Instructional Technology for Teachers

Syllabus

EDUC 2590

3 Credit Hours

Central Community College

Instructor/Facilitator: Mel J. Janousek

Email: mjanousek@cccneb.edu

Phone: 402.646-9059

Course Description

This course will introduce pre-service teachers to a variety of technologies and strategies for their use in the instructional process to accommodate diverse students.  Pre-service teachers will comprehend and model ethical and democratic principles of instructional technology integration in their classrooms.  Pre-service teachers will learn to incorporate technology into age-appropriate lessons and presentations.

Course Logistics

This course is being offered through an online means.  The class is project-based.  It is, however, not a self-paced class.  There will be specific due dates for all of the items connected to this class.  However, there may be circumstances either by the processes of the class or by your own situations where the due dates need to be changed or altered.  We will work through these as a class and on an individual basis.

Goal

To provide pre-service teachers with a transfer course dealing with educational technology.

Course Materials  

A working computer or technological device to use for project development during the semester.

Course Objectives

1.  Develop a number of different educational projects using technology.

2.  Utilize Web 2.0 open source programming software for students and educators.

3.  Evaluate a variety of technological programming for possible integration into curriculum designs.

4.  Recognize current trends and practices in technology usage and how it connects to education.

5.  Develop an understanding on how technology can be integrated into the curriculum and used to enhance the learning capabilities of students.

General Course Outcomes

At the conclusion of this course, the pre-service teacher will be able to:

1. Create multi-media projects and display them on an interactive website.

2. Design and evaluate a variety of instructional technology software, such as: Web 2.0 open source programming, hypermedia-based and web-based lessons, and electronic presentations in an educational setting.

3.  Investigate and comprehend democratic and ethical applications of instructional technology with diverse populations and settings.

4.  Comprehend and model appropriate access to and evaluation of text and visual information.

5.  Use appropriate methods and strategies for applying technology to plan and implement curriculum designs.

Grading and Evaluation

Evaluation will be made and grades will be assigned based on the quality of completed activities, assignments, and projects.  Final grades are based on percentage earned on the grading scale given below.  Failure to complete course work denotes failure to receive credits.

Grading Scale

Assessment and Evaluation

This is a course that emphasizes “hands-on” learning techniques.  You will be actively involved in developing and creating a number of different technological projects each week of the class.  Your active involvement in designing these projects will enable you to better understand how as a teacher you will integrate technology into the learning processes of students. (80%)

Besides the projects you will create each week, you will also be providing personal notations and comments connected to the project work that will demonstrate an educational vision on how you are going to incorporate these technological concepts into the classroom setting. (20%)

Successful completion of the designated tasks each week will result in a grade of A (this will be a 95 on the grading scale).  Points will be lost each week for items not completed or not done correctly by the specified guidelines.  Projects that exemplify outstanding or extended, exceptional work can result in an evaluated grade ranging from 96-100.  The guidelines below will be considered for outstanding or extended, exceptional work:

The project work and related assignments developed each week are well-organized and complete; go above and beyond basic guidelines of each assignment; are effectively and clearly presented; demonstrate clear understandings of the given tasks; applies what has been learned to the author’s own classroom situation or subject area; clearly shows connections to the learning process.

The analysis of technology integration done each week demonstrates critical thought; is unique; goes above and beyond basic requirements; shows substantial application to one’s own future teaching area or professional position; demonstrates both breadth and depth of knowledge of technology integration into the classroom setting; is professional in presentation; and demonstrates considerable effort.  

The grade that is awarded (from 96 to 100) with outstanding or extended, exceptional work will be determined by the completed assignments and at the discretion of the course instructor.

Note:  No extra credit points or assignments (above the outstanding or extended, exceptional work points awarded) will be given in this class.

Late Assignments

Because you are given an extensive amount of time each week to complete the designated items, late assignments ARE NOT accepted in the class.  Also, the assignments each week are done and submitted electronically, so you have the ability to work on the items at anytime during the day/night.  Assignments are posted on Sundays each week, and they need to be completed by Friday at 4:00 p.m. each week. Assignments submitted after the Friday 4:00 p.m. deadline each week will not be evaluated, and you will receive a grade of zero on each of those assignments.  

There are circumstances beyond the control of the individual student/teacher where assignments may be submitted later than the designated time each week. Those circumstances will be dealt with on an individual basis.

Feedback Policy

I will answer all emails and voice mails within 24 hours, even on the weekends.  All assignments will be graded in the order in which I receive them.  You can expect 24-48 hour return on all assignments.  The policy assumes no computer/connectivity issues.

Guidelines and Information

CCC-Special Services

Any student with a disability has a right to request accommodations.  It is the student’s responsibility to contact the Student Services Office; a student services representative will recommend appropriate accommodations to the course instructor and his/her supervisor.  The instructor and supervisor will identify with the student which accommodations will be arranged.

CCC-Computer User Guidelines

In order to support the activities for this course, Central Community College provides access to computers for students.  The College established “Computer Use Guidelines”.  The Computer Use Guidelines are posted on the College web page at http://www.cccneb.edu.  From the home page you access student services and the helpdesk page.

CCC-Equity

The instructor and students will act with integrity and strive to engage in equitable verbal and nonverbal behavior with respect to differences arising from age, sex, race, color, national origin, handicapping conditions, and religion.

CCC-General Information

All College policies and procedures identified in the student handbook will be adhered to for this course.  College policies and procedures include, but are not limited to, conditions for dropping or withdrawing from a class, student academic honesty, etc.  A copy of the student handbook is available upon request from the Student Services Office on each campus.