Session 9, Wed. Oct 29

Discuss: reflect and enhance Tasks 8-1 and 8-2 Course Summary: Create a final Post that discusses the benefits you've received from taking this course. Review your student Ed556-Blog to ensure all required components are included. Check all Posts and supporting documents for proper grammar and spelling. Confirm all support documents and submissions are appropriately linked. Course and Instructor evaluation (using GFU forms).

Session 8, Wed. Oct 22

Discuss, reflect and enhance Task 7-1 Textbook: Read pgs 253-285 Assessment of Teaching and Learning Tasks: Task 8-1 Reflecting back to Task 3-3 (ie., goals and objectives for a mini-unit titled "Technology Literacy for all Students), take time to brainstorm and describe several types of assessments that could be implemented in this unit of study. This could include some pre-assessments, periodic checking for understanding, and final assessment. Task 8-2 In Task 6-2 you designed a comprehensive lesson plan for Day 1 of 3 in your mini-unit titled "Technology Literacy for all Students." Your focus was using appropriate instructional strategies. In this Task, demonstrate your knowledge of assessment strategies by developing specific pre-assessment and post-assessment evaluation tools for the Lesson you previously designed. Include at least one tool that involves a Rubric whereby the student and teacher are fully aware of the criteria. Tools: Post and overview these Tasks in your Ed556-Blog and link to the Docs.

Session 7, Wed. Oct 15

Discuss, reflect and enhance Task 6-1 and 6-2 Tasks: Task 7-1 Compile a collection of instructional resources to aid in planning and teaching of technology related courses. Include: Instructional and authentic web sites and blogs created by educators. Links to outstanding lesson plans, unit designs, integrative units, small group activities, authentic experiences, classroom discussion, student and teacher directed instruction, and authentic assessment State and District technology curriculum guidelines National technology standards (NETS) Professional organizations (ISTE, NCCE) Tools: Post and overview these Tasks in your Ed556-Blog and link to the Docs.

Session 6, Wed. Oct 8

Discuss, reflect and enhance Task 5-1 Textbook: Read pgs 169-231 Selecting and Implementing Instructional Strategies: (Student Centered 170-199) and (Teacher Centered 200-231) Tasks: Task 6-1 Summarize key points of above reading (Selecting and Implementing Instructional Strategies) Task 6-2 In Lesson 3-3 you created the goals and objectives for a 3-day mini unit titled "Technology Literacy for all Students." The focus of this task is to development a Lesson Plan for Day 1 of 3, with a focus on varied instructional strategies. In your Lesson Plan, be sure to consider pre-assessment, students with special needs, varied learning styles, and student and teacher centered activities. Use Web2.0 tool(s) when appropriate. Tools: Post and overview these Tasks in your Ed556-Blog and link to the Docs.

Session 5, Wed, Oct. 1

Onsite visitation of a school that exemplifies the integration of technology throughout the curriculum, carefully aligning with both the student and teacher NETS standards. Tasks: Task 5-1 Summarize your observations Textbook: Read pgs 164-194 (1st Days of School). Classroom Mgn. Tools: Post and overview these Tasks in your Ed556-Blog and link to the Docs.

Session 4, Wed. Sept 25

Discuss, reflect and enhance Task 3-1 and 3-2 Textbook: Read pgs 125-164 (Tch. Sec/Middle School). Preparing an Instructional Plan. Read pgs 121-150 (1st Days of School). Classroom Mgn. Tasks: Task 4-1 Web2.0 and Emerging Technologies in Education; Rethinking our Schools Task 4-2 Web2.0 Tool Proficiency. Select and become competent using one of the Web2.0 tools that will enhance the quality of your instruction. Tools: Google Docs or Presentation (slides). Post overview and link in your Ed556-Blog.

Session 3, Wed. Sept 17

Discuss, reflect, and enhance Tasks 2-1 to 2-3 Textbook: Read pgs 91-121 (Tch. Sec/Middle School). Selecting Content and Preparing Goals & Objectives. Read pgs 80-120 (1st Days of School). Classroom Mgn. Tasks: Task 3-1 Articulate your personal Technology Education biography, and reflect on how your own journey will impact your teaching. Task 3-2 Research and summarize the NETS standards for students and teachers. Task 3-3 Your school principal wants to pay you big bucks to create a mini-unit titled Technology Literacy for all Students. Submit your proposal by describing the goals in column one, the objectives in column two, and the relevant NETS standards in column three. The time allotted is 45 minutes per day for at least three (3) Lessons. No need to do a full lesson plan at this point in time --- just the overall Goals and Objectives. Tools: Google Docs or Presentation (slides). Post overview and link in your Ed556-Blog.

Session 2, Wed. Sept 10

Discuss, reflect, and enhance Tasks 1-1 to 1-3 Textbook: Overview of The First Days of School by Harry Wong. (Mr. J's notes) Tasks: Task 2-1 Getting to know your students. Discuss techniques and activities that one can use to build community in a new classroom. This includes getting to know each others names, interesting facts about students, etc. Task 2-2 Read pgs 74-87 and reflect/respond to a variety of behavior scenarios. Task 2-3 Create a 1st week of school survival guide (use a variety of resources) Tools: Post and overview these Tasks in your Ed556-Blog and link to the Docs.

Session 1, Wed. Sept 3

Introduction; review course syllabus; Communication: Hand-on activity with Gmail, GFU-Ed556 Blog and Google Docs Textbooks: Teaching in the Middle and Secondary Schools By Richard d Kellough and Jioanna Carjuzaa 8th edition, ISBN: 0-13-119373-2 The First Days of School: How to Be an Effective Teacher (Paperback) By Harry K. Wong (Author), Rosemary T. Wong (Author). Used Amazon Tasks: Read pgs 55-74. Overview of Part 2, Planning for Instruction, Establishing and maintaining a safe and supportive classroom learning environment. Task 1-1 Interview teacher- classroom mgn. system Task 1-2 Create a usable, comprehensive plan for establishing and maintaining an effective learning environment. Task 1-3 The first 5 minutes (beginning a class). Task 1-4 Begin a personal Ed556 Blog (log of experiences and links to submitted Tasks, etc.). Share with instructor (Public or Private -> student choice) Tools: Post and overview these Tasks in your Ed556-Blog and link to the Docs.

Course Goals

The student will:

• Refine and apply personal philosophical and/or theoretical perspectives regarding the use of technology in education.
• Demonstrate ability to plan instructional units in the subject area, including:
  Using State benchmarks standards as a guide, and Using NETS (national technology literacy standards).
  
• Giving due consideration to individual student needs, varied learning styles and current best practices.
• Create a usable, comprehensive plan for establishing and maintaining an effective learning environment.
• Compile a collection of instructional resources to aid in planning and teaching, including:
  lesson plans, unit designs, integrative units, small group activities, authentic experiences, classroom discussion, student and teacher directed instruction, and authentic assessment.
• Demonstrate knowledge of assessment strategies specific to the content area(s).
• Research current eLearning resources and apply to face-to-face as well as distance education scenarios. Focus on Web2.0 tools.
  
• Develop an understanding and need for promoting justice for all students, thinking critically, and transforming their own practice so to insure their own professional growth as well as increasing the quality of life in the classroom.

Required Course Textbook

• Teaching in the Middle and Secondary Schools
  By Richard d Kellough and Jioanna Carjuzaa
  8^th edition, ISBN: 0-13-119373-2

• The First Days of School: How to Be an Effective Teacher (Paperback). Amazon (used for $7). By Harry K. Wong (Author), Rosemary T. Wong (Author)