Computer Applications in Education

Educational Goals

Topics covered include basic operations and concepts (history of computer use in education, computer hardware and software); social, ethical, and human issues (fair use, copyright, appropriate use of information); technology productivity tools (publishing and data analysis software); technology communication tools (publishing software); technology research tools (search engines, online resources, data analysis software); technology problem-solving and decision-making tools (data analysis and graphics software); and handheld Global Positioning Systems (GPS).

You will have an opportunity to discuss, research and develop instructional strategies and resources that support a technology-enhanced environment.  You will gain the knowledge and confidence to integrate the lessons, activities and information obtained in this class into your own classes.

Student Learning Objectives / Outcomes

The course addresses selection and implementation of educational software packages and utilization of Internet resources in the classroom. It involves the development of computer generated instructional materials for the classroom and other educational settings.  You will gain knowledge in the use of technology, computer hardware and software that will enable you to teach:

  • Basic operations and concepts (history of computer use in education, computer hardware and software)
  • Social, ethical and human issues (fair-use, copyright, appropriate use of information)
  • Technology productivity tools (publishing and data analysis software)
  • Technology communication tools (publishing software)
  • Technology research tools (search engines, online resources, data analysis software)
  • Technology problem-solving and decision-making tools (data analysis and graphics software)

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

  • Use MS office software and HTML to create activities that are diverse and attractive
  • Use the Internet to gather data and then analyze and present it using different types of software
  • Implement technology and multimedia as a learning resource and a means of analysis, publishing and presentation to and by their students
  • Use digital images or video from the Internet or recorded with digital cameras to use in presentations or Web publishing
  • Implement graphing calculators in lesson design for collecting, analyzing and graphing data
  • Transfer information, using computers, to and from a hand held Global Positioning System (GPS)
  • Work on projects where you will learn a new scientific concept along with a new technological tool (hardware, software, media)
  • Participate in field experiences by observing and comparing methods and strategies of technology integration in at least two different classrooms taught by two different teachers.

Assignment Details

Course assignments and evaluation criteria are detailed below:

Internet Scavenger Hunt (50 points)

Select a topic that would be useful for you to use with students.  The assignment requires that students search the Internet for information related to a content area. You must access at least 7 different web sites (provide the URL) and answer two questions based on each web site.  Include a separate answer sheet. Submit this assignment via email as an attachment. (Note: the hyperlinks must display the appropriate web site when clicked)

Global Positioning Systems (GPS) (25 points)

Use the GPS and computer adapter supplied by your instructor. Obtain the coordinates of your home and download the coordinates to your computer.  Using the mapping software supplied by your instructor find the coordinates of a place you would like to visit in the United States and upload the map to your GPS from your computer. Send an electronic copy of the coordinates of your home address that you uploaded to your computer to your instructor.

Web Page Design Activity (90 points)

Create a web page activity that requires students to design a web page (e.g., a web page for book reports/reviews, web page about each student).  As part of this activity create a sample web page for them.  Your web page must include links to other parts of the web page, links to other web sites on the Internet, graphics/images/clip art and an email link.

Using Educational Software in Classroom Learning Environments (50 points)

Complete an in-depth review of a piece of educational software (software which teaches or presents curricular content) that you might use in a learning environment.  Include:

  • A clear description of the software and the system requirements to run the application.
  • A critique of its content, interaction with students (how it approaches teaching/learning), motivational aspects, user friendliness, flexibility in use, appropriateness for the intended audience, etc.
  • A description of how you might incorporate this software into a unit and/or a lesson

Critical Thinking Lesson Plan (60 points)

For a specific lesson, create a plan for a critical thinking activity which uses a computer “tool” application (e.g., database, spreadsheet, paint, or draw program) to help students apply higher level thinking to that content.  Include the Michigan standard(s) that are associated with this lesson.  Do not use a lesson that teaches students how to use the tool; assume you have taught those skills, and now the students are using those tools to learn about history, literature, science, mathematics, etc.  Include the use of technology by you to explain/demonstrate the task to your students.  You will present your lesson in a PowerPoint presentation to the class in 5-8 minutes.

Paper: Teaching with Technology (160 points)
How does my school compare with other schools in the U.S.?

In a 3-5 page paper describe the extent to which technology is used in your school building and defend whether or not your school building is using technology as extensively and efficiently as some of the other schools in the United States.  Also examine the extent to which schools are providing equitable access to technology for both genders of students, various ethnicity, ability and achievement levels. Find information on at least one exemplary and one mediocre school and rate how your school is doing in comparison. Support your position with at least four sources found in the educational literature.

Include a cover page and bibliography page (using APA style). The bibliography should be the last page of the paper.  Place a page number on every page in the upper right margin.  If you quote or paraphrase a source, include an in-text citation (using APA style).  Every source in your bibliography should be cited somewhere in the paper and every in-text citation must be cited in your bibliography.

Project: Unit Plan for Infusing Technology (90 points)

Develop a 2-3 week unit plan for infusing technology into a given unit of instruction.  You do not have to write the entire unit, just the example of the technology-enhanced lessons with an overview of the entire lesson.  Clearly describe the learning goals, the classroom organization, and how you would use the technology in the lessons.

Multimedia Lesson (130 points)

Design and develop a small lesson using multimedia-authoring software that teaches a concept and can be used in place of direct instruction. Your lesson must allow the user to navigate to any part of the lesson and in addition to the content include graphics (e.g., clip art and /or drawings), instructions as to what the user is expected to do, and list of or hyperlinks to any needed materials. All content in the lesson must be presented logically and accurately. You will share your lesson with the class using the computer projector and the appropriate software.

Technology Class Ethics (40 points)

Acceptable Use Policy – Develop an acceptable use policy to explain your expectations regarding technology use in the classroom/computer labs.

Field Experience (110 points)

Observe and compare methods and strategies of technology integration in at least two different classrooms taught by two different teachers. [Plan to spend 3-6 hours for this field experience.]

Report the findings of the observed and compared strategies and methods in a word-processed report using APA style formatting.  The report must describe the methods and strategies, indicate how they might be used to support instruction and learning as reflected in at least two lessons, and identify research and/or practical applications via scholarly literature that discusses the use of such strategies and methods.

Online Participation (195 points)

This course is a hybrid format where students meet with the instructor synchronously for at least twenty-five hours. The instructor will take attendance and monitor the student response log for every online session.  Part of the grade will depend on frequency and quality of participation in the Gradepoint / Blackboard Virtual Chatroom sessions and discussion boards.