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Spring 2009 Wyatt 130 Wednesday, 11:10 – 12:15 CST [GMT-5]
 * EDUC 2040 - Introduction to Classroom Technologies**

Instructor: Jake Wilson Email: jacob[dot]v[dot]wilson[at]gmail[dot]com Office Hours: By appointment

The Tennessee Teacher Licensure Standards for Professional Education includes a technology standard requiring that “Candidates use technology and technology based resources to facilitate developmentally appropriate student learning… use technology to enhance their professional growth and productivity…[and] effectively use and manage all technology available to them and explore uses of emerging resources.” In order to reach these goals, teachers need to treat technology with the same vigor afforded to other areas of pre-service training. Technology and its various uses need to be explored as more than mere amenities, but as the tools they are.
 * I. Rationale:**

//**Aims**// The primary aim of this course is for pre-service teachers to gain an increased level of comfort with more modern forms of technology. Computers can be used effectively and ineffectively, just like any other object in the classroom, and it is only through experimentation and research that the difference can be explored. Rather than simply familiarizing pre-service teachers with various software packages, a large part of the course will be spent discovering ways in which the technology can be used as a teaching tool.
 * II. Course Aims and Objectives:**

//**Specific Learning Objectives:**// By the end of this course, students will:
 * Understand the differences between the Macintosh and PC (Windows-based) platforms
 * Become familiar with the concept of Open Source software, its uses, and where it can be found
 * Understand the web, and its varied classroom applications
 * Understand effective methods of utilizing the Microsoft Office Suite in education
 * Understand the place of digital images and video in the modern classroom
 * Develop an Electronic Portfolio
 * Be more comfortable with the application of technology in the modern classroom

Class time will largely be spent in discussion and experimentation. Almost half of each class will be time spent with the technology itself in order to reach a higher level of comfort and understanding with it.
 * III. Method of Instruction**

The world of technology moves at a frightening pace, but the mysteries of today are often the commonplace of tomorrow. There was a time when books were new and different tools of instruction, and the same can be said of chalkboards, erasable pens, and the overhead projector. A time will come when computers and all that goes along with them will be equally taken for granted, and even later on something more impressive will appear and take their place. As teachers, we must learn to accept these changes and try to integrate them into our classrooms where possible as effective means of instruction. The goal is not simply to integrate for the sake of integration – it is to be the best teachers possible.
 * IV. Our Assumptions**


 * V. Course Requirements:**
 * 1) Attendance is mandatory, as is participation. In order to make the most of our short time together, you have to both be there on time and be willing to share your experiences and opinions.
 * 2) You will create and maintain a “blog” page at the class wiki. One topic will be given each class, and a response is expected by midnight the Friday prior to the following class unless otherwise noted.
 * 3) By the time you leave this class, you will have an Electronic Portfolio. This portfolio serves to demonstrate your abilities as a teacher, as well as to demonstrate your mastery of the skills covered in class. Each piece, however, should also be something that you will be able to use in your own classroom.

Attendance/Participation 20% Reflection Journal 20% Portfolio 60%
 * VI. Grading Procedures**
 * Internet Research projects
 * Word Processing project
 * Publishing project
 * Presenter project
 * Spreadsheet project
 * Audio project
 * Gaming project
 * Video project *
 * Final presentation


 * A || 93-100 ||
 * A- || 90-92 ||
 * B+ || 87-89 ||
 * B || 83-86 ||
 * B- || 80-82 ||
 * C+ || 77-79 ||
 * C || 73-76 ||
 * C- || 70-72 ||

All students are required to read and understand the provisions of the Honor System found in Vanderbilt University’s Student Handbook: Policies and Regulations in Co-Curricular Matters. Vanderbilt’s Honor Code governs all work in this course.
 * VII. Honor Code**

In compliance with the Vanderbilt University policy and equal access laws, If you have a disability or special learning need, let the professor know so that appropriate accommodations can be made through the Opportunity Development Center.
 * VIII. Accommodations for students with disabilities**

Wednesday, January 7 - Introduction the Class and the Internet Wednesday, January 14 - Internet Research for Students Wednesday, January 21 - Internet Research for Educators Wednesday, January 28 - Word Processors Wednesday, February 4 - Spreadsheets Wednesday, February 11 - Presentation Software Wednesday, February 18 - Desktop Publishing Software Wednesday, February 25 - Games and Gaming Wednesday, March 4 - Spring Break (no class) Wednesday, March 11 - Audio Software Wednesday, March 18- Audio Software(continued) - class does not meet Wednesday, March 25 - Video * Wednesday, April 1 - Editing Video Wednesday, April 8 - Video (continued) Wednesday, April 15 - Final Presentations
 * IX. Tentative Course Schedule:**


 * X. Reflection Journal Assignments and Due Dates**
 * //#// ||  ||   || //Reflection Question// ||   ||   || //Due Date/Time// ||
 * 1 ||  ||   || What is the detailed process you go through to determine if a site is credible? Link your journal to the class wiki. You will continue to update your journal as the course progresses. ||   ||   || Friday, January 16, Midnight ||
 * 2 ||  ||   || When looking at sites for your students, your classroom preparation, and entertainment what criteria do you use? What are the similarities and differences? ||   ||   || Friday, January 23, Midnight ||
 * 3 ||  ||   || Reflect on what you had previously known and used in Word and how that shifted as you challenged yourself throughout this project. ||   ||   || Friday, January 30, Midnight ||
 * 4 ||  ||   || Reflect on what you had previously known and used in Spreadsheet Software and how that shifted as you challenged yourself throughout this project. ||   ||   || Friday, February 6, Midnight ||
 * 5 ||  ||   || Reflect on what you had previously known and used in Presentation Software and how that shifted as you challenged yourself throughout this project. ||   ||   || Friday, February 13, Midnight ||
 * 6 ||  ||   || Reflect on what you had previously known and used in Desktop Publishing Software and how that shifted as you challenged yourself throughout this project. ||   ||   || Friday, February 20, Midnight ||
 * 7 ||  ||   || Are you a gamer? How does this project change your perspective of gaming? ||   ||   || Friday, February 27, Midnight ||
 * 8 ||  ||   || Reflect on what kind of learner you are in terms of __[|Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences]__ . How does that effect you as a teacher? ||   ||   || Friday, March 13, Midnight ||
 * 9 ||  ||   || Reflect on what you had previously known and used in Audio Software and how that shifted as you challenged yourself throughout this project. ||   ||   || Friday, March 20, Midnight ||
 * 10 ||  ||   || Reflect on what you like about some of your favorite movies and what you dislike in educational movie. What is the disconnect between the two? How can you enhance your project, given your preferences? ||   ||   || Friday, March 27, Midnight ||
 * 11 ||  ||   || Reflect on how creating an educational-related video helps you understand your strengths and weaknesses as “the expert.” ||   ||   || Friday, April 3, Midnight ||
 * 12 ||  ||   || Reflect on what you had previously known and used in Video Software and how that shifted as you challenged yourself throughout this project. ||   ||   || Friday, April 10, Midnight ||
 * 13 ||  ||   || <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Reflect upon the course, what you learned, what you took away from it, and your place in it. ||   ||   || Friday, April 17, Midnight ||


 * XI. Projects and Due Dates**
 * 1) Website Creation - Friday, January 9, Midnight
 * 2) Internet Research Lesson Plan - Friday, January 16, Midnight
 * 3) Educator Resources (5) - Friday, January 23, Midnight
 * 4) Word Processing Portfolio Piece - Friday, January 30, Midnight
 * 5) Spreadsheet Portfolio Piece - Friday, February 6, Midnight
 * 6) Presentation Software Portfolio Piece - Friday, February 13, Midnight
 * 7) Desktop Publishing Portfolio Piece - Friday, February 20, Midnight
 * 8) Gaming Portfolio Piece- Friday, February 27, Midnight
 * 9) Audio Portfolio Piece - Friday, March 20, Midnight
 * 10) Video Portfolio Piece - Friday, April 10, Midnight *
 * 11) Final Presentation - Wednesday, April 15, In Class


 * You, and your group, are expected to supply your own camera(s). In order to be fully compatible with the equipment in the lab, the camera you use must have a FireWire (a.k.a. MiniDV or IEEE 1394) port to allow for digital video capture. Most cameras with tapes (either MiniDV or Digital8) come with this ability, whereas almost all Mini DVD camcorders lack it entirely. [|Cameras are available for checkout at the PTSC Helpdesk in the Wyatt Center addition].

For more information, feel free to visit our sister site - Ms. Barger's EDUC 2040 wiki.

//All of the information on this syllabus and within this wiki is subject to change.//