Spring 2021 - EDUC 482 D100
Designs for Learning: Information Technology (4)
Class Number: 6868
Delivery Method: Remote
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Jan 11 – Apr 16, 2021: Wed, 1:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
Laura D'Amico
ldamico@sfu.ca
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Prerequisites:
60 units.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
Students will develop a critical understanding of information technologies in education and learn how to integrate these technologies into classroom settings. An emphasis is on teaching strategies and methods as they complement the guidelines set forth in the BC Information Technology Curriculum.
COURSE DETAILS:
To adhere to current social distancing needs, EDUC 482 has been redesigned for remote teaching for Spring 2021, instead of its typical face-to-face format.
This course offers an introduction to the meaningful use of information technology in K-12 schools, pursuing the question: How and when should teachers integrate technology into classrooms to purposefully and meaningfully support student learning? Readings and assignments will balance two principal goals: the development of technical skills and competencies, and the development of students’ awareness of persistent issues surrounding the use of computing technology in schools. Topics covered include:
- Why bother using information technology to support teaching and learning?
- Information literacy
- Technology and assessment
- Representing student thinking with technology
- Equity and technology
- Simulations and games
- Protecting online privacy
- Online, remote and blended teaching
- Kids coding
- Cell phones in the classroom
Weekly activity structure
For most weeks there are:
- Weekly recorded mini-lectures, readings and sometimes multi-media materials to review
- A reading quiz associated with the assigned materials (untimed, can be taken twice)
- Online discussion about the assigned materials
- An assignment in which students either apply learning from the assigned materials to the design and evaluation of technology integration into learning experiences OR make progress on your lesson plan project. A subset of assignments may be revised.
Semester-long lesson plan project
Throughout the semester, students will work on a detailed lesson plan that makes meaningful use of information technology in relation to a topic or learning objective of interest to them from the K-12 curriculum in British Columbia.
Final essay
Students will submit a culminating essay that explores two issues explored in the course and their changing understanding about them, using evidence from their coursework to demonstrate their learning.
Optional live course attendance via video conferencing during scheduled class time
COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:
At the completion of the course, successful students will:
- Be aware of persistent issues that surround the use of information technologies in schools
- Demonstrate familiarity with information technologies or classes of information technology that can be used in classrooms, and understand their potential and limitations for supporting student learning
- Demonstrate capacity to design lesson plans and learning activities that make meaningful use of information technology
- Demonstrate capacity to engage in meaningful, collegial exchanges with classmates to support their own and their classmates' learning
Grading
- Weekly reading quizzes 10%
- Online discussion 15%
- Homework assignments 20%
- Lesson plan project 25%
- Peer review of your classmates' lesson plan work 10%
- Final essay 20%
Materials
MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:
Students should have access to a desktop, laptop or tablet computer and a fast enough internet connection to download and upload course files, assignments and assessments on Canvas. Some of these files may include video, but nothing larger a Hollywood quality half-hour TV-show.
REQUIRED READING:
All course readings and multimedia materials will all be supplied through Canvas.
Registrar Notes:
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS
SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.
Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html
TEACHING AT SFU IN SPRING 2021
Teaching at SFU in spring 2021 will be conducted primarily through remote methods. There will be in-person course components in a few exceptional cases where this is fundamental to the educational goals of the course. Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.
Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).