CECS 4100.006 and CECS 4100.007 Computers in the Classroom Course Information University of North Texas Spring 2004 CECS 4100.006 meets Tuesday and Thursday mornings in Matthews Hall 308 from 11:00a.m. to 12:20a.m. CECS 4100.007 meets Tuesday and Thursday mornings in Matthews Hall 308 from 9:30a.m. to 10:50a.m.

The objectives for this course include the opportunity for students to analyze computer uses in education, including simple applications programming in LOGO (MicroWorlds).  In addition, students should gain knowledge in the selection of educational software, feel comfortable modeling an educational presentation system, and understand the integration of technology into the classroom and the use of other electronic sources for educational classroom resources. Students will develop a unit portfolio on a chosen topic that integrates technology.

This semester, we are incorporating the Intel Teach to the Future Preservice program. We are pleased to have received this opportunity and feel it will enhance the course.

• How are Computers Used in the Classroom?
• Technology Integration in the Classroom
• Creating a Unit Plan Which Integrates Technology
• Computer Ethics and Equity
• Technology and Diverse Needs of Learners
• Educational Software: How Should We Evaluate It?
• Telecommunications and the Internet in the Classroom
• Searching for Educational Resources
• Copyright Laws and Educational Technology
• Technology Applications (TA) Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)
• National Standards for Teacher Competencies
• National Standards for Student Competencies
• MicroWorlds
  

CECS 1100 (may be taken concurrently with consent of department). It is possible that you may have acquired the required skills through other means. If you have not taken this course, it is your responsibility to make sure you learn the prerequisite skills.

• Attendance and punctuality are professional behaviors expected of educators. Educational technology is not "doing computer projects"--it is much more. Hence, you need to be here for class discussions and learning activities.
• Anyone who misses the first two classes and does not contact the instructor will be administratively dropped from the course.
• Although attendance at the remaining classes will not be taken, in-class activities will be given at random and will count for a significant part of your grade. You will not be allowed to make them up.
• Having a classroom with technology in front of us is not the norm...yet. So to make our classroom environment more conducive to learning for everyone there are a few suggested behaviors that would be appreciated. Students are expected to observe classroom etiquette and common courtesy to the instructor and fellow classmates.
• Pagers, cell phones, and other electronic devices should be silenced during class. If you receive an emergency communication, please excuse yourself from the room to take care of it.
• Playing computer games and checking email during class are considered rude during class.
• Surfing the Internet should only happen during class when in-class activities involve the computer.
• While it is not only distracting to the instructor to see your face glowing green from the reflection of solitaire, it may be an annoyance to your classmates. It is my experience that students who are checking their email, making flight arrangements on the Internet, playing solitaire, or finishing their assignment that was due at the beginning of the class miss important information. Please turn off your monitors when class begins until you are instructed to turn them on.
• The printer is very noisy. It is rude behavior to get up during class to walk to the printer. Please do not print anything during class except when we are working on in-cass activities.
  
• Assignments are due before class begins on Thursday. Assignments are to be turned in to the office in Matthews Hall 316. The person at the desk will stamp the assignment with the date and time it was turned in and place it in my mailbox. I will use their date/time stamp as the indicator of whether the assignment is on time or late.
• Readings are to be completed before class on Tuesday so that you may actively participate in discussions and activities during the week related to that chapter.
  
• Exams are on Thursdays. When you complete the exam, you may quietly leave. Please do not use the printer during an exam, unless otherwise instructed.
  
• You are expected to conform to all policies of the University of North Texas and work within the honor code.

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  Requirements/Grading

• You are responsible for the chapter assignments, even if they are not covered in lecture
• Workload for CECS 4100: Expect to spend 2-3 hours outside of class for each hour spent in class. In other words, you should expect to spend 6-9 hours each week outside of class reading, completing assignments, and working on the computer in addition to the 3 hours you are in class.
• There will be 3 exams, 7 major assignments and several in-class exercises.

--Your lowest exam grade will be dropped.
--Any in-class exercises are to be turned in on the day they are assigned or no credit will be given.
--These requirements will be weighted as follows:


Requirements	Percentage of Final Grade
Exams	20%
Unit Plan - (1st Review 5%, 2nd Review 5%)	10%
Finding Resources for Classroom Teachers	5%
Team Presentation of Technology Integration in a Subject Area	10%
Student Sample Publication - newsletter or brochure	10%
Website Supporting Your Unit	10%
Final Unit Portfolio	10%
MicroWorlds Project	15%
In Class Activities/  Class Participation	10%

Important: Late assignments will receive a maximum grade of 75%. Late assignments are those that are turned in after the beginning of class on the day in which they are due. However, turning in a late assignment is much better than not turning in one at all.


• Grades will be calculated by the following scale:

 A = 89.5% or more
 B = 79.5% to 89.4%
 C = 69.5% to 79.4%
 D = 59.5% to 69.4%
 F = Below 59.5%



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Textbook: Integrating Educational Technology into Teaching (3rd Ed.), by M. D. Roblyer, J. Edwards, & M. A. Havriluk, Prentice Hall.
6 high-density, double-sided computer diskettes (floppy disks) - bring at least two with you every week
A way to store any projects or assignments that are too large to fit on a floppy diskette. Suggestion: USB Flash Drive - this will be used when we get to the MicroWorlds Project. It also provides a good way to backup your floppy diskettes.
You will also be provided with the Intel Teach to the Future book and CD ROM

Resource Book: Learning MicroWorlds Pro by Tom Lough (Available at the copy center at Kendall Hall)
Resource Book: MicroWorlds Pro: Tips and Tricks by Gary Stager (Available at the copy center at Kendall Hall)
Software: MicroWorlds Pro software is available at a discounted price in the bookstore (and online at efollett.com). If you want a copy for your home computer for any reason, this is monetarily a good deal. If you have adequate access to Matthews Hall 307 and 309 (the only places on campus with MicroWorlds Pro software), you don't need this.

EEO/ADA:  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.  Please see me outside of class to make any arrangements involving special accommodations.

Cheating:  Plagiarism and cheating are serious offenses which may be punished by any of the following:
 1. failure on the exam, project or paper
 2. failure in the course, or
 3. expulsion from the University of North Texas

For more information on EEO/ADA or academic dishonesty, please refer to your current Undergraduate Catalog.