::: The EdTech Advantage :::

• “Integrating Handhelds into the Curriculum”
• Spring 2006 – January to April
• Group A: Tuesdays (St. John’s LINUX Lab or L.S. 19 & 20)
  
• Group B: Saturdays (St. John’s LINUX Lab or L.S. 19 & 20)
• Graduate Credit = 4

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General Objectives

• Students will learn to use various handheld software applications.
• Students will study and analyze issues related to using handheld computers in schools
• Students will become aware of the many handheld applications appropriate for education.
• Students will apply strategies for handheld use in learning environments.
• Students will develop a handheld-infused lesson plan for students.

Course Outline We’ll do our best to have 12 meetings.

1. Introductions & Blog Creation – 1st Assignment – Blogging
2. Discussion on Why Handhelds in Teaching and Learning – Survey of Presentation Software and Hardware; SplashBlogs — Assignment Reminders
3. Palm Handheld Review, Applications for Teachers & eBooks; Books, Publications, and Web Resources
4. Making eBooks, Survey of PALM Word Processors, & Printing Programs (need computers), SmartList to Go
5. Quizzler & Lesson Plan Examples (SmartList to Go)
6. Downloading and Installing Software – Sync / BlueTooth loading, Backup Programs (SD)
7. Concept Mapping & Novii Animator
8. Various Curriculum Software – Math, Science, Lang. Arts, etc., Web Pages & Troubleshooting
9. Classroom Management, Various Activities & Grant Research and Writing
10. Lesson Plan Sharing
11. Student & Teacher Interviews, Planning for Expansion in SJS

Course Requirements

• 12% Attendance
• 40% Assignments
• 18% Blog
• 30% Lesson Plan

Grading Scale

• A+ = 97-100
• A = 93-96
• A- = 90-92
• B+ = 87-89
• B = 83-86
• B- = 80-82
• C+ = 77-79
• C = 73-76
• C- = 70-72

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Assignments:

Forty percent of your grade will come from assignments. You may mix-and-match assignments to total up to 58 points. Everyone will have to submit the first and second assignments – “Roving Reporter” and “Blog Creation and Maintenance. ”The assignment choices are listed below. Also listed is the amount of points you could earn, the dates that topics will be introduced and due dates will be discussed later.

• 6 points – Roving Reporter

• Due: One week after your assigned date

• One class participant will be the Roving Reporter each session. The Roving Reporter will take digital photos. The reporter will also write an article telling about the experiences and learning that took place during that class session. There should be at least 6 photos and an article of at least 600 words.

6 points – Blogging

• Due: At first meeting on blogging.

6 points – Article Review

• Read one article on the web about using handhelds in education. Write a summary of the article and your reaction. Have at least 400 words. Post the article review in your blog.

6 points – Giraffe

• Play the game Giraffe on your handheld to practice Graffiti text entry. Giraffe keeps track of your high scores. Earn a high score of at least 1,400. Save the high score to show Rolly.

6 points – Built-In Applications

• List and explain ways how the Address Book, Date Book, Memo Pad, To Do List, and Note Pad applications can be used for teaching and learning. Come up with creative and specific uses and record them in your blog.

12 points – Teacher Interview

• Conduct an interview in personal, by phone, or by email with a teacher who uses handhelds with students. Create a post in your blog about the interview of at least 600 words. Introduce yourself then preface the request by saying it’s for a graduate class on handhelds, etc.

8 points – SEIRTEC eBook

• Read the eBook Using Handheld Technology in Schools by SEIRTEC Newswire. Blog about at least ten new things you learned from the eBook, including your experiences using eReader.

6 points – NoviiAnimator

• Create a sample NoviiAnimator animation a student might create in your classroom to demonstrate a concept in your curriculum. Include at least 20 slides and share with the class.

8 points – Quizzler

• Create a Quizzler about a subject you teach or about handheld computing. Include at least 20 multiple choice questions. Turn in a print out of the Memo Pad document listing all of your questions.

8 points – Downloaded Application

• Download and install a Palm application from the internet. Use the application. Blog about how you could integrate this software in teaching or learning. Share the application with the class. Don’t use applications on the list that Rolly gave you on SD card or others that he beams you in class.

4 points – Web Discussion

• Post your response to a question or post a new subject in one of the handheld discussion forums here in this Moodle course. Print your response.

10 points – Student Interview – To Be Added…

10 points – Self-directed assignment – consult with Rolly.

REQUIRED ASSIGNMENT:  10 points – Create your own eBook.  (See my separate blog entry on this.)

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Blog Evaluation

As a reflection and assessment tool, you will keep an ongoing blog (“weblog”). In this online journal, you will share your thoughts, insights, questions, web links, and ideas about what was learned in each class session. You will also respond to other classmates’ blogs by posting comments. Below are guidelines for the evaluation of your blog.
Posts & Comments

• There are at least 12 posts in the blog, each with at least 200 words. At least 6 comments have been made in classmates’ blogs. Each comment is at least 75 words.

• Excellent
• Satisfactory
• Unsatisfactory

Timeliness

• A post is added to the blog within a week of each class session.

• Excellent
• Satisfactory
• Unsatisfactory

Personal Examples

• Blog posts and comments share personal connections to class content and discussion about teaching, learning, and/or handhelds.

• Excellent
• Satisfactory
• Unsatisfactory

Writing Standards

• The writing is clear, concise, and easy to understand. Ideas and responses are communicated clearly and coherently.

• Excellent
• Satisfactory
• Unsatisfactory

Overall Evaluation

• Consider the four areas above and evaluate the blog as a whole.

• Overall:

• Excellent = 18/18 points
• Satisfactory = 14/18 points
• Unsatisfactory = 9/18 points

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Lesson Plan

Thirty points of your grade will come from your handheld-infused lesson plan. The lesson plan is due on (TBA).You will share your lesson with the class (demonstrate to the class). Also, your lesson will be posted on the www.edtechworld.com web site. The text of your lesson will be turned in electronically by email or handheld beaming.

Required Components

• Title – Accurate and concise
• Author – Your name. You may optionally include your e-mail address
• Activity Summary – 1 to 3 sentences briefly explaining the lesson
• Content Area
• Grade Level(s)
• Required Handheld Software – List web addresses to download the software
• Other Technology or Materials Required
• Goals of the Lesson – What the students will be able to know and do.
• Procedures – List step-by-step.

Tips

• Sample lesson plans can be found on www.learninginhand.com/lessonplans.html
• When typing your lesson, please don’t use any advanced formatting. It’s easier for Rolly to copy and paste from unformatted text.
• Handheld applications are proper nouns. Remember to capitalize them.
• Use comments in italics to give other teachers notes and tips about the lesson.
• Palm is a proper noun. Remember to capitalize it.
• Give Rolly a draft of your lesson plan ahead of time for feedback.
• Included handouts for students can be paper handouts or digital handouts for beaming to student handhelds. Paper handouts need to be in AppleWorks, Word, or PDF formats.
• Slide shows may be in KeyNote or PowerPoint format.
• Print out your lesson plan to turn in on (TBA).
• 3 points per day will be subtracted for late lesson plans.
• Unfortunately, no more than 30 points from your lesson plan will count toward your final course grade.

***Course information and rubrics above are from Tony Vincent’s web site.