EDET 411: Technology for Middle School Teachers
Prerequisites: Admittance into Middle School Teacher Preparation Program
Credit Hours: (2)
Strengthens skills involving technology and its integration in the middle school classroom. The concentration will be on learning about and manipulating many different types of technologies available in public middle schools. Students will gain ideas and brainstorm strategies to enhance instruction through integration. Students will build a solid resource of ideas for future use with a background of what technology is available.
Detailed Description of Course Content
Purpose: The main objectives for this course are to ensure prospective teachers develop critical awareness of instructional technologies in order to successfully integrate technology into their teaching.
Approach: The course begins with an overview of the latest research on how people learn. This cognitive science research serves as a diagnostic lens to evaluate the efficacy of the instructional technologies the class uses over the course of the semester. Prospective teachers will be introduced to techniques and methods through modeling and direct hands-on experience to a wide array of technologies. Along the way, students will develop skills for identifying appropriate technologies and making decisions concerning when to integrate a technology. Specific technologies and topics include:
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
Students will use web-based tools and resources to create, organize, and reflect upon a variety of materials supporting middle school professional education preparation. These materials will include items associated with instructional planning, management, and continuing professional development. Students will establish a PortaPortal account, create video lesson plans, create a webpage, create a webquest, make a blog post, and create an online portfolio.
Student Goals and Objectives
Goals, objectives, and assignments in this class address
NCATE standards 1.c.
NMSA 3.5 Are fluent in the integration of technology in curriculum planning
VDOE standards for middle school technology are listed below 1-12.
VPS Curriculum and Instructional Procedures (Technology) – 8 VAC20-25-30
Upon completion of this course, learners will possess knowledge and skills in the following areas:
1. Basic Operations and Concepts
a. Demonstration of knowledge of the nature and operation of Technology systems
(1) Describe how technology impacts learning
(2) Explore how software and hardware are developed to respond to changing
needs of technology
(3) Describe compatibility issues between types of technology
b. Demonstration of proficiency in the use of technology
(1) Understanding hardware and software have different operating systems
(2) Ability to use self-help features to learn use of hardware and software
NCATE 1. c NMSA 1-5 VDOE 8VAC 20-25-30 A-H
2. Social and Ethical Issues
a. Demonstration of knowledge of ethical, cultural, and societal issues related
to technology
(1) Knowledge of current changes in information technologies
(2) Need for laws and policies to govern technology
(3) Career opportunities in technology-related careers
b. Practice responsible use of technology systems, information and software
(1) Correct use of fair use and copyright regulations
(2) Compliance with school division’s Acceptable Use Policy and other
legal guidelines
c. Demonstration of knowledge of technologies supporting collaboration, personal
pursuits, and productivity
(1) Work collaboratively and/or independently when using technology
(2) Practice preventative maintenance of equipment, resources, and facilities
(3) Explore the potential of the Internet as means of personal learning
and the respectful exchange of ideas and products
NCATE 1. c NMSA 1-5 VDOE 8VAC 20-25-30 A-H
3. Technology Research Tools
a. Use of technology to locate, evaluate, and collect information from a variety
of sources
(1) Use databases and spreadsheets to evaluate information
(2) Use technology resources such as calculators and data collection probes
for gathering information
(3) Use Internet and other electronic resources to locate information
in real time
b. Evaluation and selection of new information resources and technological innovations
based on appropriateness for specific tasks
(1) Use search strategies to retrieve information
(2) Evaluate accuracy, relevance, and appropriateness of electronic information
sources
NCATE 1.a, c NMSA 1-5 VDOE 8VAC 20-25-30 A-H
4. Problem-solving and Decision-making Tools
a. Use of technology resources for solving problems and making informed decisions
(1) Employ technology in development of strategies for solving problems
(2) Use variety of technologies in development of strategies for solving
problems
(3) Use content-specific tools, software, and simulations such as environmental
probes, graphic calculators, exploratory environments, and web tools
(4) Participate in collaborative problem-solving activities
(5) Select and use appropriate tools and technology resources to accomplish
a variety of tasks
(6) Instructional personnel shall be able to plan and implement lessons
and strategies that integrate technology to meet the diverse needs of learners in
a variety of educational settings
NCATE 1. c NMSA 1-5 VDOE 8VAC 20-25-30 A-H
5. Technology Communication Tools
a. Use of a variety of media and formats to communicate information and ideas
effectively to multiple audiences
(1) Choice of appropriate tool, format, and style to communicate information
(2) Independent use of technology tools to create and communicate for
individual and/or collaborative projects
(3) Production of documents demonstrating ability to edit, reformat,
an integrate various software tools
NCATE 1. c NMSA 1-5 VDOE 8VAC 20-25-30 A-H
Assessment Measures
Class attendance and participation. Given the interactive nature of the class and
its correlation with field experiences, students will be expected to actively participate
in each class.
The students are specifically assessed on the following items:
1. Class participation (real and online) and professional behavior
2. Weekly activities and projects
3. Quizzes and a final exam
4. Class presentations
5. Final projects consisting of four parts: a. Wikispace; b. Google
Earth; c. SmartBoard; and d. a project of their choosing.
Other Course Information
None
Review and Approval
Revised April, 2009