EDUC 537           

 

Technology Across the Curriculum

 

Course Web Space:

http://timlauer.wordpress.com

Instructor:             Tim Lauer

                        tim.lauer@gmail.com

                        503-705-5717

 

Class Dates: July 12, July 19, July 26, August 2

Class Times: 9:00 – 4:00 pm

 

Welcome to EDUC 436/537  

 

 

While I am sure many of you are quite familiar with computers and other types of technology, this course will challenge you to consider how these tools (and others) may be used to enhance learning, teaching, and instructional administration and management. 

 

As I see it, the best way to learn about instructional technologies is to actually “play” with them, and I will make every attempt to minimize seat time and maximize opportunities for hands-on, minds-on learning.  Since learning about technology is like shooting at a moving target, you might consider this course as the beginning of your lifelong study of technology.  Once we make the decision to apply technology as part of our own lives, we are also making a commitment to continue honing our skills as newer technologies emerge and existing ones become more refined.

 

In the last few years, as social technologies have become more and more common, the face of educational technology has changed. The rise of social software has provided educators with opportunities, and challenges, that promise to change the use and scope of educational technology in the classroom. This course will allow you to begin to explore this new landscape and develop a set of ideas and understanding for its use in your classrooms.

 

 

The goals of this course are simple. Participants will:

- better understand the historical role technology and media have played in educational and social change,

- become familiar with social learning technologies as tools for constructing learning opportunities,

- be exposed to appropriate social learning theories which respond to learning in the digital age,

- better understand the many social, educational, political and administrative issues connected to technology and media in learning, and

- become critical consumers and producers of digital media and information.

 

 

 

 

Purpose:

The purpose of this course is to introduce educators to some of the many applications of technology in the instructional setting. In addition students will become aware of the National Educational Technology Standards and how they can be used as a tool for planning instruction This course is intended to develop and expand each student’s skills and knowledge of educational technology.

 

Assessments

Personal Blog/Portfolio

Participants will each develop a personal blogfolio to document learning and provide reflection throughout course activities, interactions and readings. The blogfolio will play an important role in your personal learning for this course, and will be a central communication tool between you and other community members. Your blogfolio should show evidence of:

·      personal reflection of course learning activities;

·      frequent reading and analysis of key educational articles and/or blog posts from other educational bloggers;

·      interaction with other community members through pingbacks and commenting; and,

·      thoughtful, critical reflection of the use of technology in your personal, educational (e.g., work) context.

The blogfolio should also include personal information to identify yourself as an author and/or educator. Discussions regarding privacy (e.g., what to include) will occur in the early weeks of the course.

35%

 

Course Collaborative Project

Course participants will collaboratively create a wiki resource focused on technology tools (e.g., blogs, wikis), educational approaches (e.g., digital story telling) or issues (e.g., cyberbullying) regarding technology in education. Together, it is hoped that we develop a relevant, usable resource which will document and synthesize course learning.

30%

 

Major Digital Project

Students will develop a digital project related to technology in teaching and learning. This project is wide-open to possibilities. Some ideas: portion of an online course or unit, digital video (e.g., presentation, advertisement), educational resource website, course blog or wiki, etc. Students will be expected to submit a proposal for approval. There will be a reflective component to each project, which will be tied in to the blogfolio.

35%