Learning Communities

Technology Across the Curriculum

Catalog Description

Introduces educators to some of the applications for technology in education, and familiarizes them with issues issues associated with technology use. Consisting of a series of readings, presentations, lab work, small group work, and independent exploration, this course is intended to develop and expand student's skills and knowledge of educational technology.

Course Outcomes

As a result of participating in this course, prospective teachers will be able to:

• demonstrate the ability to operate Mac and Windows computer systems in order to successfully utilize software.

• evaluate and use computers and related technologies to support the instructional process.

• display an increased understanding of the variety of instructional programs available for classroom use, as well as appropriate methods for their utilization.

• apply current instructional principles, research, and appropriate assessment practices to the use of computers and related technologies.

• explore, evaluate, and use computer/technology-based materials , including applications, teacher utilities, educational software and associated documentation.

• demonstrate knowledge of uses of computers for problem-solving, data collection, information management, communications, presentations, and decision making.

• increase their ability to formally evaluate instructional software.

• critically evaluate and utilize online sources or information.

• demonstrate increased skill in the use of hypermedia applications, electronic searches, multimedia, telecommunications, and other recent innovations in educational technology to support instruction.

• identify resources for staying current in applications of computing and related technologies in education.

• demonstrate knowledge of equity, ethical, legal, and human issues of computing and technology use as they relate to society and model appropriate behaviors.

Topical Outline

1. Introduction to Educational Technologies

The changing face of technology use to inform and support instruction.

What research has to say about technology and teaching.

2. What's happening in the schools with Technology

Local School districts.
Issues of equity, ethics, and legality.

3. Computer Hardware and its Use in the Classroom

Macintosh and Windows Platforms: from installation to keyboard to mouse.
Peripheral devices and their utility.

4. Using Basic Software to Support Teaching and learning

Word processing and Graphics.

5. Connecting With the outside World

Using Email for yourself and your students.
Using the Internet including the WWW, Gopher...
Critical evaluation of resources

6. Using Databases

ERIC, Psych Lit, etc.

7. Hypermedia Applications and their Use in the Classroom

The basics of hypermedia.
HyperCard, HyperStudio, DigitalChisel.

8. Advanced Classroom Applications

Graphing spreadsheet and database programs

9. Designing Computer Presentations

Fundamentals of computer presentations
PowerPoint, Mpower, etc.

10. Designing Your own Web Page

The basics of page design.
Using FrontPage, HomePage, and other Applications.

11. Using and Evaluating Educational Software

The variety of programs available for classroom use.
Criteria for evaluation.
Using software to support student-directed learning.

12. Designing Computer Learning Environments in your Classroom

Different models of classroom computer use.
Optimizing what you have and what you can do.