EME 5403: Computers in Education

Prerequisites Course Description Course Requirements Registration
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PREREQUISITES

No special prerequisite skills are required for EME5403: Microcomputers in Education (except graduate standing, basic computer literacy, and the ability to browse the web). Each participant is expected to be a self-starter, motivated to acquire computer skills.

This is an introductory course; however,  it is also suitable for those who are proficient with technology as assignments are tailored to different levels. This course can be used for teacher re-certification in any area.  It is also appropriate as an elective in many Master's, Ed.S., and Ph.D. programs.  This course can be counted toward the Digital Educator's Graduate Certificate. It will not count in the Instructional Technology M.Ed., Ed.S., or Ph.D. programs. Check with the instructor or your academic advisor if you have any questions.

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COURSE DESCRIPTION

Microcomputers in Education (soon to be called Computers in Education) is a three-credit hour, graduate course that is taught online. There will be no in-class meetings, unless all students who register live locally. Arrangements to meet in-person may be arranged during the first two weeks of the semester. Students interact with the instructor and other students via the Web. There will be some synchronous (real-time) web-based meetings.

EME5403 is designed to be relevant and practical for school teachers and media specialists. There will be assigned readings from a required text as well as other source material. Students engage in weekly collaborative discussions and acquire hands-on computer technology experience. Topics include: hardware and networking; the instructional use of spreadsheets, databases, and presentation software in school settings; and the effective integration of the Internet and emerging technologies for researching, teaching, and learning.

Featured are two levels for each activity so that those who are proficient with a particular skill will be challenged just as those that are beginners are. Students are asked to take a technology skills inventory at the beginning of the class to determine whether beginning or advanced assignment levels should be completed. Students will be asked to take the skills inventory at the end of the class also to determine growth of knowledge and skill attainment.

Please notify the instructor within the first week if a reasonable accommodation for a disability is needed for this course. A letter from the Student Disability Services Office must accompany the request. Additional resource information is available through the College of Education Graduate Student Handbook.

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COURSE REQUIREMENTS

The textbook required for this course is: TechTachtics, Edition 2, by Carolyn Thorsen, ISBN 0-205-45722-3. The textbook is available new and used at Grays Bookstore which is off-campus. It can be purchased online at www.graysbooks.com.

Coursework: Consists of participation in weekly discussion boards, five activities, five quizzes which may be retaken as many times as necessary to achieve 100%, one course project for which you will work in small groups, and participation in monthly synchronous office hours and a virtual classroom.

The activities consist of the following:

  1. Telecommunications which includes the creation of a Student Homepage within Blackboard at the beginning level.
  2. Word Processing, which consists of creation of a lesson plan that incorporates technology integration
  3. Spreadsheet or Database activities (at introductory or advanced levels)
  4. PowerPoint Presentation (at introductory or advanced levels)
  5. Researching on the Web using search engines, directories, databases, and meta search engines. This activity includes the evaluation of one web page.
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REGISTRATION

You can register for this course as a degree-seeking student or a non-degree seeking student.  In other words, if you are taking the course for recertification, you might not be in a "formal" degree program.  In that case, you can register as a non-degree seeking student.  Visit the USF Registrar's page at http://www.registrar.usf.edu/index.php and click on "Non-Degree Student Application."  If, at a later date, you decide to enter a degree program, you will be able to use some of the courses that you took as a non-degree seeker.

This course is an "Alternative Calendar" course -- that means there is a bit more flexibility in registration.  For example, you can register during the first week of class, without paying a late fee or completing a waiver. For the Alternate Calendar form, call Beverly Hawley at in the Registrar's Office at 813-974-4428.

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EVALUATION

Your course grade will be based on an accumulation of points on all course activities.

Grades are assigned using + and -, so A+, A, A-, etc. is possible. Number of points possible is 1000. These are allocated as follows:

  • Weekly Discussion Boards: 240 points
  • Office Hours (3): 90 points
  • Virtual Classroom: 50 points
  • 5 Activities: 475 points
  • 5 Quizzes: 45 points
  • Course Project: 100 points

Students will evaluate their own performance following specific guidelines on the weekly discussion boards. In addition, group members will evaluate the performance of each other and themselves on the group project. Evaluations will be based on specific guidelines.

If you decide to drop this course, please be sure to officially withdraw -- otherwise you will receive a grade (probably an F) for the course. Remember, there is no grade forgiveness at the graduate level.

No incompletes will be awarded without extenuating, documented circumstances, such as death in the family or extended illness.

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SCHEDULE

The course is conducted entirely via the Web. There are no meetings on campus, unless all students who register live locally. Arrangements to meet in-person may be arranged during the first two weeks of the semester. Students are welcome to come to campus for individualized assistance throughout the semester on an appointment basis.

Please note that an activity will be due approximately every two weeks but that due assignment due dates are flexible. The Course Project is due by the end of the semester.

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LOGIN PROCEDURE

After you are enrolled, you will access to the course via the USF Blackboard Portal.

It is ESSENTIAL that you obtain access to Blackboard (which requires a NetID).  If you do not have one, follow these steps immediately.

  1. Obtain a USF Card (information at http://www.auxsvc.usf.edu/usfcard.html)
  2. Or, use the online form at http://www.auxsvc.usf.edu/form_distance_learning.asp
  3. Activate you NetID  https://una.acomp.usf.edu/
  4. Use your NetID to sign into MyUSF and Blackboard (Click on the Courses tab after you sign in,)

If you have questions about the course, feel free to contact Dr. Susan Zucker (szucker@tempest.coedu.usf.edu).

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