EDU 201
Technology in the Classroom
Spring, 2007

Text:   Technology in the Classroom. Third Edition. Boston, MA: Course Technology.

or

Shelly, Cashman, Gunter, Gunter (2005). Teachers Discovering Computers: Integrating Technology and Digital Media in the Classroom, Fourth Edition

Companion Web Site  http://www.scsite.com/tdc4/ 

Materials/Needs
Portable USB Drive
Email account

Objectives
As a result of participation in this course, using  educational technology research as a foundation, students will …

• become aware of and understand technology standards for teachers and students.

• learn strategies for integrating instructional technology in curriculum planning, grading, evaluating and monitoring.

•  select software and instructional media for use in classrooms, develop curricular activities that include computer applications and use hypermedia and multimedia programs.

• demonstrate operation and use of equipment and materials that involve the effective use of technology in teaching and presentation.

• develop leadership skills in educational technology.

Note
An attempt is being made to make this a "paper-less" course. Most course handouts will be available on the instructor's web page. Students will submit their work electronically.

Goals
The goals for this course are based on national standards set by the International Society for Technology in Education, ISTE and competencies set by the Nebraska Department of Education.  These serve as a framework for the course from which each student will set specific individual objectives.

• ISTE Standards for Teachers

• ISTE Standards for Students

• Nebraska Technology Competencies for Teachers

• CSM Standards Links

Important Information
Time
This is a performance-based course, very different from traditional college courses. In order to learn to use technology you will need to spend time using computers.  Be sure to plan computer time into your schedule. Plan to spend about 6 hours a week outside of class working on computers to complete class assignments. Allow extra time for unexpected technical problems. It is important that you begin projects early and plan time for technical difficulties and system failures.

You are expected to complete and turn in all assignments.  While there is a great deal of flexibility in the schedule, it is important that you turn in assignments as close to approximate due dates as possible.

Save Often
It is important that you always save your work. I recommend that you save your work every 10 minutes while you are working to prevent frustrating loss of time and effort. The most important thing you can learn about working with technology is SAVE OFTEN. Also important is backing up your work.  Always make a backup disk (even two) and be careful about where you put them.  Be sure to label every disk.

Classroom Behavior
Please arrive on time and practice courteous behavior in the classroom.  Please do not engage in conversations while someone else is talking or otherwise disrupt class lectures, discussions or activities.  Courtesy and good time management skills are important to success in the work world and should be practiced in the classroom as well.  You will be expected to participate in group activities and be an active team member when working with other students in the class.

REQUIREMENTS
Attendance
This course will consist of hands-on experiences and attendance is necessary for learning and meeting the objectives.  Missing class can jeopardize your grade.  Each tardy or leaving early for any reason will lower your grade by 1%.  Each absence for any reason will lower your grade by 2%.  Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the instructor.

Should weather conditions cause the cancellation of class, an announcement will be made on the radio and by the instructor with e-mail.  Telephone arrangements will be made for those who do not have access to e-mail in their homes.

Learning Activities
Pedagogical considerations and assessment techniques will be integrated with each learning activity. 

All course assignments will be submitted individually, though on most assignments, it will be beneficial to work with your learning partners. 

A demonstration by the instructors, who have experience with technology, can make procedures seem simple. Be careful to take notes during demonstrations so that you can perform the task at a later time when the instructor may not be available.

There are two main purposes for the technology portfolio web site that you will create in class. 

• First, is to demonstrate the technical and pedagogical skills that you have developed and the progress that you have made toward the course goals during the semester. It is made up of samples of the work from each of the areas explored during the course, reflections on the course activities, and a self assessment of your progress toward the course goals.

• Second, is to begin a portfolio of your work as a future educator.  You will design space for lesson plans, scholarly papers, and projects that you create as a pre-service teacher.  The portfolio will be reviewed yearly by the Education Department as part of the evaluation of your progress through the program.    When you are student teaching you will convert this portfolio to an employment tool to present to prospective employers. 

GRADING
Specific instructions and a scoring rubric will be given in class. 

Though points are designated for each activity, failure to include any single assignment will result in a reduction of one letter grade for the final course grade.

Dr. Schulz: SCHEDULE - SPRING 2007

Materials

Course Objectives

Course Goals

Course Info

Requirements

Grading