Philosophy and Approach

The WATS program is designed to help students learn technology skills in an accelerated, immersive, craft-based manner. This means that we do not necessarily follow all of the same patterns and paths of a traditional technology education. We are educating students to assume roles in the industry, developing software applications. We value the following:

• Immersion in all the aspects of what it means to be a web developer.
• Practical experience and skills that can be put to use building things.
• Thoughtful reflection on those skills and experiences so that students understand the deeper ramifications and meaning of their education.
• Clear communication of both praise and instruction throughout the learning process.
• Timely and specific feedback designed to help students further develop the skills and knowledge.

Our course and program design is strongly influenced by the key principles of the Ignatian Pedagogical Paradigm:

• Context
• Experience
• Reflection
• Action
• Evaluation

These concepts are described in relation to online teaching and learning in the Framework for Course Innovation from the SU Center for Digital Learning and Instruction.