IT 3210: Teachers & Technology
Course Syllabus
Note: Syllabus is subject to change!
The goals, content, and organization of this course support the pre-service teacher education programs within the College of Education and the unit theme, Creating Effective Contexts for Learning. It is designed to help prepare future educators as leaders, thinkers, and change agents who are grounded in theory, content, and practice.
This course focuses on the creation of a learning environment through the use of technology. The plan is to anchor the use of technology for the creation of a productive and inviting learning environment. The creation of products for a learning environment will take place through numerous activities involving a variety of technologies. The activities will be anchored in a problem-centered context: problems will be presented for which the various technologies offer potential solutions.
Specific dates for each unit are outlined in the Course TimeLine. Units may be reordered by the instructor during certain semesters/sessions.
Unit 1 Creating Environments for Learning
Unit 5 Emerging Technologies
Unit 6 Selecting and Evaluating Educational Resources
Text: Grabe, M., & Grabe, C. (2000). Integrating technology for meaningful learning (3rd ed.). Boston, MA: Houghton-Mifflin.
Software Help Sheets: Available on Course Web site (print out and review prior to coming to each class)..
Related Web Links: Updated regularly on the Course Web site. These include professional journals and educational resources.
Diskettes: Two 3-1/2 inch 1.4 MB (high density)
Portfolio: 3-ring binder with dividers (1-1/2" - 2") (1 per group)
The following provides more information on course responsibilities and expectations, for you and for the instructors.
Academic Honesty
Georgia State University has a Policy on Academic Honesty. You are expected to read and observe this policy. A copy can be found in the Undergraduate Catalog at the GSU Web site: GSU Policy on Academic Honesty
Assessment/Assignments
All assignments cited in the syllabus must be turned in by the specified due date (see Course TimeLine for Monday/Wednesday, Tuesday/Thursday classes for details). Due to the large number of assignments, to facilitate your timely completion of assignments, late work will not be accepted. All assignments, except Internet-based assignments, must be prepared using a word processor. Specific details related to each assignment will be provided. Special assignments may be added during a regularly scheduled class or via e-mail by the instructor. It is your responsibility to obtain the specifics of any such assignments.
All assignments will be evaluated and returned within a week of being submitted, unless otherwise noted by your instructor. You will also have the opportunity to evaluate the course two times during the semester: at mid-term and at the end. This will enable your instructor to adjust the course as needed to better meet your needs.
IT 3210 is a "hands-on, minds-on" activity-based course; as such, your participation and attendance in class is important, and in fact required. Each member of the class will be expected to attend regularly, participate in class discussions, and work diligently on all in-class as well as outside-of-class work. Class attendance and participation will constitute from 5% to 100% of the final grade.
If the instructor will not be in class for whatever reason (illness, emergency, etc.) you will be notified as quickly and conveniently as possible.
Class Courtesy
As a "hands-on, minds-on" activity-based course, IT 3210 will usually meet in computer classrooms. That means that you will typically have a computer in front of you during class discussions. Out of respect for your class mates and your instructor, it is expected that you will focus your attention and energies toward current class activities (e.g., class discussion). Disrespectful use of lab computers during instructional time will be noted and will result in a grade reduction. Lab time will be made available during the class session so you can work on course projects.
As a courtesy, please turn off (or sound off) all electronic devices during class (e.g., beepers, cell phones).
It is your responsibility to have your Panther/Paw Prints account active and up-to-date before the second class meeting. Class instructors will use e-mail and WebCT to make announcements pertaining to the course. It is your responsibility to check your e-mail on a regular basis (e.g., twice a week) to make sure you keep current with the course and are prepared when you come to class each week.
E-mail is also a good way to get in touch with your instructor with any questions or concerns you may have. Instructors will check their mail on a regular basis. Answers to any messages will usually be returned within 24 hours of the receipt of your message.
1. your full name (or names if group project) and class section number are clearly visible on the paper copy (if applicable) and on your diskette, and
2. the project is printed out (if applicable) and saved in electronic format (double check to make sure the file is actually on the diskette you are turning in).
Class participation will be assessed and evaluated in part, based on the following:
1. Participation 2. Reflection papers 3. Posting Lesson Plans
Total points for participation:
Several items will be used to assess your performance
in the course. The item, along with possible points, is outlined below:
| Evaluation Item | Possible Points* (out of 93 total) |
| Unit Work Samples | 41 |
| Learning Environment Portfolio and Presentation of LEP | 35 |
| Participation and Attendance* | 17 |
*Note: See Attendance and Participation information above.
Grading Scale
| Grade | Range |
| A | 84-93 |
| B | 74-83 |
| C | 65-73 |
| D | 56-64 |
| F | 0-55 |
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