and relationships among them. Discusses emerging scientific and technological developments, projects effects on society and the proposition that technology is a primary determinant of social change.
OILS 601.
Advanced Instructional Design.
(3)
A theory-driven and project-based doctoral level seminar on the foundations of learning environments, instructional design theory, and the instructional design process. Students develop design models based on constructivist and socioconstructivist theories for innovative learning environments.
OILS 608.
Advanced Seminar in Organizational and Program Evaluation.
(3)
This course is for students who wish to gain an in-depth understanding of evaluation theories and philosophies. In seminar format, students will study evaluation as a transdiscipline and its role in contemporary organizations.
OILS 635.
Research in Distance Education.
(3)
Advanced doctoral seminar on research in distance education and educational telecommunications. Students will critically examine current research and develop theoretical frameworks, appropriate methodologies, a research proposal and agenda for future distance education research.
Prerequisite: 530 and 543 and 544 and (541 or EDUC 500).
OILS 639.
Advanced Instructional Technology Seminar.
(3)
This seminar emphasized the process of applying research findings to create innovative computer-based solutions for organizational learning problems. Steps in the process include assessing organizational learning needs, designing and implementing solutions and applying formative evaluation techniques.
Prerequisite: 541 and 543 and 544.
OILS 641.
Advanced Seminar on Organization Development and Consulting.
(3)
This advanced course in OD for doctoral students and advanced master’s is designed to enable students to develop theoretical perspectives, intensive practice and understanding of the use of OD in improving organizations.
Prerequisite: at least 9 hours of Organizational Behavior, Team Development, Consulting or similar courses.
Restriction: permission of the instructor.
OILS 661.
Seminar: Transformational Learning.
(3)
A theory-driven, project-based advanced seminar designed to enable students to develop theoretical perspectives, intensive practice, and understanding of the use of Transformational Learning for applications with individuals, groups and organizations.
OILS 690.
Dissertation Proposal Seminar.
(3-6 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
This seminar is the capstone course for the doctoral program. It assists students in planning and developing a dissertation proposal. Course may be repeated once.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
Prerequisite: students must complete the Comprehensive Examination before enrolling or take it concurrently.
OILS 696.
Internship.
(3-6 to a maximum of 12 Δ)
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
OILS 698.
Directed Readings in Organization, Information, and Learning Sciences.
(3-6 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
OILS 699.
Dissertation.
(3-12, no limit Δ)
Individual performance contract required between student and professor, following formal approval of dissertation committee.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.