Computers & Technology Course Syllabus

I. Course Number & Title:

• EDUC 504, Computers & Technology

II. Prerequisites:

• General familiarity with the operation of a computer, Microsoft Office 2003 or 2007, and Internet Explorer

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

IV. Instructor Information:

• Dr. Barry MacGibeny
• 215-637-8720
• dbmacgibeny@hotmail.com

V. Required Textbook(s), etc.

• Text: None: Material Provided In Class and On-Line
• 1 GB (or larger) Version 2.0 USB Flash Memory Drive - Load 10 or more pictures on it for Class # 3 - Shutterfly

VI. Supplementary/Recommended Readings:

• Class notes for each class

VII. Course Description:

This course will feature inquiry-based, constructivist activities which stress cooperative learning and the creation of authentic products. The activities will revolve around two major themes: (1) those dealing with the technology skills all educators should possess, and (2) those activities which could be completed by students in the classroom. The educational uses of the internet, word processing, data base, spreadsheet, drawing, desktop publishing, digital photography, web site development, and presentation software will be integral parts of this course.

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

The general goals for this course are:

• 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 the students will acquire by the completion 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

X.  Course Goals & Assessment Strategies

As a result of successfully completing this course students will demonstrate the ability to:

• Use higher level internet searching techniques as assessed by the number of correct responses to the Scavenger Hunt Project
• Function as a productive group member as assessed by observations of classroom activities during group projects
• Take, format, and appropriately use digital pictures as assessed by the rubric for the Digital Story Telling Project
• Develop a professional appearing web site with slide show as assessed by the rubric for the Website Development Project
• Build an appropriate Web Quest as assessed by the rubric for the Web Quest Project
• Create an intricate PowerPoint presentation as assessed by the rubric for the Decades MultiMedia Project

XI. Course Requirements / Field Experiences:

• Attend classes regularly - any absence will negatively impact your class participation grade
• Participate actively in classroom discussions and in cooperative group activities
• Complete projects in a satisfactory and timely manner
• Participate in a Digital Photography Story Telling Project, take and format digital pictures, and present the highlights of your project using PowerPoint
• Participate in an Internet Scavenger Hunt
• Develop and present a Decades Multimedia PowerPoint Project
• Develop and present an Original Web Quest
• Develop and present an individual Web Site - NOTE: Ongoing technical support for your web site will be available via email after the completion of this course for as long as you want it

XII. Policies - Grading, Attendance, Make-up Work, etc.:

• Grades will be based on the following:
  • Web Site Development Individual Project 25%
  • Digital Photography Story Telling Group Project 20%
  • Decades/Multimedia PowerPoint Group Project 20%
  • Web Quest Group Project 25%
  • Class Participation/Attendance 10%

• Attendance: Since much of the learning will come from hands-on, classroom projects and discussions, students are expected to attend all classes. Absences or leaving class early will effect the classroom participation portion of the student's 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 Dr. MacGibeny.
  
• Students with Disabilities:  Any student who has a need for an accommodation based on the impact of a physical, psychiatric/psychological, and/or learning disability must contact the Disability Services Office at Campus Center Room 222, 215-637-7700 (ex3231), as soon as possible since eligibility determination requires submission of documentation by the student and a review by the Disability Eligibility Committee prior to any accommodation authorization.  Accommodations for any student cannot be provided by the instructor without a letter of authorization from the Disability Services Office.
  
• Academic Honesty: Holy Family University 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. The University's policy on academic honesty is available in the current Undergraduate and Graduate Catalogs.  These documents are available for review in the School of Education Office or online at www.holyfamily.edu.  Violations of the University's standards in any form, including but limited to plagiarism, as described therein or otherwise identified will not be tolerated.  Proven incidents of academic dishonesty are subject to progressive sanctions.  Responsibility for knowing and understanding the University's position and policies on academic integrity rests with each student.