CECS 4100

Computers in the Classroom

Course Home Schedule Projects

Course Overview

The impact of techology on educational environments will provide the focus for this course.  A survey of available and appropriate technologies that facilitate classroom instruction will be presented.

Students will utilize appropriate integration strategies in the development of an instructional unit.  Various experiences with hardware and related peripherals, as well as presentation systems will be provided.  Development activities will include the use of various types of software, including instructional and tool applications, as well as multimedia and web-page development utilities.  Students will also have the opportunity to utilize the MicroWorlds programming environment to explore the use of the Logo programming language.

Goals

At the completion of this course, you will be able to:

  1. Identify hardware and software resources that will appropriately support the instructional environment.
  2. Utilize effective integration strategies which uniquely support student learning in an identified content area.
  3. Utilize digital media tools and resources to support the development of effective instruction.
  4. Recognize and apply technology standards in the development of effective instruction.

Instructor

Dr. LeAnn Thomason
E-mail: lthomason@coe.unt.edu
Phone: 940-565-2057
Office: MH 316C
Office Hours:  T1:00-3:00PM TH 1:00-4:00PM

Prerequisites

CECS 1100 (may be taken concurrently with consent of department).
This course is intended to be an introductory instructional computing course for preservice or inservice teachers.  You will need to be familiar with intermediate word processing and fundamental telecommunications skills of using electronic mail and the World Wide Web. Please note that it is your responsibility to make sure that you possess the skills to be successful in CECS 4100.

Required Materials

  1. Textbook - Integrating Educational Technology into Teaching (4th Ed.), by   M. D. Roblyer, Pearson Education.   We will also be utilizing the packaged DVD.
  2. Supplies - 1 USB storage device (recommended)  or 6 high-density, double-sided computer disks which should be brought to every class session.   Please note that disks formatted for PCs work fine with Macintoshes, but the reverse is not true.

Course Websites

http://courseweb.unt.edu

http://prenhall.com/roblyer

Course Policies

You are expected to conform to all policies of the University of North Texas and work within the honor code.

Punctual attendance is an expectation for your success in this course.  Though attendance will not be taken, your participation is also critical to your success in this course.    Participation in the course meetings will prepare you for the course projects as outlined in this syllabus and on the "Projects" link.  Please note that in-class participation counts 15% of your overall grade. Classroom lectures will also prepare you for the mid-term and final exams which account for 20% of your grade.

There are special issues related to conducting a class in a computer lab.  Unless instructed otherwise, please do not turn on the monitor. As a matter of courteousness toward your instructor and your fellow students,  please refrain from the following during class:

  1. Surfing the Internet
  2. Checking email or instant messaging
  3. Playing games
  4. Working on assignments other than the directed activity
  5. Working on other classes' assignments

Please silence cell phones or pagers during class, taking necessary phone calls in the hallway.

Requirements

CECS 4100 is a 3 credit hour course.  As with all college courses, expect to spend 2-3 hours outside of class for each hour spent in class. This will result in 6-9 hours each week devoted to the completion of course readings and projects.  Please note the following:

  1. Assigned projects are tied to the course content and in-class activities.
  2. Points are awarded to each assignment based on adherence to due dates, conformance to identified standards, quality of work,  and technical proficiency.  Project rubrics will be utilized to document point accrual. 
  3. The in-class exercises are to be turned in on the day they are assigned or no credit will be given.
  4. The online quizzes only count if you score 80% or higher.  They must be emailed before you leave class as identified on the course schedule.
  5. Late assignments are those that are turned in after the beginning of class on the day in which they are due. Assignments turned in late will receive only half credit. Assignments turned in more than one week late will not receive credit. 

Assignments

20% - In Class Activities :  This inclues participation, individual assignments, group activities, and online quizzes that occur during the class period.

10% - P1:  Software Integration Lesson Plan

10% - P2:  MicroWorlds Instructional Sequence (Logo programming)

10% - P3:  PowerPoint Presentation

10% - P4:  Multimedia Project

10% - P5:  Webquest

05% - P6:  Instructional Unit Plan

05% - P7:  Electronic Portfolio

10% - Midterm

10% - Final

Grades


Grades will be calculated by the following scale:
 A = 90% or more
 B = 80 to 89.4%
 C = 70 to 79.4%
 D = 60 to 69.4%
 F = Below 60%

Dropping a Course

Please see the UNT Schedule of Classes.  Please Note:   It is the student's responsibility to initiate procedures for dropping a course (either with or without instructor consent) before the provided deadlines.

EEO/ADA Statement

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.

Eagle Mail Account

All students should activate and regularly check their Eagle Mail (e-mail) account. Eagle Mail is used for official communication from the University to students. Many important announcements for the University and College are sent to students via Eagle Mail. For information about Eagle Mail, including how to activate an account and how to have Eagle Mail forwarded to another e-mail address, visit https://eaglemail.unt.edu


I gratefully acknowledge the contributions made by Dr. Rhonda Christensen and Mr. Garry Mayes to the development of this syllabus and resulting course.