David E. Goldschmidt, Ph.D.

course syllabus

Homeworks

Homework assignments are to be completed and submitted individually. Any questions, please let me know. Email final documents to me as attachments.

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(DUE: Monday 7/6) For your first homework, you'll take inventory of your own computer. If you don't own a computer, then use one on campus or at work for this assignment. Watch the Hardware/Software and Computer Networking Mediasite lectures, then answer the following questions by creating a nicely formatted Microsoft Word document.
1. What kind of computer do you own/use?
2. List all of the hardware components you have.
3. How much memory does your computer have?
4. How much hard drive disk space does your computer have?
5. What does hardware do without software?
6. How do you connect your computer to the Internet?
7. Which Web browser(s) do you use?
8. Describe an example of a hierarchical network. What is the root node? What are the leaf nodes?
9. Other than the Internet, describe an example of a heterarchical network. Why is there no single point of failure?
10. Find an image on the Web of either a hierarchical or heterarchical network and paste this image into your Word document.
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(DUE: Monday 7/13) For the Excel homework, you'll create a few classroom-related worksheets in Excel 2007. Details follow:
1. Create a new Excel document with exactly two worksheets: Attendance and Grades.
2. Use the data and formats in the PDF examples attendance and grades to format your Excel worksheets; make sure they appear exactly as shown in the PDF files.
3. To create the checkmarks and other symbols in the attendance sheet, try to insert a symbol using the new interface, then choose a Wingding or Dingbat font.
4. Create formulas for the average and final grade columns.
5. Use conditional formatting to show grades under 60 using bold italic red font.
6. Next, sort the data by last name/first name.
7. Add your name and the due date to the header of each page.
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(DUE: Monday 7/27) Create a three-page Web site for a fictional class or school. Details follow:
1. Start by picking a grade level, then create a Web design mockup in Word or PowerPoint.
2. The three pages of your Web site should contain a "welcome" message, curriculum information, a school calendar with events, and contact information.
3. Use at least one image on each page.
4. Your pages should be linked to one another using a set of common navigational links.
5. Your pages should link to at least four other relevant Web sites.
6. Be sure your page is aesthetically pleasing and links are consistent.
7. Publish your Web site (more details to come) and email me the URL.
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(DUE: Monday 8/3) After watching the full 7-part program FRONTLINE: Growing up Online, answer the following questions in a polished and proofread Word document:
1. [1 paragraph] How much time do you spend online (e.g. per day, per week)? What are the top three things you do online? Is this normal?
2. [2-3 paragraphs] In reference to the FRONTLINE video, what challenges do you think you'll face as a teacher instructing students of the digital generation? Do you already feel left behind in terms of technology in the classroom?
3. [2-3 paragraphs] Again in reference to the FRONTLINE video, what roles do you feel teachers should play in monitoring student activities online? What about the role parents should play?

Team Projects

Researching and Presenting a Team-Based Project on K-12 Education and Technology

As a team of teachers, select a classroom issue to research and present to your colleagues.

Your research includes selecting primary sources, interviewing people (in person or via email/phone), writing an MLA-formatted research paper, and creating (and presenting) a multimedia presentation.

Milestones

• DUE 7/3: One-page proposal (using Word) that includes a description of your topic, questions you expect to answer, potential interview candidates, etc.
• DUE 7/10: KWL Chart with KNOW and WANT TO KNOW columns filled in for your topic. Further, MLA Works Cited page listing all (at least 8) primary sources, secondary sources, Web sites, (planned) personal interviews, etc.
• DUE 7/24: Multimedia presentation using Microsoft PowerPoint. Each team member must take part in the presentation. Total presentation time is typically 15-20 minutes. Presentation Rubric (PDF)
• DUE 8/5: MLA-formatted paper (6-8 pages) presenting your topic. Go to the Writing Center for assistance (and MLA help).

Research Topics

1. Address the question of whether computers will eliminate textbooks in the future. How does technology benefit K-12 education in this case? What other forms of media can be used instead? What are the drawbacks of eliminating textbooks?
2. Describe the use of assistive technologies to enhance the learning experience for K-12 students with disabilities and special needs.
3. Outline the pros and cons of online distance learning for K-12 students and teachers. How can software systems such as BlackBoard be successfully applied to K-12 education?
4. Investigate cyber-bullying in K-12 schools today. How does the computer and the Web add to the problems of bullying? How can technology alleviate such problems?
5. Compare the use of Apple computers with Windows-based computers in the K-12 classroom, stating pros and cons to each type of system.
6. Other topics? Feel free to suggest your own.

Working in Teams

Working in teams can be difficult, but with the dozens of ways to communicate these days (e.g. email, chat, txt, phone), you have every opportunity to collaborate successfully. All of us realize team members are busy with work, school, life, etc., but you have all committed to taking this course and therefore working in teams.

Below are some tips to keep your teams in synch and on track:

1. Set at least two meeting times per week. Attend every meeting, whether online or in person. A lack of team participation is a lack of commitment and professionalism.
2. At the beginning of each meeting, define the agenda and what's to be accomplished during the meeting.
3. Take notes during each meeting (or save the text of your chat sessions). These meeting minutes are invaluable resources for remembering what everyone's responsible for.
4. At the end of each meeting, summarize what was covered, who's doing what, and when the next meeting is.
5. Check your email frequently. When sending emails, always CC each and every team member. This keeps all team members in the loop.
6. Respond to emails and other inquiries from your teammates. Nothing's more frustrating than sending out email and not getting any responses from your team members.
7. Meet and get organized well in advance of deadlines. Do you fair share of the team work. If you're falling behind, notify your team members immediately (and also notify me if you'd like to request an extension).

Course Notes & Video

Hardware/Software

• Hardware/Software Lecture Notes
• Mediasite video: Part I | Part II

Computer Networking

• Computer Networking Lecture Notes
• Mediasite video: Part I | Part II | Part III

Educational Software

• Educational Software Lecture Notes
• Mediasite video: Part I

Curriculum

• Curriculum and Technology Lecture Notes
• Mediasite video: Part I | Part II

Excel

• Microsoft Office 2007 Fluent Interface Demo (in particular, Chapter 3)
• Excel 2007 Demo

Computer Security and Web Design

• Computer Security Lecture Notes
• Mediasite video: Part I | Part II | Part III | Part IV | Part V | Part VI
• HTML and CSS Reference

On Presenting

• Presentation Lecture Notes
• Mediasite video: Part I
• Presentation Rubric (PDF)

Schedule

Schedule subject to change.