University of South Florida

PREREQUISITES

Permit issued by Lisa Mullen (LMullen@coedu.usf.edu). This is necessary to make sure that you are enrolled with your cohort, or if you are not in a cohort that you are enrolled with the other students, who also are not in the cohort.

Basic Computer Skills

• Basic operating system skills (e.g., creating folders, opening and saving files; using Save As to change file formats; compressing and extracting files and folders; and installing programs on your computer.)
• Basic Internet skills (e.g., using Google to search for information; downloading and saving files from the Internet; sharing information through e-mail attachments).
• Basic Blackboard skills (e.g., reading announcements; locating activities; writing a response on the discussion board; submitting assignments to the gradebook; checking the gradebook for feedback; using Content Collection to save files for back-up or sharing; linking to the Virtual USF Library).

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This survey course provides information and teaches skills necessary for administrators and teachers to effectively integrate and manage technology resources; use application software, such as word processors, database managers, spreadsheets, Internet search tools, and the USF virtual library to facilitate leadership and management tasks at the school and classroom level.

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Course Materials

Course materials will be accessed via the Internet at no cost.

In addition, the students use the CD-ROM, Principal Connections: A Guide to Technology Leadership.

Implementation/ Method

This course is anchored to authentic problem-based projects within a collaborative learning environment. Students will apply previously learned skills and knowledge to creating a prototype in an iterative analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation process. Guest speakers share their career experiences and lessons learned while involved while designing technology-based instruction.

It is ESSENTIAL that you obtain access to Blackboard (which requires a NetID). Please follow the steps in Login.

Several synchronous sessions will take place this semester. Students must have microphones and speakers on their computers to participate in the sessions.

Course Goals and Objectives

The course consists of a set of project-based authentic activities that are connected with the technology standards recommended for educational leaders. Each of these activities contains one or more evaluation products to be completed by the student. The course objectives are based on the technology-related competencies and skills required for certification in educational leadership in Florida -- see the Florida Educational Leadership Examination (FELE) and Technology Standards for the FELE.  In addition, the Technology Standards for School Administrators, NCATE Unit Standards 2008, and National Educational Technology Standards (NETS).

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This course requires a permit. This is necessary to make sure that you are enrolled with your cohort, or if you are not in a cohort that you are enrolled with the other students, who also are not in the cohort. To obtain a permit, please e-mail Lisa Mullen.

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Class Activities (90%) -- The class activities are anchored to authentic tasks that a school administrator must do to support the effective integration of technology in the curriculum to support student learning and to manage the resources within the school that support efficient functioning. The objectives for the class activities are two-fold. First each student is expected to demonstrate skill in the use of basic office software packages (word processing, spreadsheet software, presentation software, database software, and web pages). Second students will apply these skills to improving the schools' functioning by identifying problems, analyzing data, planning and delineating solutions, and evaluating effectiveness. Sample topics include writing technology grants, technology plans, and school improvement plans; using technology for data-driven decision making for managing resources and improving student achievement; creating persuasive presentations for publicly communicating with stakeholders; analyzing issues related to Internet use at school (search techniques, copyrights, filters, etc.); and providing leadership for effective technology integration in the classroom and using emerging technologies (podcasts, wikis, etc.). The course is taught with a mastery-learning orientation. Because students have different learning curves for using technology, students may resubmit most activities in order to improve their grades, if they have submitted their initial attempt on time.

Professionalism (10%) -- Professionalism is gauged by the level of interactions that promote a positive learning environment for the student and others in asynchronous collaborative digital activities (discussion board, wiki, and blogs) and synchronous collaborative activities in the virtual class sessions (Elluminate); voicing disagreements with other members of the class in a polite manner; conducting all activities in an ethical manner; the timeliness of original project submissions and prompt updates about issues; the perseverance of the student to master skills, overcome obstacles, and improve performance; and the quality of the student's reflections about his or her learning. Transcripts are reviewed and evaluated based upon quality and quantity of responsiveness on an ongoing basis throughout the semester.

No incompletes will be awarded without extenuating, documented circumstances, such as death in the family or extended illness. If you request an Incomplete you will be assigned the grade that you have currently earned, which will be updated when you complete the requirements of the course. If you do not update this grade within the specified time period, you will automatically be assigned this grade. If you believe that there is a possibility that you may not be able to complete the requirements and your current grade is not acceptable, then you should officially withdraw from the course. Please see the USF Graduate School's policy for Incomplete Grades.

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. Please see the USF Graduate School's policy for Dropping Courses.

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The course is conducted primarily via the Web. There are no required face-to-face class meetings. However, students are welcome to come to campus for individualized assistance throughout the semester on an appointment basis.

Due dates will be listed in the Gradebook on Blackboard. Assignments that involve other members of the class such as Discussion Postings, Wikis, Blogs, Group Projects, must be submitted on time. All individual assignments must be submitted on time in order to be eligible for resubmission for a better grade. All resubmitted activities are due before the end of the semester in order for them to be graded.

Tentative Topics

• Principal Leadership with Technology
• Development of the Vision
• Development of the Program
• Multiple Assessments and Evaluations
• Data-Driven Decisions
• Communication
• New Technologies
• Issues and Policies
• Technology Plans or Grant Proposal

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ADA Statement: Students with disabilities are responsible for registering with the Office of Student Disabilities Services in order to receive special accommodations and services.   Please notify the instructor during the first week of classes if a reasonable accommodation for a disability is needed for this course.   A letter from the USF Disability Services Office must accompany this request.

USF Policy on Religious Observances: Students who anticipate the necessity of being absent from class due to the observation of a major religious observance must provide notice of the date(s) to the instructor, in writing, by the second class meeting.

Web Portal Information: Every newly enrolled USF student receives an official USF e-mail account that ends with "mail.usf.edu."  Every official USF correspondence to students will be sent to that account. Students should go to the Information Technology web site (http://it.usf.edu/) and select the link for Student e-maill@USF (http://www.it.usf.edu/email/student) for directions and links to obtain an e-mail account, and Email Setup (http://www.it.usf.edu/email/student/email-setup) for detailed information about setting up your account. If you prefer using a different account, you set up the official USF student account with e-mail forwarding. Once you have an e-mail account, you can access your e-mail at http://mail.usf.edu/

Academic Dishonesty:  Information can be found in the USF Graduate School Policy. Punishment for academic dishonesty will depend on the seriousness of the offense and may include receipt of an “F” with a numerical value of zero on the item submitted, and the “F” shall be used to determine the final course grade.   It is the option of the instructor to assign the student a grade of F or FF (the latter indicating dishonesty) in the course. Tutorials are located at http://www.cte.usf.edu/plagiarism/plag.html and http://www.lib.usf.edu/public/index.cfm?Pg=Plagiarism.

Detection of Plagiarism: Blackboard includes an automated plagiarism detection service that allows instructors to submit student assignments to be checked for plagiarism.   I reserve the right to 1) request that assignments be submitted to me as electronic files and 2) electronically submit assignments to the plagiarism deletion tool.

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You will access the course materials and submit assignments via the USF Blackboard Portal. It is ESSENTIAL that you obtain access to Blackboard (which requires a USFCard).  The USFCard identifies you as a University of South Florida student. Distance learning students can use their USFCard to check out materials from the USF Library; to acquire a USF e-mail address; to gain entry to USF athletic events and campus recreation facilities; to gain student discounts to movie theaters and restaurants; and much more. To obtain your Distance Learning USFCard, please complete and return the Distance Learning USFCard Application. After you have your USFCard, follow these steps to access the course:

1. Activate your NetID  https://netid.usf.edu/una/
2. Use your NetID to sign into MyUSF and Blackboard
3. Click on the Courses tab at the top to find the your courses for this semester.

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