Course Work

Course work consists of assignments in which you apply what you have learned about technology, online discussions based on the readings, and a final paper.

Assignments (60% of grade). Throughout the semester you will be asked to implement some of the computing skills you are learning, and think about ways you could use some of the technology you've seen in your own classroom. You will often have some time to work on these assignments in class. In some cases, you will be given some choice in the shape of the assignments so that the course can be adjusted to your needs and interests. Some assignments are fairly simple and will be due at the end of the lab period. Others are more complex, and will require significant time outside of class to be completed.

Reading Responses (20% of grade). Readings from the assigned text and selected articles will help you think about the issues surrounding the integration of technology into classroom activity. A reading guide is provided to focus your response to the readings, and to prepare you for class discussion. The class discussions take place online in over the week. Reading responses will be occur approximately every two weeks.

Position Paper (20% of grade). Another objective of the course is to introduce you to some of the social, cultural and instructional issues surrounding the use of technology in K-12 education. There is a great deal of informed disagreement and controversy surrounding the use of computing and communications technologies in schools. The position paper is your opportunity to dig into an issue that has particular interest for you, and refine your own position on it. The final paper is due on the last day of class.

Grading

Grading in this course is done on a simple point system. The assignments, reading responses and the position paper total to 100 points, as follows.

The scale for conversion to letter grades is as follows:

98 or more A+
91-97 A
88-90 A-
85-87 B+
80-84 B
77-79 B-
74-76 C+
69-73 C
60-68 C-
50-59 D
Below 50 F

Grades will be posted online as the semester progresses. You can check your individual grades via WebCT.

Assignment Submissions and Late Policy

All online submissions of assignments and the position paper are due by midnight prior to the day of class (i.e. Wednesdays before midnight), unless prior arrangements are made. If you are late in submitting an assignment or the position paper, marks will be deducted from what you earn at a rate of 10% PER DAY (any time after a midnight deadline counts as a day).

For online asynchronous conferencing discussions (Reading Responses), the timeliness of your postings will be considered in your mark for that week.