Internet for Teachers

COURSE SYLLABUS

Course # 60522
3 Credit Hours
Summer 2010
Dr. Pastore
Bloomsburg University

Web Site:
Class Web Site: http://it.teacherworld.com

Course Description:
"Internet for Teachers" is a 3-credit graduate course for educators who would like to explore various options for integrating the Internet into their curriculum.  Educators will explore the latest web resources and materials available for use in the classroom. Participants will be encouraged to customize the information from this course to create practical student-centered activities appropriate to their subject area and grade level.  Some of the projects are: building a web page, constructing a web site evaluation instrument, creating a NetQuest, teaching students how to conduct effective searches, communicating with colleagues, experts, and other students, and downloading and maintaining Internet software and graphics resources

Class Assignments, Class Schedule, and Class Agendas:
Information about class assignments and the class schedule is updated weekly as the course progresses and is NOT included in this syllabus.  YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE for checking the class web page on a weekly basis to learn about future assignments and the class schedule.

Section:
Section 21 (Tuesdays and Thursdays,  5:00 - 8:20)

Location:
McCormick Center 1148 Lab

Instructor:
Raymond S. Pastore, Ph.D.
MCHS 1109 or MCHS 1148 Lab (I am in one of these two areas during office hours)
My Office/Lab/Secondary Office: 570-389-4025/4236/4044
rpastore@bloomu.edu
TITLE YOUR EMAIL "CLASS"
Note: I will not respond to email sent to any other address.

Office Hours:
3:30 to 5:00 on Tuesdays and Thursdays and By Appointment

Course Prerequisites:
This is not an introductory computer course. This is an introductory Internet course. You must be familiar with computers, a web browser, and at least one word processing program. You should know how to launch several applications and how to cut and paste information between applications. You should know how to format a disk and make back-up copies. You should know how to create folders within folders and save files in folders.  You should know how to save files to various folders in various locations on your computer including floppy or zip disks.  You should know how to rename folders and files.  You should know how to transfer files between folders and disks. You should be familiar with the Windows operating system.

Required Web Site:
You are also required to buy a domain name and server space to build your own web site.  The price for this is $77.00 and includes the legal purchase of your domain name and 1000 MB of hosted server space with many perks for your web site.  I will recommend a site where you can purchase your domain.  Please note that I have no affiliation with this site in any way.

Recommended Supplies:
One USB Flash Drive with a minimum of 1 GB of memory.

Assignments & Grading:
You will be given points for assignments and attendance (these are discussed below). The total number of points earned at the end of the semester will determine your final grade based on a PERCENTAGE system as follows:

A         94-100
A-        90-93
B+       88-89
B         85-87
B-        81-84
C+       79-80
C         75-78
C-        71-74
D         68-70
E          67 and below

Attendance:
Please visit http://www.bloomu.edu/policies/3506.php for  definitions and policies of class attendance.  If you come to class after roll was taken, it is your responsibility to inform me that you were present.  If you miss class, it is your responsibility to obtain class notes and assignments from me. An attendance roll sheet will be circulated during each class after the first week.  It is your responsibility to sign this sheet. You will not receive credit for class attendance unless your name is on your sheet.

Note: If you miss 25% or more of the classes in this course, you will not receive a grade higher than a "C" even if your points average to a higher grade. If you miss 33% or more of the classes in this course, you will not pass the course even if your points average to a higher grade. The rationale for this is that we will be doing activities in class that cannot always be made up by assignments or tests. In addition, if you are going to be a teacher and cannot come to a class within your MAJOR, then you do not deserve to get the same grade as students who made the effort to come to class.

Web Page Construction Assessment:
Creating and maintaining a web site is the central theme and main delivery system of this course.  Doing your OWN technical work for the web page construction aspect of this course is required.  Having another person author your web site will not benefit you as a future teacher because you will need to create, update and modify your won web pages.  If you use another person to author your web site, this is plagiarism.  I will reserve the right to have you demonstrate any technical work that is found on your web site.

In addition, at the midterm, you will have an "in class" web page construction assessment in this course to analyze your web page construction skills and determine if you did your own work.  A review will be conducted for this exercise and you will be given a sample practice exercise so you know exactly what the expectations are for the actual assessment.  This assessment is simple and measures the most basic web page construction concepts taught in this course.  If you do not get a 100% on this simple assessment, then you will not receive points for any of your assignments and will be advised to drop the course.  You may view the graduate course withdrawal policy at: http://www.bloomu.edu/policies/3463.php

Attendance and Class Presentations:
During the semester, there will be occasions when class members present their projects to the class. The educational value of these session in terms of presenting and sharing are difficult to measure through written assessments.  Therefore, students will be given extra points for class attendance during presentations that will exceed the value of points given for attendance on other days.

Timeliness of Presentations:
If you are unable to do a presentation because you were having technical problems, you must notify me at least one week in advance so that we could have time to remediate your problems.  I cannot excuse you from doing a scheduled presentation because you had technical difficulties.

Late Assignments:
I do not accept late assignments unless you have an excused absence as defined above.  If you have an excused absence and the assignment is due, then it is due the next class.  On days when assignments are due, they are due when you walk into the lab.  You are not permitted to work on assignments in class on the day that assignments are due. Also, please note that an email the day before the assignment is due is not considered contacting me BEFORE the assignment is due. You must notify me with adequate time to respond to your email or set up an appointment (3 days minimum). 

Resubmitting of Work
I do not accept any resubmitted work because directions are specifically given on the web site.  In addition, assignment requirements are discussed in class.  If you don't understand the assignment, please see me BEFORE the assignment is due.

Quality of Your Work
As a future teacher, you will be expected to bring the latest research methodologies and technologies to your student teaching experience and ultimately, your first job experience.  You will not gain all of the technical knowledge that you need to know from this course; however, you will become aware of some of the high expectations of today's schools. Many of our Bloomsburg teachers are sought after as high quality teacher candidates and a significant portion of our teachers eventually become leaders in the schools.  You will be expected to put no less than 100% effort into the work of this course.  Consequently, I reserve the right to reject any work including units, web pages, and presentations that signifies minimal effort and does not reflect the high quality expected in our graduates.

Design of your Web Site and Other Projects
You will lose points on assignments if:

• Your links are broken
• You use underlining
• You do not have appropriate titles in the title bar of your browser
• Your text is difficult to read
• Paragraphs more than 3 lines are centered
• Your page appears cluttered
• You have typo's and/or grammtical and/or spelling errors
• Your text and/or graphics are misaligned and/or there are spacing problems
• Your background conflicts with your text
• Your design is plain and does not reflect "professionalism" and your best efforts
  

I strongly recommend that you sit down with me and let me "proof" your site!

Points on Assignments:
Each assignment is worth a certain number of points, however, you will not receive ANY points for an incomplete assignment.  In addition, you will not receive ANY points if you do not obtain at least 70% of the allocated points for the assignment.  The rationale for this policy is that an assignment that is partially completed or that is below the expected average of performance is not useful to you or your future students.

Start of Class:
I do not start the class, YOU start the class.  Class officially begins when YOU walk into the lab.  You should logon to your computer and begin to work on your assignments.  At the beginning of most classes, I usually circulate through the lab and see if there are any questions or if anyone needs help.  In classes where there is large group instruction, I will notify you when it is time to meet in the front of the lab.  Large group instruction may begin at any time from the beginning of the class toward the end of the class.

End of Class:
You are expected to remain in the lab until I dismiss the class or dismiss you.  If you completed your assignment and would like to leave, you should check with me and I will proof your assignment.

Feedback on Your Work:
I correct most of your work at the midterm and end of the semester because this is when most assignments are due.  In some instances, I may correct your work at other times during the semester.  I STRONGLY suggest that you get feedback from me BEFORE an assignment is due.  If you are wondering about your grade status or an evaluation of a particular assignment, then your should see me to schedule a time to meet.

Emailing of Assignments:
Due to time constraints and potential technical problems, I do not accept any assignments through email.

Academic Integrity:
On past occasions, students have copied materials from other students (i.e. web site resources) and have had other persons work on their projects outside of class.  In addition, students have used unauthorized aids during written tests.  Persons suspected of plagiarism will be asked to demonstrate the work through written and/or verbal assessment by the instructor.  Any student caught engaging in cheating or plagiarism will be subject to sanctions described in the Academic Integrity Policy found at http://www.bloomu.edu/policies/3512.php that can include failure of the course.  

University Students with Disabilities:
If you have an identified disability that may affect you performance in this class, you should schedule an appointment with the instructor so that reasonable adjustments/provisions may be discussed to better insure that you will have an equal opportunity to meet all the requirements of this course.

Class Cancellations by the Instructor:
In the event that I may have to cancel a class due to an emergency, I will post a message on the class web site.  Please note that I may cancel classes if I cannot make the trip to the campus because of snow.  Please check the web site if weather conditions are bad or threatening. You may have an alternate assignment posted on the web if class is cancelled.

Web Classes:
During the course, you may have a number of "web classes" posted on the class web site.  This does not mean that class is cancelled.  It means that class activities and assignments are posted on the web.  You should complete these assignments as they are posted.  Do not wait until the last minute.  Remember that web classes take the place of class meetings and are given in addition to homework assignments. GROUPS OF INDIVIDUALS WHO COMPLETE THESE WEB CLASSES TOGETHER ARE PLAGIARIZING.  The web classes are intended to give individualized instruction.  Please note that some of the web classes may be posted during class cancellations due to weather or other unexpected emergencies.

Group Meetings:
If you have a group project in this course, you may be given some class time to meet with a group of students.  You are expected to attend these meetings, and they will count as part of your class attendance.

About the Use of Technology in Dr. Pastore's Courses:
In order to avoid misconceptions about the role of technology in this course, you need to be aware of basic assumptions made by this instructor:

• Technology use in the schools is only at the "tip of the iceberg."  The use of technology, particularly web-based technologies, will  permeate the school curriculum in growing proportions.
• Recent graduates  will be expected to become technology leaders in the use and integration of technology in the classroom.
• Technology is a tool used to improve teaching and learning.  It is not a means to an end.
• The proficient use of technology will distinguish you from other teacher candidates who are not proficient in technology.
• The technology in this course is "leading edge" technology.
• The difficulty of the technology in this course is for the average person, not a technology "wizard."

Back-up & Saving Files:
SAVE OFTEN AND ALWAYS MAKE BACK-UP COPIES OF YOUR WORK ON A SECOND DISK OR FLASH DRIVE! I cannot accept the excuse that you lost your files.  Please make back-ups.  Assume that you will lose files; therefore, you must have a back-up.

Although I usually collect "print-outs" and not disks or flash drives, you are expected to produce a copy of the file if requested!  If you cannot produce it, you will not be given credit for your work.  You are responsible for all work in this course; therefore, you must always protect your work by saving often and making a back-up cop

Presentations, Mid-term and Final:
You will be responsible for class presentations, a mid-term portfolio, and a final portfolio.  You will not have a written final during final week.  In accordance with the Academic Examination Policies found at http://www.bloomu.edu/policies/3516.php, your final will be your web site and/or written portfolio.  This practice is based on the performance-based nature of this course.  In addition, the use of performance-based assessment in this course serves as a model for 21st-century research-based teaching practices advocated by our Elementary and Secondary Education programs.  If you cannot make a presentation due to an emergency, I will require documentation.  If you are aware of a conflict where you cannot make a presentation, please notify me in person (NOT email) at least one week in advance.  

1148 Lab Hours:
Check the class web site for this information.

Standards

This course is offered through the Department of Educational Studies and Secondary Education and as such is designed to meet the Pathwise criteria, which is part of the Educational Testing Service’s PRAXIS Series, and one or more of the ten Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (INTASC) Standards.

The PATHWISE FRAMEWORK is the conceptual framework for the Bloomsburg University School of Education.  The PATHWISE elements that are addressed in this course are as follows:

Domain A --- Organizing Content Knowledge for Student Learning
A1: Becoming familiar with relevant aspects of students’ background knowledge and experiences
A2: Articulating clear learning goals for the lesson that are appropriate for the students
A3: Demonstrating an understanding of the connections between the content that was learned previously, the current content, and the content that remains to be learned in the future
A4: Creating or selecting teaching methods, learning activities, and instructional materials or other resources that are appropriate for the students and that are aligned with the goals of the lesson
A5: Creating or selecting evaluation strategies that is appropriate for the students and that are aligned with the goals of the lesson

Domain B --- Creating an Environment for Students Learning
B1: Creating a climate that promotes fairness
B2: Establishing and maintaining rapport with students
B3: Communicating and challenging learning expectations to each student
B4: Establishing and maintaining consistent standards of classroom behavior
B5: Making the physical environment as safe and conducive to learning as possible

Domain C --- Teaching for Student Learning
C1: Making learning goals and instructional procedures clear to students
C2: Making content comprehensible to students
C3: Encouraging students to extend their thinking
C4: Monitoring students’ understanding of content through a variety of means, providing feedback to students to assist learning, and adjusting learning activities as the situation demands
C5: Using instructional time effectively

Domain D --- Teacher Professionalism
D1: Reflecting on the extent to which the learning goals were met
D2: Demonstrating a sense of efficacy
D3: Building professional relationships with colleagues to share teaching insights and to coordinate learning activities for students
D4: Communicating with parents or guardians about student learning

The INTASC STANDARDS that are addressed in this course are as follows: 

Principle #1 The teacher understands the central concepts, tool of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) he or she teaches and can create learning experiences that make these aspects of subject matter meaningful for students.

Principle #2 The teacher understands how children learn and develop, and can provide learning opportunities that support their intellectual, social, and personal development.

Principle #3 The teacher understands how students differ in their approaches to learning and creates instructional opportunities that are adapted to diverse learners.

Principle #4 The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage students’ development of critical thinking, and performance skills.

Principle #5 The teacher uses an understanding of individual and group motivation and behavior to create a learning environment and encourages positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self- motivation.

Principle #6 The teacher uses knowledge of effective verbal, nonverbal, and media communication techniques to foster active inquiry, collaboration, and supportive interaction in the classroom

Principle #7 The teacher plans instruction based upon knowledge of subject matter, students, the community, and curriculum goals.

Principle #8 The teacher understands and uses formal and informal assessment strategies to evaluate and ensure the continuous intellectual, social and physical development of the learner.

Principle #9 The teacher is a reflective practitioner who continually evaluates the effects of his/her choices and actions on others  (students, parents, and other professionals in the learning community) and who actively seeks out opportunities to grow professionally.

Principle #10 The teacher fosters relationships with school colleagues, parents, and agencies in the larger community to support students’ learning and well-being

Course Objectives:
Note: These are referenced to the PATHWISE and INTASC Standards

• Identify the basic elements of the Internet. [A3,C3,P1,P4]

• Use the various Internet tools. [D1,C3,P1]

• Describe the issues associated with the Internet. [A3,C3,P1,P4]

• Develop a portfolio of useful web sites and Internet resources. [D1,C3,P1]

• Develop familiarity with Internet related software applications. [D1,C3,P1]

• Integrate Internet into the curriculum at the lesson plan and unit levels. [D1,C3,P1]

• Identify Internet communication resources for teachers and students. [A3,C3,P1,P4]

• Identify and evaluate new and emerging Internet technologies. [D1,C3,P1]

• Use the Internet as an effective research tool. [A3,C3,P1,P4]

• Utilize the Internet for professional development. [D1,A4,C3,P3,P4]

• Retrieve, modify, and utilize graphics and text from Internet resources. [D1,A4,C3,P3,P4]

• Identify multimedia applications and their use on the web. [D1,C3,P1]

Your responsibility is to...

• Come to class

• Do all assignments to the best of your ability

• Participate in class

My responsibility is to...

• INTRODUCE you to the process, knowledge, and skills necessary to use technology in this course

• Provide you with leadership and help to be successful in this course

• Stimulate your creative thinking and give you a positive vision of the teaching future

About Getting Help
I am a teacher, and my job is to help you succeed in this course.  I ALWAYS walk around during class and ask students if they need help.   If you need help, PLEASE ASK.    I promise that I will not degrade you, berate you, or make you think that you should have known the information. I cannot read your mind or always determine if you need help.   Please do not hesitate to ask.  If you need more help than I can give in class, you must be willing to make an appointment with me.  Please be patient during class if I am helping other students. 

Some Final Advice
You will NOT learn everything there is to know about the use of web sites in the classroom.  You will be introduced to a number of new technologies, but in order to really learn them, you must continue to use and apply technology after this course ends. 

Relax, have fun, and enjoy the course.  You should not worry about the work load or technologies in this course because you will progress through the these areas one step at a time.  Keep up with the work and come to class.  Remember that you are here to prepare for the future!  I will be happy to meet with you if you have any apprehensions about succeeding in this course.

You will be given a copy of the form below to sign on the first day of class.  You will be asked to sign this form.   If you don’t understand this syllabus, please ask questions or meet with me before signing. 

SYLLABUS FORM FOR DR. PASTORE’S CLASSES

Course Name:

Course Meeting Time(s) and Day(s):

Semester:

Your Name (printed):

Name (signature):

Date:

Address:

Phone (Campus):

Email:

Major:

My expectations or what I would like to learn in this course:

Please check ONE of the areas below:

____ I have received a syllabus, read the syllabus, and understand the course requirements.

____ I would like to meet with you to discuss the syllabus.

Return to Internet for Teachers Class Web Page

©Raymond S. Pastore, Ph.D.
Professor of Education
Teacherworld.com
1148 McCormick Center
Bloomsburg University
Bloomsburg, PA 17815-1301
570-389-4236/4025/4044