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INTRODUCTION

This course will include an introduction to the applications of technology and pedagogical skills used within the school environment. The primary goal of this course is to provide the learner with essential skills through the development and use of instructional applications, educational software, and computers. A large portion of the content within this course is derived from the book Multiple Intelligences and Instructional Technology 2nd Edition (2005).  This course also includes various supplemental online readings and videos in addition to the book.

Grading will occur from the satisfactory completion of assignments found within this course.  An EDUC 515 Assignment Checklist may be downloaded and used as a self-directed check sheet to monitor your progress as you work through this course assignment list.

Experience may be gained from solving problems associated with accessing online articles. One example of a problem might be installing the correct version of Adobe Reader so that you can open and read the online PDF documents included within this Website. This is an excellent example of Project Based Learning; which is a principal component of this course.

Some of these articles may require Adobe Reader, you may install this free program by clicking HERE. If you have an older version of Adobe Reader, please uninstall the older version prior to installing the newer version.

Most of the assignments/papers will be submitted electronically to the Instructor via e-mail. All assignments are due during the "assignment week" (prior to, or on the scheduled class meeting day for that week). However, an exception will be made for the "first week" assignment. The first week assignment should be turned in no later than the Friday of the "second week," or sooner if you feel comfortable with the requirements of this course. This delay is to allow you to ask clarification questions during our first meeting.

The length of reflections may vary. It is more important to reflect using quality over length. Each reflection should be no less than .5 page nor more than 1.5 pages in length.

Learning Team Assignments should be e-mailed separately. Please include each of the learning team members names within the attached document. 

Please use the following layout when submitting reflections via e-mail. When submitting formal papers, please adhere to the APA format.

                                                                                                                                     (page number)  

After reading these articles, please visit the “Chat Room” Website to post your comments. It is also important to view other readers’ comments. Discourse within this forum is important, differing opinions are welcome and encouraged. Your participation (not your opinions) within this chat room forum will be a component of your grade.

Research Component-      Back to Top

Before posting your responses, it is important to understand the objectives for reading the assigned articles within this course.  It is also important to look at these articles/videos from an objective and professional viewpoint.  

The first step should be to ask yourself, is the scope of the research appropriate, and are the objectives of the research clearly stated? 

Next, look at the methodology.  Can you identify a control within the study?  Determine if it is an experimental or qualitative research design.  Are the research design and methods used within the paper acceptable?

Does the research advance the field of study for which it is intended?  Does the presentation of the research meet the minimum qualities that one would expect for legitimate research?

Your response (discussion postings) to the assigned articles is the way in which the instructor will gauge your understanding of the topics contained within this course.  When responding (posting) to the assigned articles/videos, please use a researched-based reasoning methodology that includes analyzing, arguing, comparing, and evaluating.

Analyze- Look for the how and why and also look for examples such as cause and effect. Look for assumptions made within the context of the writings and question their validity.  Attempt to identify underlying meanings and explain them.

Argue- Discourse, agree or disagree with the author, or with the opinions of others. Be sure to include evidence supporting your stance. Do not be afraid to challenge the stance of the author.

Compare- Look for comparisons that include both similarities and differences.

Evaluate- Attempt to establish an opinion based clearly on supporting evidence. It is important to express this evidence within your statements, in other words be able to backup your statements with evidence.

The term “research-based” is used to show that a particular program, methodology, or procedure has empirical evidence to verify or refute its use within an educational setting. In this definition, empirical indicates that the research is verified or refuted based on the opinion of experienced/qualified practitioners. Evidence is based on data gathered through observations, pretests/post-tests, control and experimental groups, and other bona fide research methods. The empirical evidence should be able to withstand scrutiny from a legitimate peer review before it is used within an educational setting.  

This assignment will be due, and presented during the "Sixth-Week" session. If the final project requires a formal presentation (most will not), then it will be graded using a RUBRIC. The rubric may be downloaded HERE. Modifications to the Rubric may occur according to the type of project that you choose.

This Technology Integration Project will meet the thinking, Meaning-Centered, Technology Integration Curriculum Project requirement and should be included within the electronic TC portfolio.

E-mail Discussion- After reading the "World is Flat," written by Thomas Friedman, reflect on the past few years of globalization and predict the future of technology. How have these ideas influenced the educational process and what might we expect in the future (from an educational standpoint)?   

E-mail Discussion- After reading the Constructivist Learning Theory, why is it recommended for educators to consider this theory when integrating technology within the classroom?  

E-mail Discussion- What impact does a school administrator have on the success or failure for the implementation of technology within his/her school?    

E-mail Discussion- What should every teacher know about technology?   

E-mail Discussion- After viewing the video, would it be possible for you to integrate some of these ideas within your classroom? If you think that you could integrate some of these ideas, please defend your position. Also, if you disagree with this idea please defend your position.   

E-mail Discussion- Is it possible to integrate technology within your lessons? Is there a limit to technology and how it should be used in the classroom? What are some common limiting factors to the integration of technology within your classroom?     

E-mail Discussion- Are you currently using advanced technology within your content area? Please give a brief description of the type(s) of technology that you are using.    

Information on accessing the "Web Discussion" site will be provided at the first scheduled class meeting.

http://www.edutopia.org/multiple-intelligences-theory-teacher

E-mail Discussion- Is it possible to include Gardner’s 8 Multiple Intelligences (MI) within your daily lesson plans? Please defend your answers. Do you think that it is a good idea to identify a child’s strongest MI and avoid his/her weakest MI? 

Determine your learning style. Please take the online quiz What's Your Learning Style? 

   http://www.edutopia.org/multiple-intelligences-learning-styles-quiz

E-mail Discussion- After taking the “What’s Your Learning Style?” quiz, would you agree with the results? In what way might you alter your self-directed learning behaviors to improve your personal growth within the educational process?

E-mail Discussion- Do you agree or disagree with this methodology? Please justify your conclusions. 

E-mail Discussion- Please give a brief assessment (from your point of view) of Project Based Learning.

E-mail Discussion- What are differences in teaching "how to" and integration when using technology? Is there a need for more staff development? Do you agree that "Schools Are Wired, Teachers Are Not?" Do you think that it is important to have a media/integration specialist on staff? What is the role of the media/integration specialist?   

E-mail Discussion- What are some tools that may be used during technology planning? What are scientifically based strategies that might be used while planning staff development? Watch the video- Turning the Table --- Students Teach Teachers, click HERE. Read the article- Invigorating Science: Teaching with a High-Tech, Low-Cost Tool, click HERE.

E-mail Discussion- In your opinion, is a technology driven classroom environment the right direction for you? Please Explain.  What are some important factors to consider while planning, implementing, or evaluating a tech-fueled classroom?

Chapter 5

E-mail Discussion- Be able to discuss planning methods for the development of curriculum that may be used for Project Based Learning. What are key components to consider during the planning stages?

(Running time 2:00) Using technology, students monitor their own musical and athletic activities and analyze the data and feedback to improve their performance. Read a short introductory article or watch an in-depth video.  

E-mail Discussion- At what level would you categorize this school using Welliver’s Instructional Transformation Model as a guide?  Please explain.   

E-mail Discussion- What is a computer center and how do you make it work in a classroom?

E-mail Discussion- After reading the above 4 articles, provide your opinion on gaming, the use of computers, and the effect that they may have on student learning.  Differing opinions are welcome, and should promote discourse among everyone within this cohort.  

The Following Reflective Questions will be used for the Web Discussion Website

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

E-mail Discussion- How do we create an effective PowerPoint presentation? What methods, tips, and specific styles should students use when developing PowerPoint presentations? How would you grade a PowerPoint presentation?

E-mail Discussion- What are barriers and advantages for using technology?

E-mail Discussion- What can teachers do to do, using technology, to improve instruction? What are some strategies that may be used for the implementation and assessment of technology?  What is the concept of "research based" and the importance of using this information when developing classroom strategies?

Please submit an e-mail with the following reflective questions.

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

E-mail Discussion- Do you think it is important to “teach to the test”?  Which is the most important, teaching skills, or teaching to the test?  Do you think testing promotes insecurity among students?  Please explain your answers.

E-mail Discussion- What is your opinion of "alternative assessment"?  What is meant by the statement, "Our children are over tested and under examined?"

E-mail Discussion- What does this article tell us about the First Amendment rights of students? After reading this article, what is your opinion on the outcome of the lawsuit? Do you consider the First Amendment when you prepare your lesson plans? Do you think that administrators should have the power to regulate student blogs written at home. What are the legal implications "Dos & Don'ts?" 

E-mail Discussion- After reading the "Freedom of Speech" article (above), what measures can a school district employ to prevent Cyber Bullying?

E-mail Discussion- What is a Web proxy? What steps should a teacher take to prevent students from accessing a Web proxy? 

(Running time: 11:00)
Virtual schools make available a world of new courses -- from obscure electives to advanced-placement classes -- that challenge students intellectually and open up new doors.

E-mail Discussion- How have the technology needs of teachers changed during the past few years? What tech support do teachers need now compared to what they needed a few years ago? How has the job of technology coordinator changed?

E-mail Discussion- What is Differentiated Instruction and how can it be used in the classroom? How can you identify individual learning styles? Can you identify the learning style(s) that is/are best suited for you?

E-mail Discussion- What strategies should be considered when developing a website?

How to Create a Simple Grade book using Microsoft Excel

Internet4Classrooms Microsoft Power Point (Internet Resource)

ACCELERATED READER/RENAISSANCE READING

Accelerated Reader/Renaissance Reading is widely used throughout the nation; however, research supports the idea that it is not being used correctly.  This section (below) may be used for students who wish to use this concept within their class project.