As careers in the field of education are increasingly including developing new technology and launching companies, the University’s Master’s Program in Educational Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship aims to help students transition into education-centered technological and entrepreneurial jobs.
Two years ago, Morgan Distinguished Professor in Educational Innovations Keith Sawyer founded MEITE within the School of Education.
Lisa Dawley is currently the program director while Sawyer is one of several professors that teach MEITE curriculum.
“The idea of the program is to address an emerging need and emerging audience that we saw in the education space,” Dawley said. “We work with people who would identify as educational innovators.”
Dawley said it is very unusual for schools of education to offer degrees that target both education and entrepreneurship. MEITE students focus on the power of technology in schools and how to create and sell new educational technology.
The program is not meant for students who are interested in becoming teachers, administrators or counselors. It is geared toward people who want to design learning environments of the future, work with leaders and be “edupreneurs,” or educational entrepreneurs.
Derek Creason is a MEITE student who has previously studied architectural technology and philosophy and has worked for a Fortune 500 company in sales.
“I wanted to pivot and make a career change. I started growing interested in the field of education, however I didn’t want to do a typical M.A.T. to get licensed to teach in a classroom," Creason said. "I really didn’t have an interest in going to the classroom necessarily. I was more interested in technology and how new technologies affect education.”
Creason is interested in working as an educational consultant or an entrepreneur, specifically designing exciting learning spaces, as well as working with augmented technology to find its uses in the classroom.
