Syllabus

=WCSU Laptop Initiative Program—Elementary School Teachers=

It’s NOT about the technology
[|Elementary School Syllabus.doc]

Instructor: Rick Dustin-Eichler, RDE@WCSU.net,

Dates: August 20*, 21*, September 17**, October 15**, November 19**, December 17**, January 14**. (*These classes will take place from 9:00 to 3:30, **These classes will run from 3:00 to 6:00)

Learning Outcomes: 1. Each teacher will create a monthly parent newsletter in Microsoft Word, Pixie, and/or Twist. 2. Each teacher will create and use a PowerPoint presentation to enhance classroom instruction. 3. Each teacher will integrate Pixie2 or Twist, Kidspiration 3, and InspireData into a classroom lesson. 4. Each teacher will develop, teach, and evaluate an instructional unit that integrates the WCSU Technology Performance Tasks into one or more subject areas. 5. Each teacher will facilitate a technology workshop at the January in-service on a pre-approved technology integration topic of their choosing. 6. Each teacher will offer a one-hour in school technology training on a pre-approved technology integration topic of their choosing. 7. Each teacher will mentor a colleague that is participating in the next laptop initiative class.

Course Requirements: • Attendance is mandatory. If a class must be missed, please contact Rick Dustin-Eichler as soon as possible and make-up work will be assigned. • Each class member is required to complete each of the course’s learning outcomes. • All of the learning outcomes with the exception of number 7 must be completed by June 2009. Learning outcome number 7 must be completed by June 2010.

If these requirements are not meet, the class member will relinquish control of their laptop to the WCSU.

Course Outline: Wednesday, August 20th, 9:00 to 3:00 Theme: Productivity • Class Overview • What is the relationship between technology education and project-based learning (PBL)? • Introduction to MS Word • Introduction to movie making in the classroom

For next class: Collect video, audio, and music for a movie entitled “What makes a house a home.”

Thursday, August 21st, 9:00 to 3:00 Theme: Collaboration and Productivity • Promoting collaboration with MS Word, Jing, and Google Docs • What is a Wiki? • The ins and outs of iMovie • Generating PBL ideas For next class: • Contribute at least three PBL ideas to the PBL wiki. • Read The Art of Digital Storytelling (Creative Educator, Volume 1, Number 4, Spring 2008). • Install Pixie, Frames, Inspire Data and Kidspiration on your computer.

Wednesday, September 17th, 3:00 to 6:00 Theme: Productivity and Collaboration • Teaching, learning, and collaborating with multi-media tools

For next class: • Create a screen cast that reviews one topic that we covered in class today and post it on the class’s wiki using screencast.com. Your screen cast should be less than 2 minutes. • After you post your screen cast, write a one-sentence caption under it that explains the video’s content. • Write two possible essential questions for at least three different PBL ideas. • Read Teaching Zachary To Think by Alan November (http://novemberlearning.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=39&Itemid=85)

Wednesday, October 15th, 3:00 to 6:00 Theme: Research • Collecting and organize data • Workshop time—Focus on developing your PBL’s learning outcomes • Assessing a PBL unit

For next class: • Create a screen cast that reviews one topic that we covered in class today and post it on the class’s wiki using screencast.com. Your screen cast should be less than 2 minutes. • After you post your screen cast, write a one-sentence caption under it that explains the video’s content. • Develop a final assessment rubric for your PBL and post it on the wiki. • Review and comment on your team members’ rubrics.

Wednesday, November 19th, 3:00 to 6:00 Theme: Research • Using the web as a research tool • Web 2.0 in the classroom • Workshop time—Focus on the question, “Is your PBL primarily focused on the development of universal or specific knowledge?”

For next class: • Create a screen cast that reviews one topic that we covered in class today and post it on the class’s wiki using screencast.com. Your screen cast should be less than 2 minutes. • Develop a unit outline. • Post your outline on the class’s wiki. • Read and comment on your team members’ outlines.

Wednesday, December 17th, 3:00 to 6:00 Theme: Productivity • The many faces of Kidspiration • Workshop time—Focus on scrutinizing the pedagogical appropriateness each technology choice. In addition, think about what part of the unit would be good to teach other teachers about.

For next class: • Create a screen cast that reviews one topic that we covered in class today and post it on the class’s wiki using screencast.com. Your screen cast should be less than 2 minutes. • Develop a short Power Point that you will use to introduce your PBL unit to your class and post it on your wiki using google docs by January 7. Provide feedback to your team members. • Prepare workshop presentation.

Wednesday, January 14th, 3:00 to 6:00 Theme: Productivity • Dry run though of presentations • Fun with computer programming • Wrap-up

Monday, January 19th • Teach workshops at WCSU in-service