TROY STATE UNIVERSITY ATLANTIC REGION
COURSE SYLLABUS
EDU 6605 – COMPUTER-BASED INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES

Term 1-02

August 5-October 13, 2002

 

 

Cynthia W. Sparks, Ed. D.                                    Term I  2002.  08/23,24: 09/13,146; 10/04,05

Instructor                                                                  Term/Dates

 

 

MEETING DATE AND TIME:        Friday, 4:30-9:30 p.m., Saturday 8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m., Norfolk Naval Station, Bldg. 143, Computer Lab.  Students must check in and out at the quarterdeck for each class session.

 

CONSULTATION HOURS: Dr. Sparks will be available in the assigned classroom before and after each class session.  She may be reached at 421-7346 (H) or 547-0153 ext. 199 (W).

E-mail address:  csparks@whro.net

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This is an advanced survey course in those classroom adaptable technologies that are associated with the personal computer.  Emphasis is placed on familiarity with keyboarding, disk operating systems, and tool software.  Proficiency with word processing, database and spreadsheet in an integrated program is developed.  Students present a lesson augmented with an electronic slide show produced during the course.  

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of this course students will:

·        Acquire a technology vocabulary and knowledge of computer concepts.

·        Acquire an understanding of the impact of computers on classroom instruction.

·        Acquire an understanding of the basic information needed to use computers professionally.     

·        Develop competence in using computers in the area of education.

·        Develop a theoretical rationale for the use of computers in education.  

·        Demonstrate an understanding of the primary application of computers in education.

·        Gain exposure to real life experiences in designing and using computers in the classroom.

·        Gain exposure to uses of and be able to evaluate software for educational application.

 

Students will fulfill the requirements for the Virginia Technology Standards for Instructional Personnel:

            Standard 1     Operate a computer system and utilize software

            Standard 2     Apply knowledge of terms associated with educational computing and technology

Standard 3     Apply productivity tools for professional use—word processing, databases, presentations tools, and spreadsheets.

Standard 8     Demonstrate knowledge of ethical and legal issues relating to the use of technology.

 

TEACHING METHODS: This course will be taught in a computer lab with hands on activities. The class will require participation from students in learning basic skills in the four application programs using Microsoft Office—word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and presentation tools.  This class is a beginning class that assumes that students need to learn the basics of operating a computer and the applications that are the foundation tools of technology use in the classroom. 

 

ENTRANCE COMPETENCIES:  Students have a varying degree of prior knowledge and experience as professional educators and trainers and as students with exposure to previous courses in their degree plan.

 

GRADING POLICY:            There will be a final exam that counts 25 % and demonstrates student’s skills learned with basic computer applications.  A research paper (case study) on a topic of the student’s choice which counts 20%. Two reports on articles dealing with instructional technology in education for 10%. Four projects that demonstrate your ability to use the applications are valued at 20%.   Finally, a lesson plan and classroom presentation that is worth 25% is required.

 

Guidelines for Article Review:

1.         Select two articles relating to computer-based instructional technologies.  The topics can relate to any subject of interest to you concerning technology in education.

2.         A copy of the original article or a reference to the website address should be submitted with each review.

3.         Each review of an article will be one page word processed, single spaced with bibliographical information included at the end of the review.

4.         The one page will include a concise summary of the article (author's purpose, main points, etc.) and critique (your evaluation, comparisons, etc.).  The critique should relate to your job experience, general experience, and knowledge gained from other related readings.

5.         Articles for review should be dated 1999 or later.

 

 

Guidelines for Assignments dealing with each basic application

  1. There are four applications that will be studied and each one requires the demonstration of competence by the completion of a project using that application
  2. The application projects are
    1. Word processing—a newsletter (single page)
    2. Presentations—a slide show (10 slides)
    3. Spreadsheets—a demonstration spreadsheet dealing with a budget (single page with at least twenty cells and one formula used)
    4. Databases—a demonstration database of something you which to inventory or track (At least four fields and 10 items tracked)
  3. Each project must be turned in by the final weekend (Friday). These projects are very important, as they are the practice activities that enable you to really learn the application under study.

 

Guidelines for Research Paper/Case Study

1.         Identify an educational environment or topic related to instructional technology appropriate for a review.  The topic for study can relate to any concept that you wish to study related to technology in your particular job.

2.         The length of the paper will depend on the depth of your study but will be double spaced with an introduction, purpose, summary, and bibliography.

3.         Research must be written according to the APA Publication Manual.

4.         Each study will include a final section summarizing knowledge gained.

 

Guidelines for Lesson Plan and Presentation

1.         Identify a topic for instruction which incorporates instructional technology in the lesson format.

2.         Plan and design the lesson including: lesson summary, objectives (SOL) or competencies, expected student outcomes, vocabulary, materials needed, prerequisite skills, procedure, and evaluation.

3.         Present the lesson to the class and provide a written copy of the lesson plan upon completion of the oral presentation.  We will do a round robin format.  You will load your project on your computer and we will go around the room and view the lesson activities and offer constructive comments.  The presentation consists of a brief oral summary of your lesson.

 

ASSIGNMENT OF GRADES:

Final letter grades are then calculated on the following basis:

A

90-100%

B

80-89%

C

70-79%

D

60-69%

F

<60%

Quality verbal participation with focus on the topic of discussion and written work is vital to your grade.  

ATTENDANCE POLICY:  Attendance is mandatory. No automatic cuts are authorized. Excessive absences will be reported to appropriate VA and military officials. Arrangements for excused absences must be made PRIOR to the absence.

INCOMPLETE GRADE POLICY:  A grade if "I" is not automatically assigned, but rather must be requested by the student by submitting to the instructor the Petition for and Work to Remove an Incomplete Grade form. An "I" can never be used in lieu of an "F" nor can an "I" be assigned because of excessive absences, with the exception that the student will make up the work by repeating all or part of the class in some subsequent term.

MAKE-UP WORK POLICY:  All classes missed must be made up, regardless of whether the absences were excused or unexcused. Make-up assignments will be given by the instructor on an individual basis.

REQUIRED TEXT:   None.  Web site address will be supplied where all handouts and notes will be posted.

STANDARDS OF CONDUCT:  By their enrollment, students are responsible for following the TSU “Standards of Conduct” as they apply in the Troy State University Atlantic Region. Students may be disciplined up to and including suspension and expulsion for the commission of offenses in described on pages 34-35 of the Graduate Bulletin. As a reminder to TSU-AR graduate students, the “Standards of Conduct” regards dishonesty as an offense, which includes cheating and plagiarism. Students should carefully study the definitions of cheating and plagiarism:

1. Cheating includes:

a) Copying, or relying upon, another student’s answers or submitting another student’s work as one’s own, while completing any class assignment, study group assignment, or during in-class or take-home examinations.

b) Providing one’s own answers to another student while completing any class assignment, study group assignment (except where approved by the instructor due to the nature of the assignment itself), or during in-class or take-home examinations.

b) Using notes, books, or any other unauthorized aids during an examination; or holding an unauthorized discussion of answers during in-class examinations.

2. Plagiarism is submitting a paper, other required student course requirement in which the language, ideas, or thoughts are identical to published or unpublished material from another source, including material found on the Internet, without correctly giving credit to that source. A good rule of thumb for correctly crediting a source is found in the citation below:

"Quotation marks should be used to indicate the exact words of another. Summarizing a passage or rearranging the order of a sentence and changing some of the words is paraphrasing. Each time a source is paraphrased a credit for the source needs to be included in the text. … The key element of this principle is that an author does not present the work of another as if it were his or her own work. This can extend to ideas as well as written words." (Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 1994, pp.293-4.)

 

While computers and the Internet allow students to cut and paste work from other material, new software is making it easier for universities detect plagiarism. Instructors may screen electronic versions of student assignments using the detection software.  To avoid the pitfalls of plagiarism, students are strongly encouraged to review information on it available through Troy State University Writing Center resources (http://www.troyst.edu/writingcenter/) at the Purdue University Online Writing Lab.

 

LIBRARY SUPPORT:  Go to http://www.tsuar.edu/; select Library Services and then TSU Atlantic Region Hampton Roads Area Library Guide

THE TROY STATE UNIVERSITY ATLANTIC REGION LIBRARY

IS LOCATED AT THE LANGLEY AFB, BATEMEN MEMORIAL LIBRARY: 

42 Ash Ave., Langley AFB

TELEPHONE:    Circulation: (757) 764-2906; (757) 764-2907; (757) 764-2908 DSN: (88) 574-2906 (88) 574-2907; (88) 574-2908

TSU LIBRARIAN:     Susan Cornett: (757) 766-1468 (Leave Message); FAX: (757) 764-3315

E-MAIL:      LangleyLibraryRef@excite.com

HOURS:        Monday - Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Friday - Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Holidays Closed

 

CLASS SCHEDULE:        

Date

Topic

Assignment

Class 1

Windows/ E-mail

Basic operating system skills

Establish an e-mail account and E-mail the instructor giving her the address and a self-assessment of your computer skills

Class 2

Word Processing/Desktop Publishing

Create a newsletter that is related to you current job or discuss the components of your dream job. Publicize what you do or wish to do in the future

Class3

Presentations

Create a slide show.  It must be at least 10 slides in length.  IF you cannot think of a topic do it on yourself. The show should showcase the skills you have learned in PowerPoint. Include a title slide, a graphic, a digitized picture, transitions and effects, and a sound in your presentation.

Class 4

Databases

Create a database to display some set of information you use in your current job.

Class 5

Spreadsheets

Create a spreadsheet concerning some budget requests for your job or your personal budget.

Class 6

Final Project presentations

Final Exam (afternoon)*

 

*Schedule of Presenters to be determined.

 

RECOMMENDED READING:      Current articles from periodicals dealing with instructional technology. 

 

 

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT:           Any student whose disabilities fall within ADA must inform the instructor at the beginning of the term of any special needs or equipment necessary to accomplish the requirements for this course.

 

ADDITIONAL SERVICES:            Students who have or may be dealing with a disability or learning difficulty should speak with the instructor or contact the Office of Student Services at 451-8202.