Syllabus

Course Learning Activities

Week 1

• Activity 1 – Defining Digital Media Form

Always look at the Google detailed syllabus for the latest updates and details on lab assignments.

Class 1 (Sept. 11): Becoming a 21st Century Teacher

Note *** 1st class takes place on Monday, Sept. 11 and the last class on Thursday, Dec. 7

• Course overview (objectives, syllabus, assignments, etc.)
• To do’s:
  • Buy textbook access card at the bookstore (required).
  • Create your Mightybell account. Submit entry #1 (your BIO on Mightybell) before start the 2nd class
  • Read BEFORE next class chapter 1 (pp. 1-24) & Teaching the Right Stuff by Marc Prensky.
  • Download Inspiration before class 2. Make sure you download the right version (Desktop Version 9 for Mac or Windows ~ 30 day trial)
  • Download Google Chrome browser and Google Drive. Make sure you have a Gmail account
• Bring your laptop and/or tablet to every class. Be sure to have access to the textbook before class 2.
• Copy and paste the URL of you Bio (once posted) on the class Google submission form 1.

Class 2 (Sept. 18): Modeling with Technology / Issues and Trends (Inspiration & Twitter)

• Set up groups, Review class 1, showcase Transforming Wiki resource & complete Time Diary Survey & Twitter Activity
• Make sure you have read (and are prepared to discuss) chapter 1 & the Prensky article. I’ve linked chap. 1 of textbook due to mix-up in bookstore. Text is now in (loose-leafversion). For access card simply go to the cash & purchase the code for eversion of text.
• Submit reflection # 2 before start of the next class (Sept. 18 use this link to start the journal). Please spend about 30 minutes going over class wiki resources for chapter 1 (pick a couple of things that get your attention and comment on the weekly blog ~ ideally in a separate paragraph. Always reflect on the group discussion, readings and labs in your weekly blog. Tell me what you REALLY think. Informed opinions matter in this class. As well, I would mention when technology comes up in other classes ~ is it typically positive or negative?
• Send your weekly assignment using this Google submission form 1

Class 3 (Sept. 25): Community Building & Collaborating with Technologies

• Make sure you have read chap. 2 and pp. 280-288 (be prepared to discuss the following:
  • Excerpt from Hitchhikers and Couch Potatoes article.
  • Anderson-Inman, L. & Ditson, L. (1999). Computer-Based Mapping: A Tool for Negotiating Meaning. Learning & Leading With Technology, (Vol. 26, Num. 8), 6-13.
  • Resnick, M. (2002). Rethinking Learning in the Digital Age. The Global Information Technology Report: Readiness for the Networked World, edited by G. Kirkman, Oxford University Press.
• Review class 2 ~ Going Viral ~ Introduce major assignment (due week 7)
• Submit blog # 3 before start of the next class. Always reflect on the group discussion, readings and lab activities in your weekly blog. Tell me what you REALLY think. Informed opinions matter in this class. As well, I would mention when technology comes up in other classes ~ is it positive or negative?
• Send your weekly assignment using this Google submission form 1

Class 4 (Oct. 2): Community Building & Collaborating with Technologies (continued)

• Mini Quiz 1 (based on chap. 1, 2, 8)
• Make sure you have read chapter 8 (pp. 184-211) be prepared to discuss questions sent to you by your group leader; first half of the handout “Workshop Supplementary Handbook“ by Alan November. This is a good resource to use over the next couple of weeks; Twitter Handbook for Teachers by Powerful Learning Practice
• Visit course Transforming Wiki resource
• Lab assignment 3 (Favourites) done together in class with 2 partners. Send me the link. . Thinking about possible topics for Web Site Assignment (due class 7).
• Send your weekly assignment using this Google submission form.

No class on October 9 ~ Thanksgiving

Class 5 (Oct. 16): Inquiring with Technologies /Digital Citizenship (Hyperdocs ?)

• Make sure you have read (and are prepared to discuss) chapter 6 (pp. 130 -156) be prepared to discuss questions sent to you by your group leader at the start of class; 2nd half of November article: “Workshop Supplementary Handbook“ and Teacher Vision in the New Media Classroom” by John Elfrank-Dana.
• Send in the weekly blog and reflection, relate the readings to what I say, and with what we do in class and what you experience in other classes. Tell me what you ‘really’ think.
• Complete lab assignment 2 (About Me) & upload link on Google submission form. Submit the lab exercise (on your digital tattoo). Continue thinking about your website assignment or start it (due week 8~ must be 75% done). Maybe use use Inspiration to plan the layout of your site.
• Lab activities: Your Digital Life ~ Researching Online Activities of Teens ~ Your Digital Tatto0

Send your weekly assignment using this Google submission form 1

I may introduce Hyperdocs this semester

Class 6 (Oct. 23): Experimenting with Technologies (Gaming) / Exploring Problem Solving

• Make sure you have read chapter 5 (pp.102-129) be prepared to discuss the questions sent to you by your group leader & Is Google Making Us Stupid? by Nicolas Carr & Learning about Learning by Jan Gardner.
• Make sure you watch the followig video BEFORE CLASS be prepared to discuss in your group: Watch Douglas Kiang presentation “From Angry Birds to Minecraft"
• Major project (website) due next week.
• LAB: Hopefully we can have a lab on Minecraft if new version works. Try 4 or 5 educational web adventures and report your findings (what you like, disliked, etc.) in your blog. Some time given in class to work on major project alone or with partner. We will also look at 3rd World Farmer and Games for Change and Lure of the Labyrinth and Free Rice Virtual Reality Tour:http://www.mnh.si.edu/vtp/1-desktop/
• Send your weekly assignment using this Google submission form 1

Class 7 (Oct. 30): Writing With Technologies (Google Docs & Apps)

• Make sure you have read (and are prepared to discuss) chapter 7 (pp.157-183) & “Revealing the Elephant: The Use & Misuse of Computers in Education” by Alan Kay. If previous link does not work please Google the article.
• Submit your work through the Google submission form 2
• Send in weekly reflections, play with & visit sites mentioned in the book.
• As well play with all writing apps mentioned in class and the textbook. Links provided on Google Live syllabus
• Major Project DUE! (75 % done)

Class 8 (Nov. 6): Designing With Technologies (Coding)

• Mini Quiz 2 (based on chap. 5, 6, 7)
• Make sure you have read (and are prepared to discuss) chapter 10 (pp. 240-267) & Literature on the Web by Nancy Deal, Desktop Poetry Project: Producing a Middle School Journal” by Emily Scharf and Judith Cramer, Scaffolding for Struggling Students” by Sara Kajder and Glen Bull, Digital Profiles in Poetry” by Joanne Fortunato.
• Lab: Coding activity
• Submit your work through the Google submission form 2

Class 9 (Nov. 13): Visualizing & Expressing Creativity with Technologies (Presentation apps)

• Make sure you have read (and are prepared to discuss) chapter 7 (pp. 157-183) & Sowing The Seeds For A More Creative Society by Mitchel Resnick, Scratch Programming For All by Mitchel Resnick, Think Outside the Bots by Diane McGrath.
• Submit your work through the Google submission form 2
• Start thinking about your final presentation. The University of Houston Digital Storytelling Site has everything you need for your project (examples, software to download, storyboards, rubrics, etc.)

Class 10 (Nov. 20): Visualizing and Expressing Creativity cont’d (iMovie & Moviemaker)

• Make sure you have read (and are prepared to discuss in class) chapter 9 (pp. 212-239) &
  • Learning from PowerPoint: Is It Time for Teachers to Move On? Michelle Denise Miller, September 24, 2015.
  • “Fifteen/Developer Hacker Women to Follow on Twitter” & “Out of the Loop in Silicon Valley” by Claire Cain Miller & Hilary Mason’s response to article.
• Submit your work through the Google submission form 2
• Send in weekly reflection and create a collage with music and pictures (lab assignment 6b ~ collage). Next week please bring a digital camera.
• Please use the following resources (Storycenter, Podcasting for Teachers & Students ) to help you plan your final project. The University of Houston Digital Storytelling Site has everything you need for your project (examples, software to download, storyboards, rubrics, etc.)

Class 11 (Nov. 27): Multimodal Learning / Transforming Learning ~ Google Hangout (?)

• Make sure you have read (and are prepared to discuss in class: Digital Storytelling (Edutopia) Constructing Digital Stories by Kadger, Bull, & Albaugh. The Importance of Visual Literacy by Kadger, Bull, & Albaugh Digital Video Goes to School “ by Helen Hoffenberg and Marianne Handler. Technology & Special Needs and Learning Connections: November 08
• Complete live clip filming exercise (ex. 6c) and continue working on your final project.
• The University of Houston Digital Storytelling Site has everything you need (examples, software to download, storyboards, rubrics, etc.)
• Submit your work through the Google submission form 2

Class 12 (Dec. 4) Creating Change as Teacher Leaders

• Mini Quiz 1 (based on chap. 3, 9, 10, 12)
• Make sure you have read chapter 3 (52-57) & be prepared to discuss in class.
• Work on final presentation and catching up.
• Submit your work through the Google submission form 2

Class 13 (Dec. 7): Movie Night and wrap-up — class takes place on Thursday.

• Student Showcase and wrap-up (rubric to be used in class).
• Make sure you have read chapter 12 (pp. 294 -317) & be prepared to discuss in class.
• Be sure to send in blog #13 giving your views on the presentations by other students.
• Create a 14th blog titled ‘Final Presentation” and answer the following questions individually.
• Submit your work through the Google submission form 2