Course Syllabus

EDTC 5410                                                                   Mary Beckmann___ /_beckmann@webster.edu

COURSE NUMBER AND SECTION                       INSTRUCTOR                              E-MAIL ADDRESS

 

Hand Helds in the Classroom _____                Fall 2010 _____/_____01_________

COURSE TITLE                                                            TERM                                            CREDIT HOURS

 

Face-to-face class ___________

 

1.       Course Description: (provide details of student focus, rationale, scope, and prerequisites)

 

Using handheld computers in the classroom provides hands-on anytime/anywhere learning, can be geared to multiple learning styles, increases and improves productivity and retention and makes teaching and learning informative and enjoyable while providing multiple opportunities to assess and evaluate.
 
In this class students use the hand held Pasco scientific system and sensors and probes to collect data in and out of the classroom. Sensors and probes used in the class include soil moisture, temperature, light, sound, water quality, heart rate, and global positioning satellite. After data is gathered students will transfer the data to a computer, create graphs and charts, analyze the data, and create and present applicable lesson plans and activities pertinent to grades K-12, university, and college students. 

 

2.       Learning Outcomes: (goals, objectives, course outcomes, etc.)  Identify any MOSTEP or professional standards that are met by each learning outcome.

 

After completing this class, students will:

·         develop an understanding of and discuss ways to integrate handhelds into the k-12 curricula including math, science, and English so as to generate higher level thinking and learning from their students

·         discuss terminology associated with hand held computers

·         examine miscellaneous peripherals for hand held computers and how each fits into the classroom

·         discuss various ways to assess and evaluate hand held activities and projects 

·         examine a variety of hand helds for classroom use

·         examine how hand helds can be used in the classrooms in reference to diversity, special needs, gender differences, and the No Child Left Behind Act

·         use and evaluate data input and collection and how to analyze, assess, and evaluate outcomes 

·         examine legal, moral, and ethical issues in reference to hand helds

 

3.       FOR EACH PROBE:

·         PASCO STANDARDS: http://www.pasco.com/resources/standards/Index.cfm

·         Video tutorials: http://www.pasco.com/featured-products/xplorer-glx/index.cfm

·         CURRICULUM: http://www.pasco.com/products/curriculum/index.cfm  (Click on a curriculum topic, click on the ‘experiments’  tab, click on sample handouts and activity sheets for each probe

·         ACTIVITIES 

·         GPS

·         soil moisture

·         temperature/light/sound

·         water quality

·         exercise heart rate

 

4.       How will we gather the data and what will we do with the data? Visit pasco.com for examples and sample, such as: 

·         use the heart rate sensor and take heart rates of females then males and compare/contrast the graphs from the heart rate sensor

·         Predict outcomes of water/temperature/light/sound in different rooms of a building or house

·         Latitude and longitude and compare/contrast gps

 

5.       Required Textbook: none

Suggested Textbooks: during class

Supplemental Readings: on-line links provided

 

6.       The two-day schedule will approximate the following:

Day One:

·         introductions and discuss handhelds in general and introduction to the Pasco equipment, Venier, and other options

·         check out area - discuss check out procedures, and discuss time frame for keeping the equipment, care of equipment, and the checkout spreadsheet schedule

·         visit the web Pasco site, demonstration on how to use the hand held, an overview of the software and how to meshes with Excel, and how to use flash drives

·         demonstration on each of the five probes

·         groups of two in the field w/ handhelds to collect data

·         clean the equipment, walk back to the check out area and turn the teacher unit in so students can see the check in process

·         expectations the activity/assignment homework – collect data, save to flash drive to back up, write the outline of a paper on data gathered, come up with a goal, the outcome, anticipate issues, solutions, and discuss standards and curriculum, share the project ideas below with students

 

Day Two:

·         discuss equipment use, issues, solutions

·         share how each used the equipment and the data each gathered 

·         connect data to standards and curriculum and discuss ethical, social, moral issues if applicable and fine tune the activity/assignment paper from last week that will culminate in their final paper to be presented at the end of class

·         transfer data to Excel, create a Word document, create graphs in Excel that will demonstrate data gathered and then copy and paste the graphs onto their paper in a Word document 

·         1finalize their papers and group together to practice presentations

·         present in groups of two – final project will consist of a paper that presents a goal and problem statement, solution and procedure from gathering data, ties to curriculum, ties to standards,  and graphs and charts to prove their point 

 

7.       EVALUATION / GRADING SCALE:

                93-100 = A

                90-92 = A-

                86-89 = B+

                83-85 = B

                80-82 = B-

                76-79 = C+

 

a) Attendance/Participation/Weekly Posts = 10 points 

b) Worksheets / activities = 30 points

c) Weekly projects = 30 points

d) Final projects = 30 points

 

Evaluation will be based on mini projects and a final project, discussions, attendance and class participation. Total points for each assignment will be listed in each week’s lesson.

 

All academic and professional behavior of students in this course is subject to review for the purposes of student evaluation.

 

6.            ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY: 

Students at Webster University are expected to practice academic honesty. 

In its broadest sense, plagiarism is using someone else's work or ideas, presented or claimed as your own.  Any time you refer to another person's work, whether as a direct quotation or paraphrased, you must use a citation. Students should not copy more than two paragraphs from any source as a major component of papers or projects. All citations must be properly documented and references must be provided using APA guidelines (http://library.webster.edu/citation.html).

 

7.            ACCESSIBILITY/ACCOMODATIONS POLICY:

If you have a disability, please notify your instructor as soon as possible to discuss your accommodation needs.

 

8.            ATTENDANCE:

Attendance is crucial in all online courses. This means that a student is expected to login to the course several times during each week.

 

Even though you are not required to be logged in at any precise time or day, you are expected to login several times during each week. It is important to actively participate each week in the course.

 

The instructor reserves the right to lower the final grade by a letter grade for absences.

 

Students who do not complete the requirements of the course must contact the instructor prior to the end of the course to complete an Incomplete Course form.  Incompletes are not awarded except in emergencies, as defined by the instructor. 

 

NB: An Incomplete may only be awarded to a student who has maintained a passing grade up to the point of the emergency.  Incomplete grades will change to a grade of F or NC unless the requirements stipulated on the incomplete form are met by the date listed on the form or one calendar year from the end of the course, whichever comes first.

 

9.            OTHER - n/a

 

10.          STANDARDS / GOALS:

International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) - National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers (NETS) http://cnets.iste.org/teachers/t_stands.html

 

NETS.T 2008 Standards:   

1.       Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity

Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter, teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that advance student learning, creativity, and innovation in both face-to-face and virtual environments.

2.       Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments

Teachers design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning experiences and assessment incorporating contemporary tools and resources to maximize content learning in context and to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes identified in the NETS•S.

3.       Model Digital-Age Work and Learning

Teachers exhibit knowledge, skills, and work processes representative of an innovative professional in a global and digital society.

4.       Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility

Teachers understand local and global societal issues and responsibilities in an evolving digital culture and exhibit legal and ethical behavior in their professional practices.

5.       Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership

Teachers continuously improve their professional practice, model lifelong learning, and exhibit leadership in their school and professional community by promoting and demonstrating the effective use of digital tools and resources.

 

The School of Education (SOE) Goals:

1.       The knowledgeable learner:

Education candidates will demonstrate knowledge of the subject matter, knowledge of the learner, and knowledge of pedagogy based on inquiry and scholarship.

2.       The informed instructor:

Education candidates will incorporate multiple assessment and instructional strategies to support effective educational practices based on research and theory.

3.       The reflective collaborator:

Education candidates will reflect on the roles educators take as leaders of change through collaboration with colleagues, students, and families in schools and communities.

4.       The responsive educator:

Education candidates will demonstrate respect for diversity through responsive teaching and learning that values individual differences.

 

 

This syllabus is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor.