Syllabus

Course Description
This course is designed to help online educators apply the current trends, research, and best practices for supporting instruction with appropriate application of recent and innovative educational technologies.

 For both experienced professionals and newcomers interested in incorporating the latest technology into existing curricular units to help students achieve their educational standards and objectives. This course will help educators develop effective teaching methods and instructional strategies that capitalize on students’ interest in technology and use that familiarity to improve students’ academic performance.

Educators will have an opportunity to evaluate and analyze current, relevant research, and projects demonstrating conceptual understanding of evaluating, and infusing technology-enriched activities into existing curricular units.

Goal
By the end of the course, students will be able to develop effective teaching methods and instructional strategies that capitalize on students’ interest in technology and use that familiarity to improve students’ academic performance. They will be able to use educational technology to meet learning goals in 21st century skills such as critical thinking; collaborative problem solving; life and career skills; information, media, and technology skills; as well as higher levels of achievement in core academic subjects.

Content
This course is organized around nine modules. In the content modules there will be required readings and activities. Most activities will require your participation in the class discussion and sharing your reflection about what you read and learn. Other activities will involve developing action plans or audio and video clips. Activities will include options appropriate to your level of experience.

Modules:

Module 1: Course Introduction
Module 2: Foundation of the Participatory Web
Module 3: The Social Context of Learning
Module 4: Online Communication
Module 5: Online Collaboration
Module 6: Sharing Media
Module 7: Exploratory Learning through Simulation and Games
Module 8: Online Safety and Security
Module 9: Instructional Technology Assessment and Evaluation

Each module is structured around an Introduction, Readings, Activities and Activity Checklist.

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Participation

Participants will:

• Exchange posts with their colleagues and participate in discussions using discussion board conferencing;
• Review and discuss online and text based reading materials;
• Collaborate with colleagues using online participatory tools;
• Develop and share media that can be used in the classroom environment.

You will be able to customize activities to your specific teaching or training responsibilities and needs.

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Class Discussion
Many of the course instructional concepts are developed through discussion using our discussion board, and it is important that you check into the discussion board regularly.

The discussion board's most vital use is to exchange ideas with other class participants. You will be asked to complete a minimum of three meaningful postings per week during the course; this will include reacting to readings, discussing the topic/issue of the week, sharing information and resources with classmates, or responding to a problem posted by peers or your facilitator.

Discussion board postings will be evaluated with this discussion rubric.

You may also participate in real-time one-to-one chats with your facilitator, discussion chats and team chats with learning partners when developing your project.

Self-Reflection
Reflective writing is required throughout the course. At the conclusion of selected modules, you will write a concise reflection that responds to the concepts and themes discussed that week. Reflective prompts are provided each week. These prompts include questions such as:

• What was the most valuable information that you learned in this module?
• How will you implement this in your school? district?
• In what area(s) do you feel you need more information or practice?

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Evaluation
Each student’s participation and performance in class will be evaluated on the basis of rubrics created to assess:

• Responses to discussion questions
• Analysis of case studies
• Collaboration and performance as a team member
• Portfolio of documents and media created during the course
• Final reflective essay

Your final grade will be based on:
40% - Satisfactory completion of module activities
20% - Portfolio Projects
20% - Online Discussion (postings to discussion board)
20% - Self-reflection

Your projects will be evaluated using standards listed on the module rubrics or checklists.
A -- Exceeds the standard
B -- Proficient demonstration of the standard
I -- Incomplete demonstration of the standard (Work must be resubmitted.)

Evaluation of your discussion board participation is cumulative and subjective based on notes that the facilitator records each week. Always feel free to e-mail your instructor for help in upgrading your participation in the discussion.

Excellent indicates you participated above the minimum level in both quantity and clarity of communication in your discussion board postings.
Average indicates you met the minimum requirement.
Below average indicates you consistently contributed below the minimum two messages per week or contributions were merely perfunctory ("I agree with so and so.") or unclear.

Reflections will be evaluated for clarity and your understanding of the readings and activities.

Any time that you want to ask about your progress, send an email directly to your instructor.

Resources Needed

Bell, A. (2008) Web 2.0 in Schools: Blogging, Podcasting, Vodcasting, Wikis, Moodles, and More! Columbus, OH: Linworth Publishing.
Readings and lectures will be available online within the text of each module.

Preparing for an Online Class
Complete a short checklist to make sure you're ready for the class to begin.