Towson University - College of Education - Instructional Technology Program
Information
Course Description
This course is an introduction to accessing, evaluating, and communicating information. Emphasis will be on communication skills, team-building strategies, problem-solving techniques, creative thinking skills, and professional ethics. Students will learn how to use information technology in addition to traditional sources of information to examine current issues in education and develop lifelong learning skills.
Students will:
Required Texts:
Course Methodology:
Although this course meets in a computer lab, it is NOT a computer skills course. Therefore, you will need to improve your computing skills outside of class as much as possible. There will be four seminars conducted by the resource librarian which will introduce students to computer applications that are necessary for accessing various information resources. The instructor will also demonstrate basic computing skills to facilitate the use of computer applications in the "smart classroom". However students are expected to practice word processing skills, electronic mail, internet access and world wide web searching on their own.
During class time, the instructor will provide some lecturing on specific course topics, technical demonstrations, hands-on activities that are mostly computer related, and lots of team work and class discussion.
Learning opportunities will be available for both the beginning and advanced students through required and optional assignments. No prerequisites are required for this class.
Class Policies
All students are required to secure an email account during the first week of classes. You must go to Cook library, room 5 and request the account in person. Allow one week for the account to be issued. After obtaining the account, you must activate the account on your own, and not during class time.
Activating the account involves finding a computer on campus (there are computer labs in Cook, Smith, Linthicum, and Hawkins Hall), logging-on (entering your account information), changing your password, and reading the university policy on the use of email. Instructions on this procedure will be provided with your account information. You will also get help on this during the email seminar on Sseptember 15th (see outline). Therefore you should have your email account information by that date!
Each student is required to purchase two 3&1/2 inch, high density computer disks, formatted for IBM compatibles. You must also purchase a disk case or cover to protect the disks from damage. You should bring those disks with you to class each time.
Each student must have a valid TSU library user number no later than September 22.
Students are expected to attend all classes. Students are permitted two absences (excused or unexcused) during the semester. More than two absences will result in the loss of 50% of the class participation grade (this normally results in at least a drop of one letter grade for the final grade). In any case, students are responsible for all work assigned at each class period and any assignments lose at least 5% for each calendar day that they are late.
Any instance of cheating on an examination will result in a grade of zero for that particular test. Any instance of plagiarism will result in a grade of zero for that particular paper.
Each student's point accumulation will be converted to a percentage of the maximum total number of points possible (200) and a grade will be determined using the standard 10-point scale, in which 90% and above is A, 80-89% is B, 70-79% is C, 60-69% is D, and 59% and below is F. Points may be earned as follows:
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60 points |
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In-class assignments |
20 points |
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Class participation and attendance |
10 points |
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Team participation |
20 points |
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Team presentation |
20 points |
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Midterm |
20 points |
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Final |
20 points |
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Final Research Paper |
30 points |
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Total Points |
200 points |
All students are encouraged to develop and propose an optional assignment. Optional assignments earn extra credit (up to 20 points) or they can take the place of the final exam. An example of an optional assignment might include building a homepage on the world wide web, developing an extensive software review in a particular area such as math or social studies, becoming a class expert on a particular software package such as Power Point and providing free consultation and assistance to all class members or presenting a demonstration on what the software does and how to use it.
In order to exempt the final exam, the optional project must be submitted to the professor for approval at least two weeks prior to the date of the midterm (see outline). For extra credit, the optional project must be proposed at least six weeks prior to the final class period.
An incomplete grade ("I") is given when, for health reasons, a student is unable to complete the requirements of the course. An incomplete grade can be granted only for verified health reasons or for documented circumstances beyond the control of the student.
Tentative Class Schedule and Assignments
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Tuesday September 1
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Tuesday October 27
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Thursday September 3
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Thursday October 29
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Tuesday September 8
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Tuesday November 3
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Thursday September 10
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Thursday November 5
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Tuesday September 15
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Tuesday November 10
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Thursday September 17
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Thursday November 12
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Tuesday September 22
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Tuesday November 17
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Thursday September 24
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Thursday November 19
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Tuesday September 29
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Tuesday November 24
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Thursday October 1
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Thursday November 26 No Class - Thanksgiving
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Tuesday October 6
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Tuesday December 1
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Thursday October 8
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Thursday December 3
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Tuesday October 13
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Tuesday December 8
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Thursday October 15
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Thursday December 10
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Tuesday October 20
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FINAL EXAM
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Thursday October 22
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