Date

University of Hawaii ITE 480 Issues in Computer Education 2

ITE 480: Issues in Computer Education – Fall 2007

Debi Tisdell – Instructor – 280-1767

Pomaika’I Elementary School

4650 So. Kamehameha Ave., Kahului, HI

Goals

By successfully participating in this course, you will:

Demonstrate basic proficiency in the use of technology productivity tools
Work with a small group team to research and facilitate a class discussion regarding using technology with students
Participate in hands-on workshops and mini-sessions that will expose you to a variety of technology tools that can be used to support teaching, learning and productivity
Propose, develop, present and assess a standards-based technology project that you implemented in your classroom

Grading Policy

Grades are not calculated on a simple percentage basis. Competence as a teacher of technology requires that one be at least basically proficient with the methods and conventions of the genre. Therefore, it is not possible to get a satisfactory grade in the course (B or A) unless your grades are all at least of B or A level for all course assignments: 1) small group research and discussion facilitation, 2) mini-workshops, 3) workshops, and 4) technology project (including monthly progress checks)

Course Requirements

All assignments must be labeled with your Name(s) and the title of the Assignment. Assignments must be turned in on time.

Late work -- If you're having problems, contact your instructor before the assignment is due so accommodations can be made. Otherwise, a penalty of one letter grade per class session late may be imposed.

Revision/Rewriting – Revisions are possible, however, due to the hands-on nature of this course and the group work timelines, you will need to meet with the instructor to discuss parameters for revisions. When submitting a revision you will need to submit the original work (including instructor feedback), along with the revised work, by the deadline set during your meeting with the instructor.

Professional Contribution--to Own and Others' Learning C/NC

You will be expected to contribute actively in class. You are expected to come to class prepared--with the required materials and/or assignments, and having read the assigned material. Your contribution should include your own verbal input, as well as leaving room and offering encouragement for others to add their own. As part of your professional contribution you will be expected to give careful feedback to peer(s) on their work – acting as a peer advisor. You will also be expected to be prepared to participate in small group presentations.

Due to the nature of this course, participants will be at different levels in their knowledge, skills, and comfort in the use of technology tools. The course has been designed with this in mind. You will be expected to demonstrate continual forward progress with your own technology knowledge and skills. You will be expected to challenge yourself to grow and positively contribute to the growth of others, regardless of your skill, comfort, or knowledge level.

Peer Feedback C/NC

At times you will be called upon as a Peer Advisor to provide careful verbal and written feedback to classmate(s) on their work--details will be provided. The name of the peer advisor must be noted on the relevant assignments.

Major Assignments

Small group research and discussion facilitation – 20%
You will collaborate as an interdependent group to research and guide a whole group discussion (1 hour) regarding an identified technology issue. The discussion will model the use of at least one of Marzano’s 9 categories of effective instructional strategies (to be distributed in class #1) as you engage the rest of the group in learning about and discussing your issue and its impact on working with middle level students. All participants will share in the process and will turn in an individual reflection on the day of their presentation outlining and reflecting on the role they played in the group’s work. Each group will identify a group leader who will work with the instructor on planning guidelines.
Mini-workshops – 20%
Mini-workshops focus on basic teacher productivity tools. You may attend sessions or demonstrate proficiency in a skill area (tangible document that you’ve created demonstrating your ability to use the given technology tool). Credit will be given for actively participating in hands-on activities and coming prepared for the mini-session (bringing in content to use).
Workshops – 20%
Workshops are mandatory for all participants and are foundational for moving into 21^st century skills that you’ll be promoting with your students. Credit will be given for actively participating and contributing to these hands-on activities and coming prepared with content to use in the activities.
Technology Project – 40%
You will follow the 10 step process for project development as you identify, implement, present, and assess a technology project of your choice (10 minute presentation). Specific parameters and guidelines for the project will be distributed in class #1. As you work on your technology project you will be doing the following:
1. Choose at least one professional technology standard for teachers that you will use as a focus for your project.
2. Utilize the 10 Step Project Development Process to identify, create, share, and assess your project (utilizing the designated criteria for a quality project). Meet all project checkpoints on their assigned dates
3. Design and implement a 10 minute presentation of your project. Provide resource and “how-to” documents for your audience.
4. Complete a self-assessment of your project.
5. You may work in groups of 4 or less.

Checkpoint #1: 9/14/07 – Steps 1-4 completed and brought to class. You will be prepared to do step 5 (project proposal review) with your peer advisor.

Checkpoint #2: 10/12/07 – Step 6 due

Checkpoint #3: 11/16/07 – Step 7 and 8 Progress Report due

Final Presentations: 12/7-8/07 – Step 9 and 10 (Present and Assess) due

Course Shedule – Fall 2007

Date	Objectives	Activities	Questions to consider	Advanced Preparation
8/24/07 4:30-8:30	Understand course objectives, design, and requirements Determine topics for research and discussion Explain the focus of course Workshops and Mini-workshops Plan individual focus of attention using the Professional Technology Standards Understand and apply basic file naming protocol Understand safe and ethical use guidelines Plan individual goals for this course	What are the course objectives and expectations? Share 10 Step Process. Now You Know!! (video and small group discussion) Brainstorming of discussion and research topics (Digital Natives and Digital Immigrants) What are Workshops and Mini-workshops and how will they be run? Professional Technology Standards for Teachers – where do I fit on this continuum? Setting personal goals Mini-workshop #1 on Computer basics, applications, and file naming Safe and Ethical use of technology - discussion Reflection and Planning	What do I currently know about Technology and Computer Education? What is my current skill level in using technology tools? What do I want to be able to do when I finish this course? How is technology impacting the lives of my students? How can I use this course to impact learning in my classroom? Does my school have an Internet use policy in place that I need to follow?	None
8/25/07 8:30-12:00	Clarify questions about course objectives and expectations Workshop #1 – Becoming a photo-journalist Determine research and discussion groups Understand advanced preparation	Workshop #1 Becoming a photo-journalist – in this workshop we’ll look at how digital photography can be used to create an engaging culminating project for units in all content areas. Tools/Resources used: Digital still camera iPhoto Word Processing Oil Pastels National Geographics Audio CDs Debrief Workshop Designate research and discussion groups Discuss Advanced Preparation	How might I use digital photography with my students? What will I need to know and be able to do in order to effectively implement a project like this in my classroom? How might the content in this workshop be modified to meet my needs and the needs of my students? How might this project be transferred to a PC/Windows environment?	Audio CDs (optional) Content area images (optional) Unit that you might apply this project to (optional)
9/14/07 4:30-8:30	Discussion regarding research from group #1 Understand how to utilize menu features of word processing software to format and produce professional documents Identify how to locate Internet resources that would be useful to teachers	Research Group #1 - facilitates work session and discussion Mini-workshop #2– Teacher Productivity Tools – Word Processing FYI – Internet Resources for Teachers Review of Project Proposal (step 5)	How will I utilize information from our group discussion in my own practice? What do I know about using Word Processing software and how can I bump up my skills with this application? Where can I find information on the Internet? How am I currently using the Internet with my students?	Group 1 prepares for facilitating discussion #1- Group leader contacts Debi for additional resources and to discuss group plan (group 1 reflections are due) Bring in ideas to use as you create a document to use in communicating student progress to parents (or your choice) If you have a favorite Internet site that you use – bring in the URL for that site Be ready to identify your final project – bring in your 10 step process checklist (complete steps 1-4)
9/15/07 8:30-12:00	Understand how the 7 elements of Digital Storytelling can be used to create an engaging video presentation	Workshop #2 Digital Storytelling – In this workshop we’ll apply the 7 elements of digital storytelling to create a simple iMovie project. Tools/Resources used: Digital still camera iPhoto iMovie Audio CDs Storyboard Debrief Workshop Discuss Advanced Preparation for next meeting	How might this project be used / modified to be used with my students? What resources will I need in order to do this type of a project? How would this transfer to a PC/Windows environment?	Digital Images you might want to use for your digital story Audio for your story
10/12/07 4:30-8:30	Discussion regarding research from group #2 Understand how to find and use graphic organizer applications Identify resources to use when creating online interactive activities for students	Research Group #2 - facilitates work session and discussion Mini-workshop #3– Teacher Productivity Tools – Graphic Organizers FYI – Hot lists, knowledge hunts, subject samplers and Webquests	How will I utilize information from our group discussion in my own practice? How might I use graphic organizers in my practice? What resources will I need if I choose to use interactive Internet activities with my students?	Group 2 prepares for facilitating discussion #2. Group leader contacts Debi for additional resources and to discuss group plan (group 2 reflections are due) Bring in a unit plan that you will be using with your students. Continue working on your final project – bring in your 10 step checklist (step 6 completed)
10/13/07 8:30-12:00	Practice creating effective presentations using a variety of multimedia applications	Workshop #3 Creating multimedia slideshows – in this workshop we’ll explore a variety of tools that can be used to create multimedia slideshows Tools/Resources used: Images Keynote Powerpoint NeoOffice Debrief Workshop Discuss Advanced Preparation for next meeting	How can I use multimedia slideshows to engage my students? What resources do I have at my school that could be used for multimedia slideshows? What experiences have I had with multimedia slideshows? How can I transfer this information to a PC/Windows environment?	Bring in content for use in a multimedia slideshow Continue working on your final project – bring in your project progress checklist
11/16/07 4:30-8:30	Discussion regarding research from group #3 Understand how to utilize spreadsheet applications to gather and organize data Develop a checklist for effective presentations to large groups	Research Group #3 - facilitates work session and discussion Mini-workshop #4 – Teacher Productivity Tools – Spreadsheets FYI – Presenting to a large group	How will I utilize information from our group discussion in my own practice? How might I use spreadsheets in my practice? How do I prepare for presenting to large groups of students/peers?	Group 3 prepares for facilitating discussion #3. Group leader contacts Debi for additional resources and to discuss group plan (group 3 reflections are due) Continue working on your final project – bring in your 10 step checklist (progress report on step 8)
11/17/07 8:30-12:00	Utilize technology resources to create an educational podcast.	Workshop #4 Podcasting in the classroom – In this workshop we’ll explore how to create and use a podcast in the classroom Tools/Resources used: Digital images Garage Band iTunes Microphones iPods iWeb Debrief Workshop Discuss Advanced Preparation for next meeting	What am I doing in my classroom that might work well in a podcast? What resources do I have access to that could be used to create a podcast? How do you create a podcast in a PC/Windows environment?	Content to use in creating your podcast
12/07/07	Discussion regarding research from group #4 Group sharing and assessment of final projects	Research Group #4 - facilitates work session and discussion Final project sharing	How will I utilize information from our group discussion in my own practice? Are there projects/ideas that were shared that I’d like to implement with my classes?	Group 4 prepares for facilitating discussion #4. Group leader contacts Debi for additional resources and to discuss group plan (group 4 reflections are due) All prepare to share and assess final projects (steps 9 and 10)
12/08/07	Complete final sharing and assessment Reflect on personal/professional growth in the understanding and use of technology tools	Final project sharing Debrief and final reflection	How well did I meet my goals for this course? What are my next steps?	All prepare to share and assess final projects (steps 9 and 10)