Educational Technology (078401) – Master of Science

Established in 1986, this program emphasizes cutting-edge research in digital education, educational IT, and new media. Housed at the National Engineering Research Center for Digital Learning and the Educational Information Technology Collaborative Innovation Center, it boasts top-tier labs, computer workstations, and software. The curriculum is interwoven with education, computer applications, and information management.

Digital Education

Focuses on the theoretical foundations of educational technology: integrating IT into subject teaching, curriculum development, theories of informatization, learning cognition, instructional systems design, and educational ICT management and decision-making.

Educational Information Technology

Covers the design, development, application, management, and evaluation of educational software, tools, and resources. Key areas include learning analytics, educational data mining, intelligent tutoring systems, and educational web design.

New Media & Education

Explores teaching strategies supported by modern media technologies. Studies include edutainment, animation, human–computer interaction, social media in education, and virtual scenarios and lab environments.

Computer Science & Technology (081200) – Master of Engineering

Computer Application Technology

Investigates theories, techniques, and applications spanning networks, control systems, cybersecurity, multimedia, distributed systems, databases, natural language processing, graphics, digital media, virtual reality, educational ICT, and embedded systems.

Artificial Intelligence

Combines AI theory and applications across information acquisition, processing, and control. As a national leader, it has produced influential research published in leading journals. Notable applications include data mining, NLP, software quality, security, image/video processing, network optimization, IR, expert systems, ML, automated theorem proving, program synthesis, robotics, game theory, decision-support systems, and neural networks.

Educational Information Technology (0871J3) – Master of Engineering

Launched in 2011, this joint master’s/doctoral program at Central China Normal University is interdisciplinary, drawing from computer science, engineering, education, management, and the arts. Grounded in learner-centered pedagogy, it examines how IT shapes digital learning environments, tools, methods, and content—driving innovation and education modernization.

Its six specialized tracks:

Strategic Planning & Standards

Develops national ICT education strategies, plans, and support systems; creates interoperability and resource-sharing standards.

Digital Learning Technologies

Designs hybrid physical-virtual learning contexts (classroom, home, outdoor), deeply integrating technology to boost efficiency, support diverse learning paths, and enable ubiquitous learning.

Intelligent Learning & Knowledge Services

Researches intelligent educational technologies (e.g., automated reasoning, dynamic geometry, virtual simulations) to build discipline-focused systems that aid teachers and foster autonomous, inquiry-driven learning.

Multimedia Processing & Communication

Studies theoretical and practical aspects of multimedia transmission—IPTV, P2P streaming, audio/video encoding, digital media, content detection, and security.

Digital Learning Resources

Focuses on integrating IT with learning resource creation—animation, games, VR, interactive simulations, cross-platform resource migration, and reusable components.

ICT Management & Engineering

Applies management science and systems engineering to manage ICT projects, monitor and evaluate educational ICT, conduct network surveillance, and develop early-warning systems, bolstering ICT implementation in education.

Software Engineering (085212) – Professional Master of Engineering

Software Support for Intelligent Systems

Investigates core technologies for intelligent systems and learning environments, including automated reasoning, dynamic geometry, question generation, virtual simulation, interactive design, and integrated domain-specific learning systems—geared toward enhancing teacher preparation and educational excellence.

Cloud & Big Data Technologies

Trains students (with software or CS backgrounds) in scalable data processing, ensuring secure, reliable cloud systems, data center modernization, virtualization technologies, and extracting insights from educational big data to support smart teaching.