Course Syllabus
Instructor Information
Course Information
Description
Instructional (sometimes called educational) technology is becoming an increasingly important part of K-12 education. New and emerging technologies are what your students will be using to learn and complete homework, and it will be what they will use to succeed as professionals in the workforce. It can also be how you enhance learning, improve motivation and engagement, increase accessibility, individualize instruction, and improve communication with parents and stakeholders. In this course, we will learn ideas and skills for integrating technology effectively into your teaching. Specifically, I hope that by the end of the semester, you will be able to:
- Understand how technologies can enhance your teaching, professional work and communication, and personal professional development.
- Design technology-enhanced activities and resources.
- Identify resources to assist you in learning how to integrate technologies in the future.
- Be motivated and confident in your abilities to learn how to use new technologies in your teaching.
ISTE Technology Standards
My goals for this course and inspiration for the activities are based in part on the National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers from the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). These are the technology standards most often cited for teachers. A short description of the standards can be downloaded from ISTE. There are also technology standards for your students.
Course Policies
Course policies and assignments are subject to change as we move through the course because, like technologies, technology-enhanced instruction is constantly evolving! I will always give adequate notice of any changes to the policies or calendar.
Required Equipment
You need access to high-speed Internet and a webcam so you can participate in the online portions of the class. If you do not have this at home, then you need to schedule time to use a computer lab—the one in the MCKB is excellent and they have headsets available for you to participate in online video discussions. Other equipment (i.e. cameras, tablets, etc.) are available in the TEC lab in the McKay lab as well.
Important Websites
The assignments, rubrics, and information on acquiring technology badges is at https://badgr.io/public/issuers/Tmr2OQtjQz2CpiCFRq6a_g
Prerequisites
The 276 course for your major (e.g. ScEd 276r for science education) is a PREREQUISITE for this course. In particular, the Technology Skills Assessment that you complete as part of 276 is a PREREQUISITE for our course. Here is the website for the TSA: http://education.byu.edu/technology/tsa.html
Because of the blended (i.e., partially-online) nature of this course, you must be able to:
- have regular access to high-speed Internet and a webcam
- be able to teach yourself new technologies from tutorials
- be able to self-regulate your learning and stay on task by yourself.
Participation Policy
We expect you to participate in this class by reading the material, viewing the presentations, and making thoughtful and reflective contributions to the discussions with something more than a "drive-by posting" (e.g. "thanks!" or "good idea" or "me too"). You can work ahead of schedule if you wish—completing all of the assignments the first week if you want to!—but you still need to participate in the discussions during the time set aside for each discussion. Because of the time-sensitive nature of online discussions, discussion points cannot be made up.
Grading Policies
You must complete all major assignments to get a passing grade. You must honestly complete all the work yourself, but you may share ideas with each other.
Late & Makeup Work
Due dates for assignments are listed on the calendar. A minimum 10% late penalty will be assessed for work submitted after the assignment deadline unless I have previously approved a later deadline due to extenuating circumstances. No late work is accepted after the final reading day of the regular semester, before final exams begin.
Assignments on which you received at least 70% credit can be resubmitted until you achieve the grade you desire IF YOU HAVE TURNED IN THE ASSIGNMENT ON TIME. You also have TWO WEEKS from the time you receive feedback from me to turn in this revised work. I allow revision of your work because this is the way we learn new technologies: We keep trying and retrying! Assignments on which you received less than 70% credit can be resubmitted until you achieve the grade you desire with a 20% penalty IF YOU HAVE TURNED IN THE ASSIGNMENT ON TIME.
Study Habits
In this class, it is very easy to fall behind, particularly if you are unfamiliar with new technologies. Because of this, I have structured all of the major assignments so there is usually part of the assignment due each week, so that it stays manageable. Your responsibility is to know what is due each week. It is best to be in the habit of checking in with the class each week, and expecting that something is due each week.
One of my goals for the class is that you learn how to learn new technologies—because there will always be new technologies to learn! Here are some strategies to help you when learning something new in class:
- First, check the module in Canvas that I have created for each assignment. I try to explain the assignment thoroughly and answer questions that I have been asked in the past. We have also created rubrics and tutorials for you on most of the technologies being taught at https://badgeschool.wordpress.com/
- If our tutorials and materials do not help, you can look for more tutorials on Google and Youtube. I can usually find tutorials for almost any technology I want to learn there.
- Members of the online class are welcome to attend any of the face to face sections any week that you wish to receive hands-on help. For a listing of the course meeting times, see BYU's course catalogue. All sections of the course run on the same schedule so that students can receive help on assignments.
- If none of these things helps you, you are welcome to email me to set up a 1-on-1 appointment. I usually respond to email within 24 hours except on the weekends and when I am out of town.
Course Schedule
There is an assignments summary at the bottom of this page, but the calendar on Canvas is the best place to see our schedule.
Grading scale
| A | 94-100 | B- | 82-84 | D+ | 67-69 |
| A- | 90-93 | C+ | 77-81 | D | 63-66 |
| B+ | 88-89 | C | 74-76 | D- | 60-62 |
| B | 85-87 | C- | 70-73 | E | 59 and lower |
Learning Outcomes
Technology Instruction: Students will design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning experiences and assessment incorporating contemporary tools and resources to maximize content learning in context and to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes identified in the NETS•S.
Library Information
Librarian Information
Name: Rachel Wadham
Office: 1223 HBLL
Phone Number: 422-6780
Email: rachel_wadham@byu.edu
Reference Desk Information
Name: Social Sciences / Education
Phone Number: 422-6228
Email: No library information available
Hours: M-Th : 8am-9pm; F: 8am-6pm; Sat: 10am-6pm
Department Research Information
http://guides.lib.byu.edu/content.php?pid=38325
E-reserve Information
http://www.lib.byu.edu/reserve.html
University Policies
BYU Honor Code
In keeping with the principles of the BYU Honor Code, students are expected to be honest in all of their academic work. Academic honesty means, most fundamentally, that any work you present as your own must in fact be your own work and not that of another. Violations of this principle may result in a failing grade in the course and additional disciplinary action by the university. Students are also expected to adhere to the Dress and Grooming Standards. Adherence demonstrates respect for yourself and others and ensures an effective learning and working environment. It is the university's expectation, and my own expectation in class, that each student will abide by all Honor Code standards. Please call the Honor Code Office at 422-2847 if you have questions about those standards.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
The materials used in connection with this online course are only for the use of students enrolled in this course for purposes associated with this course and may not be retained or further disseminated. Any copying or further dissemination of these materials may be subject to applicable U.S. Copyright Laws. For questions or more information, please visit the BYU Copyright Licensing Office website.
“Members of the BYU community who willfully disregard this Copyright Policy or the BYU Copyright Guidelines place themselves individually at risk of legal action and may incur personal liability for their conduct. The unauthorized use or distribution of copyrighted material, including unauthorized peer-to-peer file sharing, may subject individuals to civil and criminal liabilities, including actual and statutory damages, costs and fees of litigation, fines, and imprisonment…
Violations of the Copyright Policy may result in university disciplinary action including termination of university enrollment or employment.” (Emphasis added. Excerpt taken from the BYU Copyright Policy)
University Policy - Title IX Statement
Preventing & Responding to Sexual Misconduct
In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Brigham Young University prohibits unlawful sex discrimination against any participant in its education programs or activities. The university also prohibits sexual harassment—including sexual violence—committed by or against students, university employees, and visitors to campus. As outlined in university policy, sexual harassment, dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking are considered forms of "Sexual Misconduct" prohibited by the university.
University policy requires all university employees in a teaching, managerial, or supervisory role to report all incidents of Sexual Misconduct that come to their attention in any way, including but not limited to face-to-face conversations, a written class assignment or paper, class discussion, email, text, or social media post. Incidents of Sexual Misconduct should be reported to the Title IX Coordinator at t9coordinator@byu.edu or (801) 422-8692. Reports may also be submitted through EthicsPoint at https://titleix.byu.edu/report or 1-888-238-1062 (24-hours a day).
BYU offers confidential resources for those affected by Sexual Misconduct, including the university’s Victim Advocate, as well as a number of non-confidential resources and services that may be helpful. Additional information about Title IX, the university’s Sexual Misconduct Policy, reporting requirements, and resources can be found at http://titleix.byu.edu or by contacting the university’s Title IX Coordinator.
Accessibility Notice
BYU is committed to providing a working and learning atmosphere which reasonably accommodates persons with disabilities who are otherwise qualified to participate in BYU's programs and activities. In this spirit, BYU Independent Study aspires to improve web accessibility for users. While not required by law, the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 Levels A and AA provide a wide range of helpful recommendations to make Web content more accessible. BYU Independent Study strives to apply WCAG 2.0 recommendations where feasible, but may deviate from any recommendations that would result in an undue hardship to BYU Independent Study or alterations to program and course content and objectives. If you have questions about accessibility, or if you need to report problems with any accessibility features please see our Accessibilities and Accommodations Web Page.
Academic Honesty Policy
The first injunction of the BYU Honor Code is the call to be honest. Students come to the university not only to improve their minds, gain knowledge, and develop skills that will assist them in their life's work, but also to build character. President David O. McKay taught that 'character is the highest aim of education' (The Aims of a BYU Education, p. 6). It is the purpose of the BYU Academic Honesty Policy to assist in fulfilling that aim. BYU students should seek to be totally honest in their dealings with others. They should complete their own work and be evaluated based upon that work. They should avoid academic dishonesty and misconduct in all its forms, including but not limited to plagiarism, fabrication or falsification, cheating, and other academic misconduct.
Plagiarism Policy
Writing submitted for credit at BYU must consist of the student's own ideas presented in sentences and paragraphs of his or her own construction. The work of other writers or speakers may be included when appropriate (as in a research paper or book review), but such material must support the student's own work (not substitute for it) and must be clearly identified by appropriate introduction and punctuation and by footnoting or other standard referencing.
Respectful Environment Policy
"Sadly, from time to time, we do hear reports of those who are at best insensitive and at worst insulting in their comments to and about others... We hear derogatory and sometimes even defamatory comments about those with different political, athletic, or ethnic views or experiences. Such behavior is completely out of place at BYU, and I enlist the aid of all to monitor carefully and, if necessary, correct any such that might occur here, however inadvertent or unintentional."
"I worry particularly about demeaning comments made about the career or major choices of women or men either directly or about members of the BYU community generally. We must remember that personal agency is a fundamental principle and that none of us has the right or option to criticize the lawful choices of another." President Cecil O. Samuelson, Annual University Conference, August 24, 2010
"Occasionally, we ... hear reports that our female faculty feel disrespected, especially by students, for choosing to work at BYU, even though each one has been approved by the BYU Board of Trustees. Brothers and sisters, these things ought not to be. Not here. Not at a university that shares a constitution with the School of the Prophets." Vice President John S. Tanner, Annual University Conference, August 24, 2010
Devotional and Forum Attendance Policy
Brigham Young University's devotional and forum assemblies are an important part of your BYU experience. As Elder Dallin H. Oaks stated, 'You neglect your education and fail to use a unique resource of this university if you miss a single one' (from the address 'Challenges for the Year Ahead', 6 September, 1973). Your attendance at each forum and devotional is strongly encouraged.
Educator Preparation Program Outcomes
This course is part of your preparation for licensure in a major or minor that is part of the BYU Educator Preparation Program (EPP). This course will help you fulfill the EPP Outcomes (see link below) required for accreditation. Advisors in Education Student Services (460 MCKB / 801.422.3426) can answer questions you have about the licensure requirements (http://education.byu.edu/ess/licensing.html (Links to an external site.)) for your teaching major or minor.
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
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