Syllabus
Computers in the Classroom
CECS 4100.004
(Last Revised 31-Aug-09. Subject to revision as necessary.)
Instructor: Julie McLeod
Office: Discovery Park
Office Hours: by appointment
Phone: 940-565-2057 or 972-998-0288
Email: jkmcleod@unt.edu
Course Website: http://courseweb.unt.edu/jmcleod OR www.juliemcleod.org/cecs4100
Course Overview/Objectives
See Course Overview page. This survey course will introduce preservice educators to techniques for integrating technology into daily classroom activities. Topics covered in this course will be areas that impact or have the potential to impact educators working in the classroom environment. Special emphasis will be placed on constructing relevant and appropriate instructional environments.
The objectives for this course include the opportunity for students to analyze computer uses in education including simple applications programming in LOGO (MicroWorlds). In addition students should gain knowledge in the selection of educational software, feel comfortable modeling an educational presentation system, understand the integration of technology into the classroom and the use of other electronic sources for educational classroom resources. Students will develop a unit plan of instruction and assemble a portfolio of materials on a chosen topic that integrates technology.
Course Topics
How are Computers used in the Classroom?
Technology Integration in the Classroom
Technology Integration
Computer Ethics and Equity
Technology and Diverse Needs of Learners
Educational Software: How should we evaluate it?
Telecommunications and the Internet in the Classroom
Searching for Educational Resources
Copyright Laws and Educational Technology
Technology Applications (TA) Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)
National Standards for Teacher Competencies
National Standards for Student Competencies
MicroWorlds Project Builder
Course Prerequisites
CECS 1100 (may be taken concurrently with consent of department). If you have not taken this course, it is your responsibility to make sure you learn the prerequisite skills to be successful in CECS 4100.
Course Policies
Attendance and punctuality are professional behaviors expected of educators. Educational technology is not “doing computer projects”–it is much more. Hence, you need to be here for class discussions and learning activities. Attendance will be taken most class sessions and will count for a significant part of your grade. You will not be allowed to make up missed attendances. You are expected to conform to all policies of the University of North Texas and work within the honor code.
Classroom Etiquette
Having a classroom with technology in front of us is not the yet the norm in teaching environments. Many of you went through elementary and secondary school with little or no experience in this environment and therefore expectations for proper behavior in computer-enhanced classroom evironments vary widely. Probably the most important rule of thumb to remember is that your classroom is not a computer lab. The laboratory is 309, across the hall. As a result, in our classroom activities such as printing when someone else in the room is talking, taking leave and returning at your leisure, and focusing on individually important behaviors such as homework for another class — are rude behaviors and will be pointed out as such.
In order to make our classroom environment more conducive to learning for everyone the following behaviors are expected:
1. Students are expected to observe classroom etiquette and common courtesy toward the instructor and fellow classmates. Pagers, cell phones, electronic devices, game playing, checking/sending email and surfing the Internet are not allowed during class except during classroom activities that may involve these activities under instructor guidance. Your instructor and your fellow classmates will frequently be distracted by these activities. More importantly, it is our experience that students who are checking their email, making flight arrangements on the Internet, playing solitaire, finishing their assignment that was due at the beginning of the class, etc. — miss the most important information that is said during class (and ask the same question that was just answered — only a few minutes later).
2. Please turn off your monitors when class begins until you are instructed to turn them on.
3. Please pay attention during the question/answer sessions at the beginning of class. Repeatedly asking the same question that was just answered to the whole class, for another student, will be counted as a tardy.
4. Assignments are due by the beginning of the class and should be submitted to electronically or to room 316 before coming to class. Binding all parts together is your responsibility; one point will be deducted for assignments submitted in loose parts.
5. If your assignment is not ready to be turned in when due, please complete it after class and turn it in as a late assignment after class. I should not hear the printer running in our classroom after class begins, except when we are working on in-class activities. It is impolite and distracting behavior to get up during the middle of class to walk to the printer, especially when someone (the instructor or another classmate) is speaking.
Requirements/Grading
You are responsible for the chapter assignments even if they are not covered in lecture.
Workload for CECS 4100: Like all college courses, expect to spend 2-3 hours outside of class for each hour spent in class. In other words, you should expect to spend 6-9 hours each week outside of class completing readings, assignments, and hands-on computer time in addition to the 3 hours you are in class.
There will be 3 exams plus 4 assignments and a final project (portfolio). Several in-class and/or take home practice exercises/activities will also be included. I will keep your highest 2 exam grades (10 pts total). No makeups or late exams will be allowed, so schedule your attendance accordingly.
Hold on to your in-class practice exercises/activities as proof of the quality of your class participation in the event your letter grade is borderline at the end of the course. Plan to bring a packet of these with you to the day of your final project presentation, since it is usually that day when class participants look at their scores to date and decide whether or not to take the final exam. Class participation is expected and will count for 20% of your grade.
Homework assignments are due on the dates posted on the schedule and should be submitted electronically or to 316 prior to the beginning of class (allow at least 15 minutes for processing in case there is a line). Be sure to submit a printed copy of the assignment description as a cover sheet, followed by a printed copy of the rubric for grading the assignment (if available) — for each assignment. Assignments should be stapled in the upper left hand corner or held together with a strong binding clip if they are too thick to be stapled. It is your job to provide binder clips and staples/staplers — not the duty of the CECS Program. Failure to provide proper binding will result in a 1 point deduction. Failure to provide other required items such as your name on the first page, or description of the assignment as a cover, will result in point deductions at the rate of .5 point per omission.
Class requirements will be weighted as follows:
Participation 20%
A1: Software evaluation 10%
A2: Productivity software 10%
A3: Logo 15%
A4: Internet/WebQuests/Web 2.0 15%
Final Portfolio 20%
Tests (best 2 of 3 averaged) 10%
Important: Late assignments will receive a maximum grade of 80%. Late assignments are those that are turned in after the beginning of class on the day in which they are due. However, turning in a late assignment is much better than not turning in one at all. No late assignments will be accepted more than 3 weeks late and none will be accepted after the end of dead week (last week of classes prior to final exams). Assignments beyond these late submission deadlines will receive a grade of zero (0).
GRADES
Grades will be calculated by the following scale:
A = 90% or more
B = 80 to 89.4%
C = 70 to 79.4%
D = 60 to 69.4%
F = Below 60%
Required Materials
Textbook: Integrating Educational Technology into Teaching (4th Ed.), by M. D. Roblyer, Prentice Hall.
3 CD-RW blanks or a USB pen drive - bring one with you every week.
EEO/ADA Statement
EEO/ADA: The University of North Texas does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability or disabled veteran status in its educational programs, activities, admissions, or employment policies. Please see me outside of class to make any arrangements involving special accommodations.
Cheating: Plagiarism and cheating are serious offenses which may be punished by any of the following:
1. failure on the exam, project or paper
2. failure in the course, or
3. expulsion from the University of North Texas
For more information on EEO/ADA or academic dishonesty, please refer to your current Undergraduate Catalog.
Course materials adapted from Drs. Christensen, Knezek and Warren with permission