EMC 300 Interactive Syllabus

 EMC 300 on-line is a new approach to preparing future teachers to use technology in the classroom. While regular weekly class attendance is still required, you will be using the Internet as a venue for working through course material. By using an Internet browsing software called Netscape, you will have access to electronic course content as well as dynamic links to the variety of educational resources currently being developed on the Internet. You will be using the latest computer technology to learn about how to integrate technology into the classroom.

This electronic syllabus is designed to help you understand the objectives, activities, and competencies of this on-line course. Use this interactive hypertext page to give you an idea of how to work through the course material and to help you successfully complete the assigned activities. As you read through it, keep in mind that when you click the mouse on any text or graphic that is blue, you will be taken to a page that will help you move through the course material, and link you to other World Wide Web sites locations on the Internet.
 
 As a pass-fail class, we have designed course activities that will help you gain a better understanding of technology's role in education. In an effort to promote a more holistic, self-directed learning experience, we have chosen to incorporate those activities as assignments within the course content. As instructors, we believe these activities are helpful and useful in preparing you to be future educators. They will provide you with the opportunity to develop skills and products that you will be able to take with you on your first teaching assignment.

It is our hope that by modeling the appropriate use of technology in this course, you will appropriately integrate technology in your future classroom.  Your performance within the context of this class, however,  must be assessed.  Therefore, to obtain a passing grade, you must complete all of the assignments with a passing competency.  No incompletes will be given for this one credit course!

1. Do not be surprised if you run into problems.  Online courses are still relatively new, and we will have to work things out as we go along. As a future educator who will most definitely be using technology, learn from your feelings of frustration as a student so that you can learn teaching strategies that will help your future students feel less frustration.
2. Be patient.  If you have trouble accessing class materials, notify us and then wait and try again a little later.  Remember that even though you can't see us, we are working to make the class go as smoothly as possible.
3. Make the effort to communicate.  Stay in regular contact with your classmates and instructors by using the EMCHELP listserv and the Help & Conferencing board.  Talk to and work cooperatively with your fellow students to extend and enhance your learning.
4. Don't be afraid to ask for help.  Questions that other students might benefit from can be sent to the EMCHELP listserv or posted on the Help & Conferencing board, and individual questions can be directed to your instructor through email or during office hours.  If you leave all of the assignments until the end of the semester to do, you will be overwhelmed, even if you have some developed technical skills.

Course Content
 This required pass/fail course includes three modules designed to provide an introduction to computer technology's use and integration into the K-12 classroom.  Each module will include conceptual information as well as sample screens and links to Internet resources chosen to strengthen understanding and elaborate on the concepts.

While there are no set rules for which of the following modules you explore first, second or last, although we suggest that you go through the modules as directed in your particular class section. We will be moving from more basic material to more complex in the classroom, and some of the material found in the later modules requires the understanding of information discussed in the earlier modules
 

Background Information
The Background Information section is designed to help you get started on understanding what the Internet is and how it will be used to deliver much of the course content for this course. Please use this module to become familiar with the Internet and the World Wide Web, as you will be using both to learn about integrating technology into your future classrooms. Also included in the introduction are basic hardware concepts such as processors, memory, storage, input/output, computer networks and the variety of platforms. Information on evaluation, care, and setup will also be reviewed.  For many students, this information will already be familiar; if you are new to using computers, please take the time to review this content.

Technology for Communication
In the Technology for Communication module, you will concentrate on learning to communication with colleagues through e-mail, take advantage of the knowledge available from other educators by joining some of the many listservs of special interest to K-12 educators, and search for a variety of educational resources available on the Internet. Routes will be provided to many  lesson plans and locations with vested interests in the K-12 educational realm.   By learning to navigate the Internet successfully, you will gain an understanding of current informational wealth as well as potential problem areas.
 
Technology for Instruction
The Technology for Instruction module will introduce the various types of educational software and Internet resources, giving practice with evaluating products for quality and showing how they can be used for instruction. Basic HTML and web design will be discussed as a means of instruction and also as a means for organizing a portfolio of technology skills learned in this class.

Techology for Management
Teachers can not only learn to use technology as a resource for meaningful educational content, but they can also use it to make administrative tasks easier. This section will include the use of word processors, databases, spreadsheets, and other software tools for the day-to-day management and organization of a classroom. Finally, this section will look at how new multimedia software can be used by both teachers and students for presentations and authentic work products.

 

EMC 300 is offered for credit through