| Course Description:
Participants in
this course will develop, analyze and evaluate the tools, methods, and
environments in online teaching and learning.
Emphasis is placed on the development of content specific instructional
strategies in the use of synchronous tools, particularly Adobe Connect and methods to achieve the desired learning
outcomes. Students will also incorporate the use of data analysis
application tools to assist in developing strategies to inform
instructional decisions and will examine structures for improving
communication among diverse stakeholders.
It is recommended that participants have prior experience with web-based
video/audio communication tools (i.e. Adobe Connect).
Course Goals:
This course is designed to allow students the
opportunity to interact and collaborate in the development of effective
instructional strategies to teach in higher education and K-12 virtual school settings using
the Internet as a conduit for instruction. Much of the work will be
self-directed and situation specific. The outcome will be the
development of a set of "best practices" and materials for use in
individual teaching practice but with potential for broad applications
to others teaching in these environments.
Course Objectives (AECT
Standards Addressed):
At the end of the course, each
participant will be able to:
- Understand the significance of building community in online
environments.
- Identify and develop strategies for building community online.
-
Develop content specific instructional strategies for various
asynchronous and synchronous online teaching tools (i.e. threaded
discussions, Breeze products, etc.)
- Develop effective ways to manage the virtual student caseload.
- Identify a theoretical basis for the development of effective
teaching strategies for engaging learners in online environments.
- Incorporate constructivist teaching strategies for engaging
learners in a virtual environment,
- Develop data analysis techniques designed to assist in
individualizing instruction,
- Develop additional strategies to differentiate instruction (i.e.
learning styles, adaptive/assistive technologies, pacing, supplemental
activities and remediation.),
- Create and deliver lessons suitable for asynchronous and
synchronous delivery that use appropriate and effective multimedia
design elements.
- Develop strategies for involving, communicating, and connecting
with diverse students and parents.
- Identify leading recommendations, guidelines and standards for
online environments.
Source: AECT Accreditation Standards for Programs in Educational
Communications and Instructional Technology (ECIT)
http://www.aect-members.org/standards/
Required Textbooks:
Finkelstein,
J. E. (2006). Learning in Real Time: Synchronous Teaching and
Learning Online. San Franscisco: Jossey-Bass.
ISBN: 978-0-7879-7921-8
Pallof, R. M. & Pratt, K. (2007).
Building online learning communities: Effective Strategies for the
Virtual Classroom, 2nd Edition.
San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
ISBN: 978-0-7879-8825-8
Optional Textbooks:
Collison, G., Elbaum, B., Haavind, S., &
Tinker, R. (2000). Facilitating
Online Learning: Effective Strategies for Moderators. Madison,
WI: Atwood Publishing.
ISBN:
1-891859-33-1
Moore, M. & Kearsley, G. (2005). Distance
education: A systems view. Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth.
ISBN: 0-534-50688-7
Texts may be ordered through one of the
following:
Equipment:
This is an online course requiring a computer with speakers and
an Internet connection. Minimum hardware requirements for the
EDTECH online courses may be located at:
http://edtech.boisestate.edu/EquipmentNeeded.htm
Software Requirements:
Current software requirements for the EDTECH program:
http://edtech.boisestate.edu/web/hardware.htmPlease do not pay full price for your software!!!
An academic discount is available for students and teachers with
proof of eligibility. The academic price shaves hundreds of dollars
from the original cost.
Here are two places where you can obtain the academic (lower
priced) versions of the software:
Antivirus Software: Please make sure to have up
to date antivirus software installed and running on your computer.
Popup Blocker: This is highly recommended.
Google has one built into their free toolbar if you want to try it:
http://toolbar.google.com/T4/index_pack.html
Free Software: Please make sure that the
following are installed and up to date on your computer.
Internet Connection:
Of course, an Internet connection is required to participate in this
online course. If you have a high speed connection it is preferable
to dial-up access. If you only have dial-up access you can still get
by, but patience is a virtue when waiting for files to download.
Course
Policies:
Time Management: An online
course can take a considerable
amount of time. For this
reason, I would strongly suggest
beginning each assignment early.
Work on it regularly over the week
rather than waiting until the last
day or two. This will allow
you to have the chance to work out
problems or get help if needed.
Participation: Depending on the class
activities, you are
responsible for completing weekly
assignments, participating in
discussion groups, and checking in
to the course site on a consistent
basis.
Assignments:
You will always be given explicit instructions on where to send
your assignments. Assignments are usually
due on a weekly basis – the exact dates
will always be found in the activities.
If you wish to complete an assignment prior to the due date,
you may (however, a group assignment must be completed during
the week assigned OR upon approval of every member of the group).
I DO NOT
ACCEPT LATE ASSIGNMENTS. PLEASE BE
AWARE OF THIS POLICY AND SUBMIT
YOUR WORK ON TIME. This policy will be strictly enforced in the
summer session due to the condensed schedule.
Backing up your files:
You will be offered several ways
to save your work online. However
. . . and this is important,
you should always save your work
on another storage device on your
own computer. I cannot stress this
enough . . .
Faculty
Initiated Drop
Please be advised that if you do not
“attend” class at least once during the first week, I will drop
you from class. Since this is an online course, this requirement
means that you MUST be present in our Moodle course site during
the first week and participate in the introductions.
Incompletes
Please be advised that I strictly
follow the rules for incompletes. In order for me to give you an
incomplete in this course, the following two criteria MUST be
met:
-
Your work has been satisfactory up to the last three weeks
of the semester.
-
Extenuating circumstances make it impossible for you to
complete the course before the end of the semester.
In order to
receive an incomplete, we must create a contract stipulating the
work you must do and the time in which it must be completed for
you to receive a grade in the class. The contract time may not
exceed one year. If no grade other than incomplete has been
assigned one year after the original incomplete, the grade of
'F' will automatically be assigned. The grade of 'F' may not be
changed without the approval of the University Appeals
Committee. You may not remove the incomplete from your
transcript by re-enrolling in the class during another semester.
A grade of incomplete is excluded from GPA calculations until
you receive a final grade in the course. If I assign a grade of
incomplete you will received an email notification that you have
"Registrar To Do Items" on BroncoWeb.
Student Code of Conduct
It is expected
that students in this class will create original works for each
assignment. We will follow the
BSU Student Code of Conduct. In
the event of academic dishonesty a complaint is filed with the
BSU Student Conduct Office with supporting documentation. This
complaint remains on file and actions may be taken against the
student (e.g., loss or credit, grade reduction, expulsion,
etc.).
We will also
observe
U.S.
copyright laws in this course.
Several great links to copyright information are available on
the BSU Academic Technologies site at:
http://itc.boisestate.edu/resource.htm
In addition to
the above, please respect the following guidelines:
-
Please submit original work for each project. Projects that
were created for other classes may not be submitted for
credit in EDTECH 523. Each project may only be submitted for
credit one time by the person who created it. The BSU
Student Code of Conduct states: "Academic dishonesty also
includes submitting substantial portions of the same
academic course work to more than one course for credit
without prior permission of the instructor(s)."
-
All project text should be
original text written by the student who is creating the
project. The exception to this is the use of small amounts
of quoted material that is properly cited. Copying and
pasting from other Web sites or projects (including the
instructor's examples) is not allowed.
-
Images and sound clips used in projects should be original,
or used with permission of the owner, or come from the
public domain. Please check “terms of use” on sites
containing these items.
-
Please cite the source(s) for materials that are obtained
for your projects unless they are created by you. If
permission is granted for use of copyrighted materials
please post a statement explaining that near those
materials.
I occasionally use Blackboard "Safe
Assignment" and other plagiarism detection utilities to test
random assignments. Contact me if you have any questions
regarding this issue.
Thank you for abiding by the Course Policies.
Boise State
University’s conceptual framework, "The Professional Educator,”
establishes our shared vision in preparing educators to work
effectively in P-12 schools. It provides direction for programs,
courses, teaching, candidate performance, scholarship, service,
and accountability.
The Department of Educational Technology contributes
to this vision by emphasizing the
following:
The Department of Educational Technology supports the study
and practice of facilitating and improving learning of a diverse
population by creating, using, and managing appropriate
technological processes and resources. Believing technology is a
tool that enhances and expands the educational environment, we
promote the use of current and emergent technologies for
teaching and learning in a dynamic global society. Educational
technologists are leaders and innovators, serving in
institutions of higher education, public or private school
settings, federal, state or local educational agencies,
community organizations, and the private sector.
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Grading
Grades are based on assignments,
projects, and participation in online
discussions. Point values are
specified when the assignments are
posted. You can check your
grades in Moodle to track your
progress. Grades are updated
regularly throughout the semester.
Final letter grades will be based upon the following scale:
| Highest |
Lowest |
Letter |
| 100.00 |
100.00 |
A+ |
| 99.99 |
93.00 |
A |
| 92.99 |
90.00 |
A- |
| 89.99 |
87.00 |
B+ |
| 86.99 |
83.00 |
B |
| 82.99 |
80.00 |
B- |
| 79.99 |
77.00 |
C+ |
| 76.99 |
73.00 |
C |
| 72.99 |
70.00 |
C- |
| 69.99 |
67.00 |
D+ |
| 66.66 |
60.00 |
D |
| 59.99 |
00.00 |
F |
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How to Get Help:
If you have questions or need help
please contact your instructor by
phone, email, or by posting a note
on the class discussion board. I
will do my best to respond within
24 hours on weekdays. Weekend
messages will be answered on
Mondays by the end of the day.
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Modification of
the Syllabus and Schedule
I reserve the right
to modify the syllabus and schedule at
any time. Notice of any change will be
emailed and posted as an announcement.
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