EDTE 231: Introduction to Computers in the Classroom
Course Syllabus
Department of Teacher Education
California State University, Sacramento
Spring, 2001

 
 
 

Instructor Info
Course Description
Assignments
Calendar
My Home Page

 


Class Times
Section 02: Wed 4:00-6:50p.m.
Instructor Dr. Susan O'Hara
Phone 278-4616
Email oharas@csus.edu
Web Site www.csus.edu/indiv/o/oharas
Office Hours Wednesday: 3-4p.m. EUR 310 
Thursday: 1-2p.m. EUR301 
Monday - Friday via Email


Instructional Goals and Defined Outcomes, Assignments and Grading Rubrics
There are a number of goals for this course, addressing skills, knowledge, learning processes and attitudes. The course attempts to cover as many of the topics below as time allows. Topics are determined by student need and entry level skills.
Class meeting is 3 hours which includes Lab Activities for a minimum of 2 hours per week. Extra Credit available for doing some of the hands on activities in real classrooms with children. The primary activities of the class will revolve around constructing an Intel Teach to the Future unit portfolio which meets the California Commission on Teacher Credentialling's Standard required for the Preliminary Credential

Participants will gain skills and knowledge in the following areas:

Participants will gain attitudes and processes in the following areas:

Assignments
Evaluation procedures are at the discretion of the faculty member teaching the course, although all students are responsible for demonstrating competency based on the state standards (see CTC standard indicators attached). Final grades will be based upon student mastery of competencies.  Grading Rubric is below.

Participants will be graded on a combination of completion of hands-on activities, submission of projects (data base, spreadsheet, telecommunications) and use of a word processor. Participants will develop an electronic portfolio which addresses the skills and activities identified below and the CTC Foundation standards.



Grading Rubric
Assignments/Tasks
% of grade
"A"
"B"
"C"
Unit Portfolio Grading Criteria
 35%
     
Class Participation and Attendance
15%
 There is opportunity for extra credit through extra projects.
Tutorial Assignments 35%
15 or 30 points per item 
(full credit) 
10 or 20 points per item 5 or 10 points per item
Class Discussions: You must respond to 3/5 questions on the Task stream discussion board on class readings
15%
There are three opportunities for extra credit


Required student materials:

Students will be required to subscribe to a web based program called Task stream.  This will give them access to a series of online modules for gaining computer skills.  This will be in place of a textbook. Students will also be given a Intel Teach to the Future Binder which will allow them to complete the Unit Portfolio Assignment

Calendar

In the Calendar Table below Blue Cells represent the days you are required to attend class.  Yellow cells represents days you can complete a tutorial and corresponding assignment at home.  On those days the instructor will always be available in class if you prefer to complete the tutorial in class with assistance.
 


August 29, 2001 

Course Topics:

Discussion of the Instructional Process and an Introduction to the Course Outcomes

Introduction to the Unit Portfolio

File Management

Activities: 

  • Set up the unit portfolio folders on sharedrive - 
  •  Self Assessment and Unit Portfolio Outline 
Reading Assignment: 
High Hopes, High Hurdles 
  • Assignments: 
    • 1. Send e-mail to instructor to introduce yourself and your interest. 
    • 3. Pre Assessment for Technology Skills- Using the CTC Standards, ask yourself 3 questions for each outcome: What do I already know about this? How did I learn it? and What more do I need to learn?  Place pre assessment in your portfolio folder. 

There will be no class on September 5.  You should complete your pre assessment before September 12th and make sure you register for Task stream at www.taskstream.com



September 12, 2001

Course Topics:

Activities: 

Reading Assignment:



September 19, 2001
Course Topics

Computer Tools for Teaching and Learning 
Browsing the Internet

Activities: 

Introduction to the Internet, WWW AND Using Netscape . Internet tutorials on Task stream

Reading Assignment:


Getting Started on the Internet: Safe Surfing

At Home Assignments: 


September 26, 2001
Course Topics

Computer Tools for Teaching and Learning 
Basic Orientation to the Computer and Instructional Media

Activities: 

Word Processing Tutorial on Task stream

Reading Assignment:

Bring to class next week your resume on a disk or uploaded to the courses web site
At Home Assignments:

 



September 3, 2001

Course Topics

Introduction to Databases 
Activities:

Database Tutorial on Task stream

Reading Assignment: 

Rationale for database use
  • At Home Assignments:  
    • Set up a sample database for maintaining student/parent information (Rubric) 

 



October 10, 2001

Course Topics:

Introduction to Illustrated Word Processing

Activities: 

Intermediate Word Processing tutorial on Task stream

Reading Assignment: 

If I Teach this Way Am I Doing My Job?
Read the article the go to the Taskstream Discussion Board and post you reflection
  • In Class Assignments:  
    • Using Microsoft Word create a newsletter or other illustrated document for use in a classroom 

 



October 17, 2001

Course Topics:

Using Multimedia in the classroom

Activities: 

Introduction to the Multimedia Plan
Complete Powerpoint Tutorial on Taskstream

Reading Assignment: 

Computers and Classrooms: The Status of Technology in U.S. Schools
Read the article the go to the Taskstream Discussion Board and post you reflection
  • In Class Assignments:  In Teams develop a multimedia Presentation 

 



October 24, 2001 

Course Topics:

Using Methods and Media in the Classroom
Identifying Methods and Media for Learning 
Where to find lesson plans and educational software, including how to evaluate it. 
 

Activities: 

Reading Assignment: 

Project-Based Learning Just Became Easy: An Introduction to Web Quests

Read the article the go to the Taskstream Discussion Board and post you reflection
 

  • In Class Assignments: 
    • Task Stream: In the Taskstream Rubric wizard create a rubric for evaluating lessons. In the Taskstream Cybrary review two lesson plans from the lesson database. Base your reviews on the article and type up your review in Microsoft Word. 

 



October 31, 2001 

Course Topics:

Evaluating Student Learning

Activities: 

Reading Assignment: 

  • The School–Home Connection:Using Technology to Increase

  • Parent-to-Teacher Communication
     

     

    • At Home Assignments :  
      • Create a lesson Plan using Task stream which will fit with your Unit Portfolio 


    November 7, 2001 


    Time to catch up on assignments 
    Time to work on Unit plan

     

    Please complete feedback form and email it to me at oharas@csus.edu OR through Taskstream.

     

    Thankyou

    Activities: 

    Reading Assignment:

     Kids World: A Collaborative Multimedia Magazine
    By Nader Ghali

    Read the article the go to the Taskstream Discussion Board and post you reflection
     



    November 14, 2001 

    Course Topics:

    Using Spreadsheets: An Introduction to Excel

     

    Activities: 

    Reading Assignment: 

    A Spreadsheet With Heart
    by Catherine Nelson 

    Read the article the go to the Taskstream Discussion Board and post you reflection
     

    • At Home Assignments: 
      • A sample grade book 


    November 28, 2001

    Course Topics:

    Issues and Directions in Instructional Technology

    Activities: 

    Using Netscape Composer to Develop a Web site

    Reading Assignment: 

    HTML for Educators
    • In Class Assignments:  
      •  Completing your Unit Portfolio 

     


    December 5, 2001

    Course Topics:

    Bringing all elements of the Unit Portfolio together

    Activities: 

    Presentations of Unit Portfolios (15 minutes each)
    Reading Assignment: