Computers and Technology Course Syllabus

I. Course Number & Title:

  • EDUC 504, Computers and Technology

II. Prerequisites:

  • General familiarity with the operation of a computer

III. Semester, Year, Room, Time, Class Meeting Dates:

  • Fall 2005 
  • Holy Family University - Newtown Campus
    Tuesday, 7:30 - 10:30, Room 132
    January 18th  through May 3rd 
  • No Formal Class Meetings – February 15th (Class Trip) and March 8th (Spring Break)

IV. Instructor Information:

V. Required Textbook, etc.

  • Text: None: Material Provided On-Line
  • Two 3.5 High Density Data Disks
  • One USB 128 MB or larger Flash Memory Stick (Sony and Lexor can cause problems)

VI. Supplementary / Recommended Readings:

  • Class notes for each class prior to the class

VII. Course Description:

This course will be taught in a constructivist environment using a variety of hands-on, technology-based projects – knowledge which is essential for all educators.  The project activities will revolve around two major themes: (1) those dealing with technology skills all professional educators should posses, and (2) those which could be completed by students in the classroom.  The educational uses of the Internet, word processing, data base, spreadsheet, drawing, desktop publishing, website development, and presentation software will be integral aspects of this course.

VIII. General Goals, School of Education Goals, & PDE Specific Program Guidelines:

The general goals for this course are:

  • To become comfortable with change in the educational environment
  • To encourage the use of technology in schools for academic and administrative purposes
  • To apply the principles of educational theory to the use of technology in the classroom
  • To provide opportunities for hands-on, technology-based experiences
  • To help educators understand the effect that technology and technology-based communications are having on the society in which students are being raised

The following School of Education Competencies, as listed in the Student Handbook, are supported by this course:

  • Goal #1, Initiative as an active learner, and Descriptors .1 - .8
  • Goal #2, The ability to listen, speak, read, write, view, calculate & compute at the college level and Descriptors .1 - .5
  • Goal #4, Knowledge of content and content-related pedagogy, and Descriptors .1 & .3
  • Goal #5, Knowledge of constructivist pedagogy, and Descriptors .1, .4, .5, .7, .8, .10, .11, .13
  • Goal #6, Knowledge of technology, and Descriptors .1 - .5
  • Goal #7, Planning and preparation for constructivist instruction, and Descriptors .2, .4, .5, .6
  • Goal #8, The ability to implement constructivist instruction, and Descriptors .1, .5, .7, .9, .11
  • Goal #9, The ability to meet professional responsibilities, and Descriptors .6, .7, .8

The following Pennsylvania Department of Education Specific Program Guidelines are supported by this course:

  • Early Childhood Guidelines: IIB, IIC, IIID
  • Elementary Guidelines: IC, IIB, IIC, IID, IIID
  • Reading Guidelines: IIA, IIC
  • Special Education Guidelines: IIC, IID, IIIC
  • Biology Guidelines: IIA, IIB, IIC, IID, IIID
  • Chemistry Guidelines: IIA, IIB, IIC, IIID
  • Citizenship Guidelines: IA, IIA, IIE, IIIB
  • English Guidelines: ID, IE, IF, IIA, IIC, IIID
  • Foreign Language Guidelines: IIB, IIC, IIID
  • Mathematics Guidelines: IN, IIA, IIC, IIID
  • Social Sciences Guidelines: IIA, IIC, IIID
  • Elementary School Counselor Guidelines: IE, II, IIID
  • Secondary School Counselor Guidelines: IE, II, IIID
  • Supervisor Guidelines: ID, IF, IIB, IIID
  • Elementary & Secondary Principal Guidelines: IB, IE, II, IIIC

IX. Pennsylvania Department of Education 354.33 Professional Competencies / Exit Criteria

The following are specific professional competencies which students will acquire by the completing of this course.  Students will be able to:

  • Create learning experiences that make subject matter meaningful for all students - 354.33 1 i A
  • Provide learning opportunities that support (students') intellectual, social, & personal development - 354.33 1 i B
    & 1 ii B
  • Create learning opportunities that foster achievement of diverse learners in the inclusive classroom - 354.33 1 i C
  • Use interdisciplinary learning experiences to encourage students' development of critical thinking, problem solving, & performance skills - 354.33 1 i D & 1 ii D
  • Understand the use of individual and group motivation to create a learning environment that encourages positive social interaction, active engagement, & self-motivation 354.33 1 i E & 1 ii E
  • Use knowledge of effective verbal, nonverbal, and media communication techniques supported by appropriate technology to foster active inquiry, collaboration & supportive interaction in the classroom - 354.33 1 i F & 1 ii F
  • Contribute to school effectiveness by collaborating with other professionals - 354.33 1 i J
  • Foster learning experiences for all students - 354.33 1 ii A
  • Understand effective instructional strategies and encourage employment of them by teachers - 354.33 1 iii C
  • Use an understanding of individual & group motivation to create a professional development environment that engages teachers to develop & apply effective instructional techniques - 354.33 1 iii D
  • Communicate effectively with various school communities - 354.33 1 iii E & 1 iv D
  • Think systematically, learn from experience, seek advise of others, draw upon educational research, & seek out opportunities to grow professionally - 354.33 1 iv G
  • Demonstrate a mastery of integrating technology into the curriculum - 354.33 - 4

 

 

Expectations:

Your professionalism as exhibited by your attendance, punctuality, participation, progress, and attitude.  Since attendance, punctuality, and promptness are critical importance in a professional teacher, a no-cut policy will be observed in this course.  If you are going to be absent from class, you must contact the instructor by telephone or email prior to the scheduled class meeting.  More than two absences and/or lateness may result in a lower final grade.

Course Requirements / Assignment:

Course Requirements / Assignment:

Each Assignment Requires (without will result in a loss of a grade):Project Na

Develop a reflective statement inserted after the cover page and before the assignment.  It should convey your experience in developing the assignment, what you have learned about integrating technology into education, how you would use or not use the assignment, and any other pertinent discovery made during the activity.  In addition, it should explain in detail how you would modify projects for accessibility by a diverse population.  The reflective statement needs to be a minimum of 250 words and as always grammar and spelling count.

Policies – Grading/Assignments, Attendance, Make-up Work, etc.:

Complete projects in a satisfactory and timely manner– LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL LOSE ONE GRADE FOR EVERY CLASS THEY ARE LATE

  • Grades will be based on the following:
  • Attendance: Since much of the learning will come from hands-on classroom projects and discussions, students are expected to attend all classes.  Any absences OR Lateness to Class will affect the classroom participation portion of the grade.
  • Make-up Work: All work must be completed in order to receive credit for this course, regardless of lateness.  Unexcused late course work will be reduced by one full letter grade for each class meeting that it is late.  Late assignments may be submitted to the secretaries in the Education Office.  Arrangements for excused lateness must be made in advance and approved by the instructor.
  • Students with Disabilities:  Those who require accommodations for this course must contact a staff member at the Counseling Center & Disabilities Services Office.  Reasonable accommodations requested under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 will be provided for in accordance with Holy Family College policy and procedures.
  • Academic Honesty: Holy Family College encourages learners to grow intellectually as well as become responsible citizens of our community.  Academic dishonesty subverts this mission and undermines the student's personal and intellectual growth.  Therefore, violations of the academic honesty policy outlined in the Holy Family Catalog will result in a failing grade in this course and possible dismissal from the College.

 

Course Content / Schedule:

1)                  Introductions, Dr. Herman's Website - Review Course Outline & Requirements; www.GeoCities.Com

 

¨      Start E-mail Partners 1 & 2 Project

¨      Review Website Evaluation Project

¨      Review  Website Development Project Requirements – Decide on a theme for your Website

¨      Buy Flash Disk

¨      Work on Website

 


2)                  Word for Desktop Publishing, Using MS Help, Creating a Multiple Web Page, Create Links Between Web Pages

 

¨      Begin Desktop Publishing Project - Word Newsletter Project,

¨      Email Registration

¨      www.Geocities.com Registration

 

3)                  Website questions, adding sounds to Web Pages, Desktop Publishing Project

¨      Complete Desktop Publishing Project

¨      Website Development

¨      Website Evaluation

 

4)                  Due: Desktop Publishing.  Review Class Trip Project.  Digital Photography Basics.  PowerPoint Basics.

¨      Website Development

¨      Website Evaluation

 

5)                  No Formal Class – Take a Class Trip

¨      Website Development

¨      Website Evaluation

¨      Class Trip Presentation

 

6)                  PowerPoint Bells & Whistles.  Work on Class Trip PowerPoint Presentation

¨      Website Development

¨      Website Evaluation

¨      Class Trip Presentation – Due Next Class

 

7)                  Due: Present Class Trip Presentation - 10 to 15 Minutes in Length.  Mid-Point Check of Website.  Scavenger Hunt.  Using Internet as Resource.  Searching on the Internet Using Advanced Search (i.e., Google, Overture, DogPile)

¨      Website Development

¨      Website Evaluation

¨      Decades Multimedia Project

 

8)                  No Formal Class – Spring Break

                       

9)                  Decades Multimedia Project.  Add Graphics and Sounds to Web Pages, Learn How to Copy HTML Code from another Web Page – Review Group PowerPoint Presentation Assignment

¨      Website Development

¨      Website Evaluation

¨      Decades Multimedia Project – Due Next Class

                       

10)              Due: Decade Multimedia Presentation - 10 to 15 Minutes in Length.  What is a WebQuest Lesson?

¨      Website Development

¨      Website Evaluatio

 

11)              WebQuest Lessons

¨      Website Development

¨      Website Evaluation – Due Next Class

 

12)              Due: Website Evaluations.  Developing a WebQuest Lesson!  TALE OF TWO CITIES.  Introduction to Creative Writing Project 

¨      Website Development

¨      Creative Writing Project

 

13)              Creative Writing Project.  Concept Mapping/Mind Mapping – MAPPING YOUR MIND 

¨      Website Development

¨      Creative Writing Project – Due Next Class

 

14)              Due: Creative Writing Project Presentation – As long as needed to tell story

¨      Website Development

 

15)              Complete Website Project

¨      Website Development – Presentations and Project Due Next Class

 

16)              Due: Website Project – Presentations 5 to 7 Minutes – Final Class – Wrap-up

 

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