Course Description: This course provides an overview of key theories, principles, and approaches to instructional technology across the curriculum. Students design projects for implementation in their classrooms or other educational settings.  The emphasis of the course is on inquiry and project-based approaches to curriculum development. This is the recommended course for candidates who have already developed expertise using a variety of educational technologies.

Rationale:   By understanding the theories driving instructional technology use in the curriculum, teachers learn how to design powerful learning environments for their students. 

Course Description: This course provides an overview of key theories, principles, and approaches to instructional technology across the curriculum. Students design projects for implementation in their classrooms or other educational settings.  The emphasis of the course is on inquiry and project-based approaches to curriculum development. This is the recommended course for candidates who have already developed expertise using a variety of educational technologies.

Rationale:   By understanding the theories driving instructional technology use in the curriculum, teachers learn how to design powerful learning environments for their students. 

Course Objectives:  

Teachers who complete this course will be able to:

--Apply principles of learning theory when integrating technology in the curriculum. 

--Apply principles of instructional technology when designing lessons or units that integrate technology.

--Design and implement technologically rich standards-based units or projects that use inquiry and/or project-based learning.

--Assess technology-rich lessons and units to determine whether technology is used to transform instruction or to enhance student learning.

--Assess student learning using rubrics that identify the extent to which students have achieved lesson or project goals.

Teaching Methods and Course Activities:

Project Proposal with Essential Questions 

WebQuest Project  

Demonstration of how to teach a specific technology application (including a one page “job aid” instruction guide on selected technology)

Lesson or Unit Plan 

Implementation of Lesson  

Project Portfolio  

Basis for Student Evaluation:

Rubrics will be used assess each of the assigned course tasks.  

Project Portfolio (proposal, unit, and follow-up report) (75%) 

Activities related to WebQuest  (15%) 

Demonstration (with one page handout) on Selected Technology Skill (5%)

Participation in additional class activities  (5%)

Bibliography and Resources:

Bransford, John, Ann L. Brown, & Rodney R. Cocking, eds. How People  Learn: Brain, Mind, Experience, and School. National Academy Press: Washington, D.C. 1999. (See Chapter 9, “Using Technology to Support Learning”)

Kirkpatrick, Heather and Larry Cuban. “ Computers Make Kids  Smarter - Right?” In Technos: Quarterly For Education and Technology,7:2 (Summer  1998).

Mergendoller, John. Project-Based Learning Handbook. Buck Institute for Education. 2002.

New Maps for Technology in Teacher  Education: After Standards, Then What?  (2003).  http://www.bankstreet.edu/gems/cutet/NewMaps.pdf