FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF  EDUCATION

EDUC6584     Computer as a Teacher's Aid: Curriculum and Instruction (6584)Schedule:        Tuesday and Thursday (4:30 - 7:40)

Instructor:       Professor Nick Miceli

Contact Information: nmiceli@fdu.edu  or 201-978-2612 (cell)

Course Description

     The computer is treated as a foundational tool integrated into a teacher's daily professional work and classroom activities. Topics covered include the authoring and use of standard software packages and the initiation and development of a professional electronic portfolio site for use both in current graduate studies and professional school-based activities.

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Class Web Ring

Stephanie Arena

Jonathan Banta

Kelly Batten

Francis Deegan

Corina Drozdowski

Diane Gold

Chris Hernandez

Alecia Hirsch

Lisa Hroncich

Eva Kahng

Yamilette Rich

Jennifer Rosenbaum

Deborah Southwood-Smith

Leonella Spagnolo

Classwork ActivitiesFlashcards
Room Sign
How to Make a Table of Contents
Award Certificate Mail Merge
Timeline

Schedule

1 5/27	Introduction to Computer as a Teacher's Aide Setup Novel accounts and e-mail Class overview EdFolio sites  Student Questionnaire code 77 Skills Rubric (individual computer skills assessment)   NJCCCS 8.0 http://www.nj.gov/education/cccs/s8_tech.pdf Word (MOS) competencies Assignments and projects Using Technology in Today's Classroom - Serif and Sanserif fonts Windows OS  bytes and bits Introduction to Edfolio - creating a new account, tabs, stories, files - Edfolio tutorial
2 5/29	Word processing applications for the classroom flash cards, dimensional writing, formatting, fonts, attributes.    See Word for help    Digital image - insert, crop, resize Digital Imaging    copying, sizing, insertion and types of graphics   Excel basic operation   Digital Imaging MS Word (tutorial)/ MS Word project/ Intro to Graphic Design/ Intro to Elements of Visual Literacy and Assessment Criteria of Visual Elements
3 6/3	save and open Word  basics open program toolbars key combinations cut, copy and paste file structure header and footer inserting page numbers autocorrect paragraph  formatting Word processing applications for the classroom flash cards, dimensional writing, formatting, fonts, attributes.    See Word for help E-mail attachments CC BCC Introduction to Power Point
4 6/5	PowerPoint for Educators Effective Presentations Introduction to Power Point printing handout   view this example of text animation animate all elements as they originally appeared in the slideshow Power Point - styles, animations, file server, locating files Working with Power Point slides views format Slide Master graphics ball animation Graphics on the Web Copyright Free Graphics All Free Original Clipart Classroom Free Clipart Clipart Connection Discovery School Monsterama Free Clipart be sure to check for site restrictions   Introduction to MS Publisher   tutorial MS Publisher Project Graphics on the Web Copyright Free Graphics All Free Original Clipart Classroom Free Clipart Clipart Connection Discovery School Monsterama Free Clipart be sure to check for site restrictions   to resize photos use Photoshop Elements or Photo Resize Magic MS Publisher/MS Word project work time Microsoft Word for Educators Word tables - creating a class list and keeping records Publisher Newsletter
5 6/10	Word   Mail Merge Autocorrect Function Keys (F keys)   Introduction to the FDU EdFolio/ Creation of Stories page and navigation structure/posting assignments PowerPoint Ball animation   Excel Finish Gradebook formula Creating a weighted gradebook  Creating Excel for cross calculations   Word Newsletter Mail Merge Autocorrect Function Keys (F keys)   Intro to Graphic Design RESOURCES   Intro to Elements of Visual Literacy and Assessment Criteria of Visual Elements  Articles on Teaching Visual Literacy   A Primer on Visual Literacy   The On-Line Visual Literacy Project view PowerPoint presentation   Database Basics Project work time
6 6/12	Excel Finish Gradebook formula Microsoft Excel for Educators (tutorial) /Begin the use of Excel as data collection tool Excel Gradebook (continued)/ Project work time  Creating a weighted gradebook  Creating Excel for cross calculations Database Basics - create a database  with 10 web resources.  The webpages you use should be specific in contect and narrow enough to apply into a teaching subject category.  You can use this form or one of your own but you must include the site's name, URL (address), subject (Math, Language Arts, Science, etc.), topic (addition, writing, earth science, etc.) and description.  To evaluate the sites use the criteria you find in the following file to evaluate each site: Web evaluation and use this Rubric   Project work time     Word Mail Merge Publisher Newsletter PowerPoint Complete and post ball animation See three common errors made by presenters and some annoying elements found in PowerPoint presentations.   Digital Imaging - copy, size crop      - exercise crop this image to show each girl in a separate picture What is the Internet?   History of the Internet  Use the websites above to create an Excel timeline  for the development of the Internet (10 dates) A Concise Guide to Internet Groups Website Evaluating  The ABCs of Web Site Evaluation, Evaluation of websites should be based on a web page found at:                      http://www.techlearning.com/content/magazine/picksofmonth_archive.html   Web Evaluation Rubric Class assignment - create and post a web evaluation rubric Creating a Web resource Select and log web sites using Evaluation Criteria MS Excel (Gradebook) Editing a Weighted Gradebook       adding students       adding tasks       adding worksheets   Internet Research &Web Search Techniques Net Smarttz Workshop The NetSmartz Workshop is an interactive, educational safety resource from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children® (NCMEC) and Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) for children aged 5 to 17, parents, guardians, educators, and law enforcement that uses age-appropriate, 3-D activities to teach children how to stay safer on the Internet. Read an overview of NetSmartz age-appropriate materials for each age group   Childrens' Internet Safety
7 6/17	FDU EdFolio Review posting on Edfolio View blackboard     gradebook     file exchange Power Point printing handout transitions, animation, methods of presentation printing, speaker notes (see handout ·                     elements of an effective presentation ·                     design ·                     hyperlinks  Publisher work on Newsletter Excel Excel gradebook Website Directory creating charts in Excel dynamic data     The Webquest  - learn the basics from this presentation.   Use the Webquest Graphic to determine if you should create a webquest   Webquest Process - Building Blocks - Design Patterns - Examples - Lessons - Rubric A Webquest on Webquests Best Webquests Webquest E-map Webquest Word Template Evaluating Webquests Bloom's Taxonomy Learning Domains or Bloom's Taxonomy The Webquest  - learn the basics from this presentation.Use the Webquest Graphic todetermine if you should create a webquestWebquest Process- Building Blocks- Design Patterns- Examples- Lessons- RubricA Webquest on WebquestsBest WebquestsWebquest E-mapWebquest Word Templatewebquest templateEvaluating WebquestsBloom's Taxonomy   Class WebRing
8 6/19	The Internet Smart searching Four NETS for Searching the Internet Specialized Search Engines and Directories Selecting the right search engine   A Collection of Special Search Engines   PowerPoint ·                     transitions, ·                     printing, speaker notes (see handout) ·                     elements of an effective presentation ·                     design   Project work time Independent Project work time - EdFolio Site Independent Project work time - Independent Project work time - Website Directory   Customizing PowerPoint Creating non linear presentations/adding audio and video/saving and printing presentations   Overview of Final Presentations   Submission of all class activities   Narrative Posting to edfolio
9 6/24	Thinkfinity training - Internet resources   Power Point PowerPoint transitions, animation, methods of presentation printing, speaker notes (see handout elements of an effective presentation design hyperlinks  Word student desk name tags for parents' night how to create a resume and room sign  View the Power Point presentation The Resume for thoughts on writing a resume.  Technology Standards and Acceptable Use Policies Acceptable Use Policies Translating for Students REVIEW OF FDU's AUP General Resident Class Activity National Technology Standards Teachers Students Performance Indicators by Grade New Jersey Technology Standards Core Curriculum Content Standards NJCCCS and technology Insuring we meet the 8.1 standards/Internet Research &Web Search Techniques   ASSIGNMENT 5 due
10 6/26	complete gradebook (attendance) PowerPoint transitions, printing, speaker notes (see handout) elements of an effective presentation design Technology Integration in the Classroom/ Technology Standards/  -  Introduction to WebQuests -  Use these online tools to assist students with learning concepts by creating interactive content. NJ Technology Standards ISTE Standards Completion of Project - Power Point - charts - speaker handouts   Narrative Postings to edfolio   PowerPoint for Educators Creating Effective Presentations/PowerPoint Tips ASSIGNMENTS 1 & 2 (publication using Word (door sign or flyer) and Publisher (newsletter)
11 7/1	Class Presentations ASSIGNMENT 3 & 4 due (gradebook and mail merge)
12 7/3	ASSIGNMENT #6 due Assignment #8 due Last Day to post assignments

ASSIGNMENTS

BASIS FOR GRADE

Your grade will be based upon an accumulation of points that you earn through completing the following course requirements:

1.     Assignment #1: Custom Publication using Word              5 points

2.     Assignment #2:  Custom Publication using MS Publisher 10 points

3.     Assignment #3:  Data book using Excel 10 points

4.     Assignment #4:  Mail merged document 10 points

5.     Assignment #5: Hyperlinked Directory 10 points

6.     Assignment #6:  Multimedia Presentation 20 points

7.     Assignment #7: Review one scholarly article 10 points

9.     Assignment #9:  Class assignments and participation 5 points

TOTAL POSSIBLE POINTS:      100 POINTS

ASSIGNMENTS 1 & 2:  Develop a Custom Publications for Use in the Classroom (15 points) - due Session 10

Using the features of Microsoft Word and Publisher, develop two classroom publications for a grade level with text and graphics which could be sent home to parents or distributed to the rest of the school.  The publications should focus on a specific content area that you would teach in the classroom (mathematics, reading, social studies, or science) and contain information about the field that students and parents would find helpful.  It should be based upon current research in the field and reflect solid foundational knowledge of the content area. The publication should contain examples of how the content is applied in the classroom.  For example, if you choose the field of reading for first grade, you can focus on phonemic awareness and discuss the importance of this for beginning readers, and provide specific examples of phonemic awareness activities.  You will develop a Phonemic Awareness Newsletter for parents and the community.

You will communicate visually with the reader by the design layout and the selection and placement of elements. The design elements promote visual literacy to convey information, increase the visual knowledge of the reader, and purposefully and aesthetically engage the viewer. These graphic elements should not be decorative additions but integrated into the meaning of the text; you should select visual content that is thought- provoking and promotes visual literacy.

ASSIGNMENT 3 & 4:  Develop and maintain a data book and corresponding mail merged document (grades, contact information, and attendance roster) and graphs on students' progress to analyze student data. (20 points) - due Session 11

Using Microsoft Excel, develop a gradebook which will enable you to maintain records for your students and comparatively graph their progress. Develop an assessment system for one subject area (i.e., Language Arts) that reflects at least 5 grades for different assignments.  Give each of these 5 grades a different weight and describe what type of assessment you are using in a separate paper. For example, one assignment might be a "book talk" to the class which is assessed using a rubric and is worth 25 points or 25% of the grade. Another assignment might be a writing sample which is scaled on a rubric and worth 50% of the grade. 

ASSIGNMENT 5:  Create a directory of hyperlinked educational websites for one content area.  (10 points) - due Session 9

Using Microsoft Excel develop a directory or database of at least 10 recommended websites which could include electronic research sources and sites that can be used in a research paper.  Include the site name, topic, subject and grade level.  Categorize the sites into subject; teacher resource, parent resource or student resource; and grade level. Be certain you have working hyperlinks for each website to allow users to quickly access your reference list. Each website should be one that you could use in your own content-area curriculum or future research paper/presentation.

ASSIGNMENT #6:  Develop a multimedia presentation using Microsoft PowerPoint.  (20 points) - due Session 11 or 12

Using Microsoft PowerPoint develop a short presentation which will be presented to the class.  

Present an eudcational technology concept and explain how it enriches and enhances the instructional process. 

or

* The Virtual Trip

The purpose of the virtual trip is to make a culminating project that will display your computer presentationability.  The selection of a location and time period are your own personal choice.

The contents of the project include:

·        A multimedia presentation (Power Point) http://edweb.fdu.edu/anyfile/MiceliN/PowerPoint.ppt

o      Show actual pictures, clipart, maps, charts, and/or any other graphics that illustrate your trip

o      Should be no more than a 10 minute presentation (10 to 15 slides)

o      Color, balance, design, timing all count (covered during instruction)

o      Only include pertinent and/or interesting information

o      Don't include anything that isn't factual

·         Cite all sources used

o       Must be in correct format

See EXAMPLES of students' work

Have fun and enjoy your trip!

The visuals you use in the PowerPoint presentation should promote a deeper understanding of the concept you are developing. They should not be clipart icons added to fill space and look cute. The selection of the image must follow the rules of good design. You could arrange the elements so that they are not scattered around the page. You should develop a center of interest on each slide, or the most important element on the page. You can then visually balance the center of interest with less dramatic visual elements, usually three smaller elements, to lead the eye around subsequent slides. The viewer will then read the visual elements that are essential to the communication of the information. These visual elements should not be decorative art. 

Assignment #7: Review one scholarly article on instructional technology and write a synthesis of this article in a one-two page paper. (10 points - due Session 6

Choose an area that interests you such as using iPods in the classroom, how e-books are changing the way we read, video gaming in education, blogs and wikkis, or social software such as MySpace and write a brief one to two page paper using a scholarly journal articles.  Make sure that the article relate to the topic you choose.  The scholarly journal article can be obtained from the FDU library and should be approved by the instructor.  Articles from popular magazines or newspapers are not acceptable.  Some journals you can review are: 

• Journal of Research on Computing in Education
• Educational  Technology
• Journal of Computers in Schools
• Review of Educational Research
• Journal of  Instructional Technology and Distance Learning
• Journal of Educational Computing Research
• Computers in Education Journal

For a comprehensive list of online journals that include articles about instructional technology go to: http://www.unc.edu/cit/guides/journals.html

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You can also go to sites like http://readingonline.org, http://innovateonline.info, ISTE's - Learning & Leading with Technology at http://www.iste.org/LL/31/8/index.cfm, and The Educational Technology Journal at http://www.fno.org/.

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You can also use ERIC - Educational Resources Information Center at: http://www.eric.ed.gov/.

Please use APA style in referencing your work.  Use http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/ to help you.

Include a reflection in your paper in which you discuss how this assignment helped you as a future (or current) teacher, and what benefits you gained from it.  You will also choose one (or two) of the New Jersey Professional Standards for Teachers and given a rationale as to why this assignment addresses this standard.

As long as the article you review is from peer-reviewed journals and report scholarly research in the field, they will be acceptable. If you have questions, please contact your instructor. 

ASSIGNMENT #8: Create an electronic portfolio using EdFolio (20 points) - due Session 10

Using the template provided in class, you will create an electronic portfolio which incorporates all the features and links required for the School of Education. The electronic portfolio will be used by the student as a means to demonstrate that the student has met all 10 New Jersey Professional Standards for Teachers at the completion of the certification program.  For this class, the basic template will be set up by each student so that it can be used to collect artifacts from each class the student takes in their graduate work.  Also included on your site will be a brief paper describing your evolving philosophy of education and the role of instructional technology in education.  Why is it important to integrate technology into the classroom? What benefit, if any, does technology have on student learning?  Be sure to mention ethical and social considerations in your statement such as equity issues, using technology ethically and fairly, and social implications of using technology in the classroom (see NETS standard #6).

ASSIGNMENT #9:  Class Assignments and Participation (5 points)

Peer feedback is an integral part of any position.  Nowhere is it more important than in the field of education.  The classroom can be a very isolated place.  The ability to interact with one's colleagues and act upon constructive comments is a vital skill for an educator to develop.  Interaction within the class will be judged on a weekly basis

Course Outcomes

This course supports the Professional Standards for Teachers (NJPST) which can be found at:  http:/www.state.nj.us/njded/profdev/profstand/standards.pdf

This course also supports the following ISTE National Educational Technology Standards (NETS) for Teachers which all candidates will be assessed on.

The six standards are:

1        TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS AND CONCEPTS.

Teachers demonstrate a sound understanding of technology operations and concepts. Teachers:

•         demonstrate introductory knowledge, skills, and understanding of concepts related to technology (as described in the ISTE National Education Technology Standards for Students)
• demonstrate continual growth in technology knowledge and skills to stay abreast of current and emerging technologies.

2        PLANNING AND DESIGNING LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS AND EXPERIENCES

Teachers plan and design effective learning environments and experiences supported by technology. Teachers:

•  design developmentally appropriate learning opportunities that apply technology-enhanced instructional strategies to support the diverse needs of learners.
• apply current research on teaching and learning with technology when planning learning environments and experiences
• identify and locate technology resources and evaluate them for accuracy and suitability.
• plan for the management of technology resources within the context of learning activities.
• plan strategies to manage student learning in a technology-enhanced environment

3        TEACHING, LEARNING, AND THE CURRICULUM.

Teachers implement curriculum plans that include methods and strategies for applying technology to maximize student learning. Teachers:

• facilitate technology-enhanced experiences that address content standards and student technology standards.
• use technology to support learner-centered strategies that address the diverse needs of students.
• apply technology to develop students' higher order skills and creativity.
• manage student learning activities in a technology-enhanced environment.

4        ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION.

Teachers apply technology to facilitate a variety of effective assessment and evaluation strategies. Teachers:

• apply technology in assessing student learning of subject matter using a variety of assessment techniques.
• use technology resources to collect and analyze data, interpret results, and communicate findings to improve instructional practice and maximize student learning.
• apply multiple methods of evaluation to determine students' appropriate use of technology resources for learning, communication, and productivity.

5        PRODUCTIVITY AND PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE.

Teachers use technology to enhance their productivity and professional practice. Teachers:

• use technology resources to engage in ongoing professional development and lifelong learning.
• continually evaluate and reflect on professional practice to make informed decisions regarding the use of technology in support of student learning.
• apply technology to increase productivity.
• use technology to communicate and collaborate with peers, parents, and the larger community in order to nurture student learning.

6        SOCIAL, ETHICAL, LEGAL, AND HUMAN ISSUES.

Teachers understand the social, ethical, legal, and human issues surrounding the use of technology in PK-12 schools and apply those principles in practice. Teachers:

• model and teach legal and ethical practice related to technology use.
• apply technology resources to enable and empower learners with diverse backgrounds, characteristics, and abilities.
• identify and use technology resources that affirm diversity
• promote safe and healthy use of technology resources.
• facilitate equitable access to technology resources for all students. 
   

Candidates will be assessed on these standards at the completion of this class using the attached rubrics.

In addition, candidates will be assessed on the following outcomes:

1.  The student will use features of Microsoft Word to create a custom publication that focuses on a content area for use in a classroom which could be sent home to parents or distributed to the rest of the school and that address the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards.  (NJPST 1.7, 49, 4.10, 4.12, 8.4-8) (NETS Standard 1, 2, 3, 5, 6)

2.  The student will use features of Microsoft Publisher to create a custom publication (newsletter or brochure) that focuses on a content area for use in a classroom which could be sent home to parents or distributed to the rest of the school and that address the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards.  (NJPST 1.7, 49, 4.10, 4.12, 8.4-8) (NETS Standard 1, 2, 3, 5, 6)

3.  The student will use Microsoft Excel to develop and maintain data collection files (class roster information, grades, and attendance roster) and generate graphs to analyze data. (NJPST 5) (NETS Standard 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)

4.  The student will use Microsoft Word and Excel to create a mail merged document which could be sent home to the parents.  (NJPST 1.7, 49, 4.10, 4.12, 8.4-8) (NETS Standard 1, 2, 3, 5, 6)

5.  The student will use Microsoft Word or Excel to create a directory of hyperlinked educational websites including electronic research sources and sites that can be used in the classroom or for a research paper. (NJPST 1.7, 1.8, 1.9) (NETS Standard 1, 2, 3, 5, 6)

6.  The student will develop a multimedia presentation using Microsoft PowerPoint which will enhance a lesson to be taught in one content area in the classroom. (NJPST 1, 2, 3, 4) (NETS Standard 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)

7. The student will synthesize the research in an area of interest in how technology is impacting the field of education or a specific content area. (NJPST 1, 2, 3, 4) (NETS 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

8.  The student will create an electronic portfolio using EdFolio in which all components required by the  of  for future assessment are developed and ready to use. (NJPST 5) (NETS Standard 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

9.  The student will continue to develop a philosophy of education that incorporates the integration of instructional technology as an integral component of the educational process and addresses ethical and social issues related to the use of technology. (NJPST 10) (NETS Standard #6)

Your total number of points will be converted into the following grade

100-95:  A                                           85-83:  B

94-90:    A-                                         82-80   B-

89-86:    B+                                        79-75   C

STANDARDS FOR WRITTEN WORK

  PLEASE TYPE YOUR WORK.

• All work submitted should be neat and well written.  PLEASE PROOFREAD carefully; correct your errors and then proofread it again.  Any errors will be reflected in your grade
•  Each assignment should include the following information on a separate introductory page:   NAME      DATE      COURSE NAME AND NUMBER   TITLE OF REPORT
• All assignments should be in on time. Late submissions will be reflected in your grade.

STANDARDS FOR ALL VISUAL PROJECTS

• All work submitted will promote visual literacy. Visual elements are an integral part of the communication process and convey information while being aesthetically pleasing. Visual elements should not be decorative additions.        Some of the criteria you should attend to in selecting visual elements are:
• Does it have a center of interest?
• Is the color scheme pleasing and easy to read?
• How is the quality of the image?
• Is the image the correct scale and proportionality in terms of the newsletter?
• Does the element support the text and contribute to the overall message you are trying to convey?
• Is the element well-placed within the newsletter?  Is it distracting?

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Students are required to attend all classes.  However, two absences for legitimate and approved reasons will not affect your grade.  Additional absences will result in a lowering of the grade.  If there are three (3) absences the grade will be lowered 1/2 a grade. Four (4) absences and the grade will be lowered one full grade.  Extenuating circumstances such as serious illness, death in the family, and other contingencies may be excused based upon the instructor's decision.