Educational Technology for Teaching and Learning
 

COURSE SYLLABUS

Course # 60204
3 Credit Hours
Spring 2012
Dr. Pastore
Bloomsburg University


 Class Web Site:
http://et.teacherworld.com

Course Description:
Educational Technology for Teaching and Learning is an introductory Educational Technology course required for all Elementary and Secondary Education majors.  The course is designed to meet the ISTE National Educational Technology Standards for teachers.  Students will learn to use technology as a tool to improve the teaching and learning processes.  The methodologies and materials used in the course are updated each semester according to current trends, practices, and research in the field of Educational Technology.  In addition, technologies used in the course will be same the technologies that are used and available in the K-12 schools.  Although this is primarily a PC course, students will be exposed to the Macintosh platform.

Sections: Room MCHS 1148
T/Th 9:30 - 10:45
T/Th 11:00 - 12:15

Class Assignments and the Class Schedule:
Information about class assignments and the class schedule is updated weekly as the course progresses and is NOT included in this syllabus.  YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE for checking the class web page on a weekly basis to learn about future assignments and the class schedule.

Instructor:
Raymond S. Pastore, Ph.D.
MCHS 1109 or MCHS 1148 Lab (I am in one of these two areas during office hours)
My Office/Lab Office/Secondary Office: 570-389-4044/4236/4025
rpastore@bloomu.edu
TITLE YOUR EMAIL "CLASS"
Note: I will not respond to email sent to any other address.

Books:
Although I have used a textbook in the past, we will not be using a textbook this semester. All of the information you need for this course can be found on the web. Consequently, you will be assigned readings found on the web.

Assignments and Grading:
You will be given advance notice of points for assignments and tests.  You will also be given points for class attendance and presentations (discussed below) .  Points will be converted to percentages. 

Your final grade will be based on a PERCENTAGE system as follows:

A         94-100
A-        90-93
B+       88-89
B         85-87
B-        81-84
C+       79-80
C         75-78
C-        71-74
D         68-70
E          67 and below

Getting an "A"
An "A" indicates superior work. You will receive an "A" in this ONLY course if you meet ALL of the following conditions:

• Your percentage is between 94-100.
• You do not turn in ANY late assignments.
• You are prepared on the day presentations are due.
• You do not miss more than 2 unexcused classes.
• You received the full points on assignments without re-submitting.

Class Attendance:
Class attendance and participation are expected.  You will be given points for class attendance and presentations (see below) that will constitute 15% of the final grade. If you miss class when you are scheduled to do a presentation, you will NOT be able to make-up the presentation unless you have an excused absence.  An "excused" absence is one that has been authorized by the University Administration or documented by a physician.  Please note that this does not include notes from the student health center.  Missing class to observe in the schools is NOT an "excused absence."  All documentation of excused absences will be collected at the end of the semester.

Please visit http://www.bloomu.edu/policies/3506.php for definitions and policies of class attendance.  If you come to class after roll was taken, it is your responsibility to inform me that you were present.  If you miss class, it is your responsibility to obtain class notes and assignments from me. An attendance roll sheet will be circulated during each class after the first week.  It is your responsibility to sign this sheet. You will not receive credit for class attendance unless your name is on your sheet.

Note:

If you have unexcused absences for any presentations or special classes in this course, you will not receive a grade higher than a "B" even if your points average to a higher grade. Special classes are defined as classes where we have a guest speaker or only have access to special equipment for a specific class.

If you have unexcused absences for 10% or more of the classes in this course, you will not receive a grade higher than a "B" even if your points average to a higher grade.

If you have unexcused absences for 20% or more of the classes in this course, you will not receive a grade higher than a "B" even if your points average to a higher grade.

If you have unexcused absences for 25% or more of the classes in this course, you will not receive a grade higher than a "C" even if your points average to a higher grade.

If you have unexcused absences for 33% or more of the classes in this course, you will not pass the course even if your points average to a higher grade.

The rationale for this is that we will be doing activities in class that cannot always be made up by assignments or tests. In addition, if you are going to be a teacher and cannot come to a class within your MAJOR, then you do not deserve to get the same grade as students who make the effort to come to class.

Class Presentations:
During the semester, there will be occasions when class members present their projects to the class. The educational value of these session in terms of presenting and sharing are difficult to measure through written assessments.  Therefore, students may be given extra points for presentations that will exceed the value of points given for attendance on other days.

Timeliness of Presentations:
If you are unable to do a presentation because you were having technical problems, you must notify me at least one week in advance so that we could have time to remediate your problems.  I cannot excuse you from doing a scheduled presentation because you had technical difficulties.

Points on Assignments:
Each assignment is worth a certain number of points, however, you will not receive ANY points for an incomplete assignment.  In addition, you will not receive ANY points if you do not obtain at least 70% of the allocated points for the assignment.  The rationale for this policy is that an assignment that is partially completed or that is below the expected average of performance is not useful to you or your future students.

Start of Class:
I do not start the class, YOU start the class.  Class officially begins when YOU walk into the lab.  You should logon to your computer and begin to work on your assignments.  At the beginning of most classes, I usually circulate through the lab and see if there are any questions or if anyone needs help.  In classes where there is large group instruction, I will notify you when it is time to meet in the front of the lab.  Large group instruction may begin at any time from the beginning of the class toward the end of the class.

End of Class:
You are expected to remain in the lab until I dismiss the class or dismiss you.  If you completed your assignment and would like to leave, you should check with me and I will proof your assignment.

Late Assignments:
I do not accept late assignments unless you have an excused absence as defined above.  If you have an excused absence and the assignment is due, then it is due the next class.  On days when assignments are due, they are due when you walk into the lab.  You are not permitted to work on assignments in class on the day that assignments are due. Also, please note that an email the day before the assignment is due is not considered contacting me BEFORE the assignment is due. You must notify me with adequate time to respond to your email or set up an appointment (3 days minimum). In the past, some students have come to class when an assignment was due and turned in the assignment at the end of class after they worked in it during class. Please note that this is not acceptable. You will not be given credit for an assignment that was due before you came to class.

Emailing of Assignments:
Due to time constraints and potential technical problems, I do not accept any assignments through email.

Resubmitting of Work
I do not accept any resubmitted work because directions are specifically given on the web site.  In addition, assignment requirements are discussed in class.  If you don't understand the assignment, please see me BEFORE the assignment is due.

Class Time for Completion of Assignments
Although there is no standard agreement as to the number of hours you should spend outside of class on each course, a common thought is that you should be prepared to spend between 2 and 3 hours of studying each week for EACH credit (see How to Succeed in College). Translated, that would mean between 6 and 9 hours of outside class time for a 3 credit course. Many students in this course believe that class time should be allocated for completing assignments IN CLASS! So you don't have any misinterpretation, please understand that the priority of class time is for instruction and guidance in completing the goals of this course. You will NOT have enough class time to complete all projects, therefore, you need to plan accordingly!

Quality of Your Work
As a future teacher, you will be expected to bring the latest research methodologies and technologies to your student teaching experience and ultimately, your first job experience.  You will not gain all of the technical knowledge that you need to know from this course; however, you will become aware of some of the high expectations of today's schools. Many of our Bloomsburg teachers are sought after as high quality teacher candidates and a significant portion of our teachers eventually become leaders in the schools.  You will be expected to put no less than 100% effort into the work of this course.  Consequently, I reserve the right to reject any work including units, web pages, and presentations that signifies minimal effort and does not reflect the high quality expected in our graduates. 

Feedback on Your Work:
I correct most of your work at the midterm and end of the semester because this is when most assignments are due.  In some instances, I may correct your work at other times during the semester.  I STRONGLY suggest that you get feedback from me BEFORE an assignment is due.  If you are wondering about your grade status or an evaluation of a particular assignment, then you should see me to schedule a time to meet. I also STRONGLY suggest that you meet with me once your projects are completed and before they are due. In this case, you will receive immediate feedback on your projects and will be able to make any corrections on your work.

Academic Integrity:
On past occasions, students have copied materials from other students (i.e. web site resources) and have had other persons work on their projects outside of class.  In addition, students have used unauthorized aids during written tests.  Persons suspected of plagiarism will be asked to demonstrate the work through written and/or verbal assessment by the instructor.  Any student caught engaging in cheating or plagiarism will be subject to sanctions described in the Academic Integrity Policy found at http://www.bloomu.edu/policies/3512.php that can include failure of the course.

University Students with Disabilities:
If you have an identified disability that may affect your performance in this class, you should schedule an appointment with the instructor so that reasonable adjustments/provisions may be discussed to better insure that you will have an equal opportunity to meet all the requirements of this course.

Class Cancellations by the Instructor:
In the event that I may have to cancel a class due to an emergency, I will post a message on the class web site.   You may have an alternate assignment posted on the web if a scheduled class is cancelled.  

Web Classes:
During the course, you MAY have a number of "web classes" posted on the class web site.  This does not mean that class is cancelled.  It means that class activities and assignments are posted on the web.  You should complete these assignments as they are posted.  Do not wait until the last minute.  Remember that web classes take the place of class meetings and are given in addition to homework assignments. GROUPS OF INDIVIDUALS WHO COMPLETE THESE WEB CLASSES TOGETHER ARE PLAGIARIZING.  The web classes are intended to give individualized instruction.  Please note that some of the web classes may be posted during class cancellations due to weather or other unexpected emergencies.

About the Use of Technology in Dr. Pastore's Educational Computing Course:
In order to avoid misconceptions about the role of technology in this course, you need to be aware of basic assumptions made by this instructor:

• Technology use in the schools is only at the "tip of the iceberg."  The use of technology, particularly web-based technologies, will  permeate the school curriculum in growing proportions.
• Recent graduates  will be expected to become technology leaders in the use and integration of technology in the classroom.
• Technology is a tool used to improve teaching and learning.  It is not a means to an end.
• The proficient use of technology will distinguish you from other teacher candidates who are not proficient in technology.
• The technology in this course is "leading edge" technology.
• The difficulty of the technology in this course is for the average person, not a technology "wizard."

Back-up & Saving Files:
SAVE OFTEN AND ALWAYS MAKE BACK-UP COPIES OF YOUR WORK ON A SECOND DISK OR FLASH DRIVE! I cannot accept the excuse that you lost your files.  Please make back-ups.  Assume that you will lose files; therefore, you must have a back-up.

Although I usually collect "print-outs" and not disks or flash drives, you are expected to produce a copy of the file if requested!  If you cannot produce it, you will not be given credit for your work.  You are responsible for all work in this course; therefore, you must always protect your work by saving often and making a back-up copy.

Tests:
You may have one or more tests in this course.  A review will be conducted for each test.

Final:
You will not have a written final during finals week.  In accordance with the Academic Examination Policies found at http://www.bloomu.edu/policies/3516.php, your final will be your web site and/or written portfolio.  This practice is based on the performance-based nature of this course.  In addition, the use of performance-based assessment in this course serves as a model for 21st-century research-based teaching practices advocated by our Elementary and Secondary Education programs.

1148 Lab Hours:
Check the web site after the first week of classes for this information.

Course Objectives:

Your responsibility...

·         Decide whether you want to become the best teacher that you can possibly be...

·         Come to class

·         Do all assignments to the best of your ability

·         Visit the web site on a weekly basis and read all assignments in detail

·         Participate in class

My responsibility...

·         INTRODUCE you to the process, knowledge, and skills necessary to use technology in the schools

·         Provide you with the leadership and help to be successful in this course

·         Stimulate your creative thinking about teaching and give you a positive vision of the teaching future

About Getting Help
I am a teacher, and my job is to help you succeed in this course.  I ALWAYS walk around during class and ask students if they need help.   If you need help, PLEASE ASK.    I promise that I will not degrade you, berate you, or make you think that you should have known the information. I cannot read your mind or always determine if you need help.   Please do not hesitate to ask.  If you need more help than I can give in class, you must be willing to make an appointment with me.  Please be patient during class if I am helping other students. 

Some Final Advice
This is an INTRODUCTORY course. You will NOT learn everything there is to know about using technology in the schools.  You will be introduced to a number of technologies, but in order to really learn them, you must continue to use and apply technology after this course ends. 

Relax, have fun, and enjoy the course.  You should not worry about the work load or technologies in this course because you will progress through these areas one-step at a time.  Keep up with the work and come to class.  Remember that you are here to prepare for the future!  I will be happy to meet with you if you have apprehensions about succeeding in this course.
 

You will be given a copy of the form below to sign on the first day of class.  You will be asked to sign this form.   If you don’t understand this syllabus, please ask questions or meet with me before signing. 

SYLLABUS FORM FOR DR. PASTORE’S CLASSES

Course Name:

Course Meeting Time(s) and Day(s):

Semester:

Your Name (printed):

Name (signature):

Date:

Address:

Phone (Campus):

Email:

Major:

My expectations or what I would like to learn in this course:

Please check ONE of the areas below:

____ I have received a syllabus, read the syllabus, and understand the course requirements.

____ I would like to meet with you to discuss the syllabus.

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©Raymond S. Pastore, Ph.D.
Professor of Education
Teacherworld.com
1148 McCormick Center
Bloomsburg University
Bloomsburg, PA 17815-1301
570-389-4236/4025