CECS 5610

Analysis of Research in Educational Technology 

Spring 2003

Syllabus

Instructor: 


Texts:

  • Campbell and Stanley. Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Designs for Research (Houghton Mifflin, 1962). ISBN: 0395307872 
  • McMillin & Wergin. Understanding & Evaluating Educational Research (Merrill, 1998). ISBN: 0130271675


Meeting Information:

    Matthews Hall - 308
    Saturday, January 18, 9-1 pm
    Friday, February 7, 9-3 pm (Ed. Research Exchange) OR Saturday, February 8, 9-1 pm
    Saturday, March 8, 9-1 pm
    Saturday May 3, 9-1 pm
References:

Software:

    Internet browser (like Netscape or Internet Explorer) with real player plug-in for those who do not plan to attend class lectures.

Course Description:

    Interpretation, analysis and synthesis of current research in educational technology for the purpose of integrating research methodology and application to educational environments. 

    This course has five objectives:

    1. The student will prepare a summary of experimental research and present the summary in class.
    2. The student will write a critique of an experimental research study.
    3. The student will classify various experimental and statistical variables, and types of experimental designs.

    4. The student will produce a research design document and present the design to the class.
Supplementary materials for this course are from Dr. Gerald Knezek and Dr. Jon Young.

Class Activities:

    Class activities will involve discussion of research on specific instructional/technological principles specifically focused on the weaknesses in design, as well as procedures and analysis. Class memebers will be expected to suggest modifications to the designs or suggest additional investigations substantiating or refuting the authors' conclusions. Each class member will be expected to come to class prepared to discuss the studies assigned. 

    Students will review statistical and research concepts at the beginnning of the semester. Subsequently, the instructor will distribute a study or students will locate studies to summarize or critique. 

      1. For each study summarized, each student will prepare a one-page review for distribution to the class. 
      2. For the critique the student is expected to hand out appropriate notes or use visual aides as well. 
      3. Individual presentation of analysis of data and research designs will come during the latter portion of the class.  These should apply concepts and principles conveyed during the earlier portions of the class.

Participant Expectations/Requirements:

  • Access to an Internet browser, an Internet service provider and e-mail will be necessary for those enrolling in this course. A Real Player plug-in is needed and can be downloaded at www.real.com.
  • E-mail access is required as well. 
  • All are expected to participate in discussions in person or via E-mail.
  • There will be three assignments plus one exam.

Grading:

     
    A total of 100 points for the course will be allocated as follows: Letter grades will be the higher grade resulting from the following two standards:
    Written Article Summary 15 points
    Article Critique 15 points
    Written Data Analysis/Design Paper 30 points
    Presentation 8 points
    Attendance/Participation (3 x 4) 12 points

    Exam
    20 points
    Total 100 points

    >=90    		 A
    Top 10%
    A
    >=80<90 B Next 20% B
    >=70<80 C Next 40% C
    >=60<70 D Next 20% D
    <=59 F Last 10% F
     

    Late assignments, projects, or papers will lose 1 point each day they are past due. Any assignments not turned in by the last class meeting will be assigned a grade of zero.

Contact Information:

Instructor: Dr. Gerald Knezek

    Voice-mail is the best method to contact me for urgent matters, since I may not see your email message due to receiving a large volume of email each day.

    Office: Matthews Hall Room 316H

    Office Phone (940) 565-4195

    Fax: (940) 565-2185
    When faxing notify me, so that it is retrieved in a timely fashion. 

    E-Mail: gknezek@tenet.edu

    Office Hours: 
    Half hour before and 1 hour after class; plus as needed during M-F by appointment.

Academic Ethics:
Students are expected to create and edit their own assignments and take tests without outside assistance. This is a programming class and it is acceptable to ask for help from others after you have put forth significant effort to debug written code that is not working correctly and when testing your software. However, asking for help in debugging does not mean you have someone rewrite your code. All work is expected to be your own. Cheating and disciplinary action for cheating is defined by the UNT Policy Manual Code for Student Conduct and Discipline. Cheating is an act of academic dishonesty. It is defined and is to be handled as follows:

"Plagiarism and cheating refer to the use of unauthorized books, notes, or otherwise securing help in a test; copying tests, assignments, reports, or term papers; representing the work of another as one's own; collaborating without authority, with another student during an examination or in preparing academic work; or otherwise practicing scholastic dishonesty."

Although there are other possibilities, you should expect that the penalty that will be assigned for such infractions will include a failing grade in the course and a recommendation that you be denied a degree. You are expected to conform to all policies of the University of North Texas and work within the honor code.

As defined by the United States Copyright Act, it is your responsibility to clearly identify all elements in your work that are not ³original works of authorship.² You are expected to strictly obey the provisions of all laws of the United States and the State of Texas in the completion of all course activities, taking particular notice of the provisions of the United States Copyright Act (Title 17 United States Code). This law provides that you may legally use, within certain limitations, certain copyrighted materials in the context of research and scholarship. Do not confuse your ability to legally copy materials under the ³fair use² provisions of the Copyright Act with the ability to claim that such a copy is an original work of authorship.

For more information on academic dishonesty, please refer to your current student catalog. 

Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance:
The Department of Technology and Cognition complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act in making reasonable accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. This university will adhere to all applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulations and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations as required to afford equal educational opportunity. It is the student's responsibility to contact the faculty member outside of class to make any arrangements involving special accommodations and/or the Department ADA Representatives: Dr. Bertina Hildreth and Dr. Cathie Norris. Their offices are in Matt 316. You may schedule an appointment by call (940) 565-2057. 

EEO/ADA on Discrimination:
The University of North Texas does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability or disabled veteran status in its educational programs, activities, admissions, or employment policies. In addition to complying with federal and state equal opportunity laws and regulations, the university through its diversity policy declares harassment based on individual differences (including sexual orientation) inconsistent with its mission and educational goals. Direct questions or concerns to the equal opportunity office, (940) 565-2456, or the dean of students, (940) 565-2648. TDD access is available through Relay Texas: (800) 735-2989. For more information on EEO/ADA, please refer to your current student catalog.