EDTEC 440 Introduction to Computers for Educators (3): Use of microcomputers, video and other media in education; models use technologies including video, audio, print, computer, and telephone. Prerequisite: EDPSY 014 or equivalent learning theories course. In addition, students must be able to use e-mail and a Web browser.
Overview
This course introduces the microcomputer and its educational applications. This is an introductory level course and instruction will be based on the premise that participants are novices. You will learn to operate microcomputers as well as develop skills needed for the appropriate application of microcomputers in education. This involves becoming familiar with the range of educational computing issues.
Within educational settings, technology is not simply an independent curriculum -- i.e., teaching about how to use technology. Rather, it is a powerful means for addressing, and potentially redefining, everyday teaching and learning issues. The potential of technology is most effectively realized when considered in combination with views about how individuals think and learn best. The goal of this course, then, is not for you to become an expert in "technology," but to become more of an expert in teaching and learning. Technology can be used as a vehicle to help you to further develop this expertise.
This course is semester-based, which means that there is an established start and end date, and that you will interact with other students throughout the course. The course consists of textbooks, various software, and a course Web site that contains the lessons and communications tools.
Objectives
Upon completion of this course you will
- Successfully operate available computer hardware and associated peripherals including (but not limited to) keyboards, mice, printers;
- Demonstrate competency in using information technologies, including electronic mail, the Internet, and the World Wide Web;
- Demonstrate competency in creating multimedia presentations and instruction.
- Demonstrate competency in using word processing programs, basic graphics packages, and desktop publishing applications.
- Demonstrate skills in creating spreadsheets and/or databases.
- Integrate thoughtful applications of technology to address everyday teaching/learning problems.
- Identify problems for which use of varied technologies offer productive alternatives for teachers, students, and parents/communities.
Materials
Most World Campus courses require that students purchase materials (e.g., textbooks, specific software, etc.). To learn about how to order materials, please see the Course Materials page. You should check LionPATH approximately 3–4 weeks before the course begins for a list of required materials.Additional materials:
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In addition to mailed materials, you will need to have access to a number of different software applications. These applications should include:
- word processor
- spreadsheet
- database
- Web browser
- multimedia or presentation
The focus of this course is NOT to teach you how to use these applications, but rather how to integrate the use of them into your teaching. If you don't already know how to use all of these applications, you will need to learn them on your own or with the help of your local peers or technical support staff. One of the skills that this course will give you practice with is accessing various levels of help...something you'll want to be proficient at if you integrate technology into your teaching--everyone needs help now and then!
Below is a sequenced checklist that you should use when looking for help with a software application. The intention here is to make you aware of the number of ways that help can be obtained so that you can make good use of these.
- Locate and review any help available directly on-line as offered as a part of the software.
- Refer to any printed manuals that were purchased with your software.
- Refer to the readings that were assigned to you as a part of the course.
- Locate and review any Web-based help sites provided by the software company.
- Locate and review any Web-based tutorials that focus on your software application (links to such resources can be found within the specific lessons of our course).
- Ask a colleague, either at your own school or through our course/program. (There is a "Technical Issues" discussion forum in our course where you can post questions to see if someone else in the course can help you!)
- Contact the technology coordinator for your school district or other technical support personnel at your workplace.
Please Note Technical support for the software applications you choose to use for this course is NOT available from the instructor or through World Campus Technical Support.
Software Options for EDTEC 440 Notes:
- To enable efficient file sharing, we strongly suggest using Microsoft Office for your lesson submissions. If you wish to seek an exception, please contact your instructor immediately to discuss possible alternatives.
- You can order software from http://www.JourneyEd.com/Bookstore
(select the Penn State World Campus link) code BN898 or call 1-800-874-9001. To receive the educational discount, you will need to print out the World Campus e-mail or your registration from elion and fax this for verification of your enrollment. The fax number is 972-245-3585.
Below you'll find a list of the options available to you for this course. We recommend that you select software already available to you on-the-job. Consult with the technology coordinator of your school district or other technical support personnel in order to determine which software packages you might already have access to. (Note that some of these vendors even have trial versions available for downloading.)
Integrated Software Programs
(these are packages that include several different programs--if you have a package like one of these, you'll have just about everything you need for the course!)- AppleWorks (formerly ClarisWorks)
Includes word processing, spreadsheet, database and presentation software - Microsoft Office
Includes word processing (Word), spreadsheet (Excel), e-mail and presentation software (Powerpoint)
Telecommunications
(e-mail and Web browsing software)- Eudora (e-mail)
- Netscape Communicator (Web browser and e-mail)
- Internet Explorer (Web browser and e-mail)
Spreadsheets
Databases
Multimedia
- Powerpoint (presentation software)
- HyperStudio (multimedia authoring software)
- Macromedia Dreamweaver (multimedia authoring software)
- Microsoft FrontPage (multimedia authoring software)
- Netscape Composer (multimedia authoring software)
You should also plan on purchasing/borrowing supporting texts, or locating Web-based resources, which match specific software that you will be using to complete the lessons within this course.
You will find many other valuable texts in bookstores or on-line. The International Standard Book Numbers (ISBN) for the titles below have been provided to facilitate purchase of the texts you need from a local or on-line bookseller.
Some Macintosh books Texts about specific operating environments
- Aker, The Macintosh Bible (ISBN 0201874830)
- Levitus, Mac OS 8 for Dummies (ISBN 0764502719)--previous editions were done for earlier versions of the Mac operating system, too
Texts about integrated software applications
- Poole, Essential ClarisWorks 4.0, (ISBN 0-07-365890-1)
- Poole, Essential MacIntosh ClarisWorks 5.0: Tutorials for teachers
- Brownell, A mac for the teacher: ClarisWorks version, 2E, (ISBN 0314200576)
Some PC books Texts about specific operating environments
- Ross and Maestas, Understanding and using Microsoft Windows 3.2 (ISBN 0-314-02589-8)
- Ross and Maestas, Understanding and using Microsoft Windows 95 (ISBN 0-314-07240-3)
Texts about integrated software applications
- Poole, Essential MS Office for the PC: Tutorials for teachers
- Ross, Introduction to Microsoft Office and Office Manager
- Ketcham, Understanding and using Microsoft Office for Windows 95 (ISBN 0-314-07236-5)
- Ketcham, Understanding and using Microsoft Office for Windows 95 (ISBN 0-314-07236-5)
For either platform... If you have access to the following software applications, we strongly recommend the text Tools for Schools: Applications Software for the Classroom (2nd ed.) by Michael Land and Sandra Turner [ISBN #0-534-21492-4 (pbk.)]:
- ClarisWorks 4.0 or higher
- HyperStudio
- Eudora
- Netscape
This book can be used for both Macintosh and PC computers and provides excellent tutorials on use of the above software.
When looking for Web-based resources, we suggest you begin by going to the appropriate vendor's Web site--many have on-line resources and support for their products! (Click on the product names in the "Some Software Options..." box, above, to go to the vendor Web sites.)
Library Resources
Many of the University Libraries resources can be utilized from a distance. Through the Libraries website, you can
- access magazine, journal, and newspaper articles online using library databases;
- borrow materials and have them delivered to your doorstep—or even your desktop;
- get research help via email, chat, or phone using the Ask a Librarian service; and
- much more.
You must have an active Penn State Access Account to take full advantage of the Libraries' resources and service. The Off-Campus Users page has additional information about these free services.
Technical Requirements
| Operating System | Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8*; Mac OS X 10.5 or higher *Windows 8 support excludes the tablet only RT version |
|---|---|
| Processor | 2 GHz or higher |
| Memory | 1 GB of RAM |
| Hard Drive Space | 20 GB free disk space |
| Browser | We recommend the latest ANGEL-supported version of Firefox or
Internet Explorer. To determine if your browser fits this criterion,
and for advice on downloading a supported version,
please refer to the following ITS knowledge base article: Supported Browsers and Recommended Computers.
Note: Cookies, Java, and JavaScript must be enabled. Pop-up blockers should be configured to permit new windows from Penn State websites. Due to nonstandard handling of CSS, JavaScript and caching, older versions of Internet Explorer (such as IE 6 or earlier) do not work with our courses. |
| Plug-ins | Adobe Reader [Download from Adobe]
Flash Player (v7.0 or later) [Download from Adobe] |
| Additional Software | Microsoft Office (2007 or later) |
| Internet Connection | Broadband (cable or DSL) connection required |
| Printer | Access to graphics-capable printer |
| DVD-ROM | Required |
| Sound Card, Microphone, and Speakers | Required |
| Monitor | Capable of at least 1024 x 768 resolution |
If you need technical assistance at any point during the course, please contact the Service Desk.
For registration, advising, disability services, help with materials, exams, general problem solving, visit World Campus Student Services!
Course Requirements
Below you will find information about the following course activities and requirements:
Activity / Requirement |
Point Value |
| EDTEC 440: "Introduction/Course Tools Assignments" | 0 |
| Self-check Activities | 0 |
UNIT: "Technology Integration Concepts" |
50 |
| UNIT: "Productivity Tools" - Document Publishing – discussion forum (10 pts) - Spreadsheet Tasks(s): Discussion Forum (10 pts) - Productivity Tools Project (30 pts) |
50 |
| UNIT: "Communications Tools" - Webquest Project and Discussion |
50 |
| UNIT: "Interactive Multimedia" - Multimedia Project and Discussion |
50 |
| UNIT: “Emerging Technologies" - Final Project |
50 |
TOTAL FOR COURSE |
250 |
Grading Scale
A: 225-250
B. 200-224
C. 175-199
D: 150-174
"EDTEC 440: Introduction/Course Tools Assignment"
As part of Introductory course activities (Lesson 00), you'll be asked to practice using course tools through various activities and to introduce yourself. These activities will help us to learn more about you and the computing environment in which you work and learn. Since this is the first unit, it is also the place where you will find your way around. You'll have time to explore ANGEL and learn how to participate in the discussion forums. You'll be able to "upload" your files and save them right in your course space in the course site. For help with these features, click ANGEL Help and Information Guide for additional information.
"Self-check Activities"
In some of the lessons, you'll have the opportunity to complete a self-check activity that will enable you to try out new skills. These will be relatively brief assignments that ask you to try out various software packages of your choosing and to use them to complete a specific task, such as the creation of a flyer. You'll find that these activities are excellent preparation for the required, unit-level projects. While you are not required to submit the self-check activities, you are strongly encouraged to complete them!
UNIT: "Technology Integration Concepts"
In this unit, we’ll focus on framing issues related to integrating technology into the curriculum. You'll read resources on learning theory, learning with technology, and issues in technology integration, and participate in discussion activities. The final activity for this unit entails a written paper related to current topics in technology integration.
UNIT: "Productivity Tools"
In the Productivity Tools unit, you will use the various applications contained within Microsoft Office, primarily Word and Excel to create a variety of useful classroom resources (e.g. flyers for parents, seating chart, calendar, grade sheets, hall pass, etc.). You’ll also explore how to have kids use these tools for learning.
For the Unit Project, your assignment is to create documents and spreadsheets for use in education/training. You will create at least one example of document publishing (e.g., newsletter; handout; flyer), and one example of a spreadsheet that could be useful to increase your productivity as a teacher, educator, or student.
UNIT: "Communications Tools-WebQuest Project"
Your assignment is to construct a Lesson/Implementation Plan of a WebQuest – an approach to using Internet resources in the classroom. Your WebQuest should be designed according to the criteria advocated by Bernie Dodge. The WebQuest itself should be developed as one or more web pages (HTML). Your webquest project will be written up as “project documentation” that describes the project and provides more detailed steps for implementation.
This project will consist of three parts:
- Participation in a small group discussion.
- You will be asked to share your initial project idea with other EDTEC 440 students in order to solicit their feedback and suggestions.
- Likewise, you will be asked to review the initial project idea of two EDTEC 440 students in order to provide meaningful feedback and suggestions.
- Design and develop your WebQuest.
- Complete your WebQuest Project Documentation that includes a lesson and evaluation plan.
For specific requirements, refer to the WebQuest Project Guidelines and Assessment Rubrics.
UNIT: "Interactive Multimedia"
For the Project in this unit, you are to construct a Lesson/Implementation Plan that involves the use of multimedia in the classroom. You can choose to use either presentation, authoring or Web page production software. You will then complete one of the two projects described below.
This project will consist of 3 parts:
- Participation in a small group discussion.
- You will be asked to share your initial project idea with other EDTEC 440 students in order to solicit their feedback and suggestions
- Likewise, you will be asked to review the initial project idea of two EDTEC 440 students in order to provide meaningful feedback and suggestions.
- Develop your multimedia instruction.
- You will be asked to share your initial project idea with other EDTEC 440 students in order to solicit their feedback and suggestions
- Write and submit your project documentation, which describes the multimedia product you created along with relevant instructional information.
For specific requirements, refer to the Multimedia Project Guidelines and Assessment Rubrics.
UNIT: "Emerging Technologies"
In this unit, we will explore the potential of new or emerging technologies. These might be technologies like use of portable devices, blogs, wikis, podcasts, etc. Students are encouraged to explore and generate ideas related to some of these more emerging topics.
The project will consist of the following parts:
- Develop an example of a blog and a podcast
- Participation in a small group discussion
- You will be asked to critique 2 classmates products
- Write and submit your project documentation, which describes the product you created along with relevant instructional information.
For specific requirements, refer to the Emerging Technologies Project Guidelines and Assessment Rubrics.
Class Participation Expectations
You will be expected to log on to the class discussion forum and engage in discussions and activities on a regular basis (some of these are even noted on the Course Schedule). Interaction with each other is an important part of this course. Participation points are embedded within each discussion forum assignment and/or project.
It is recommended that you log on to the course at least five times a week to work through course materials and to participate in course discussions. The latter will probably be brief in duration, about 15-30 minutes, as you read and respond to your course e-mail and discussion forums. However, when you log on to work through course materials, you should plan on being engaged with the course for an hour or more.