Syllabus

The BGSU goal is to empower our educator candidates to act in various capacities to positively impact the future of learners, clients and colleagues. Toward that end, we hold the following statements as guiding core concepts:
P =An effective educator is broadly and thoroughly prepared.
R =An effective educator is a reflective practitioner.
E =An effective educator is actively engaged within the broad educational community.
P =An effective educator is foremost a professional, with a lifelong commitment to learning and to all learners.

Course Description: Developmentally appropriate practices in integrating computer technologies in the early childhood curriculum. Evaluation of digital resources, including software for early childhood classrooms and assistive technologies. Exploration and critical analysis of issues related to digital technologies in education. Prerequisites: EDFI 301 or EDFI 302 and Junior standing. Credit not given for more than one of EDTL 302 and EDTL 303. Extra fee. 
Course Aim: To introduce the teacher candidates to applications of technology in early childhood classrooms and to begin a deep examination of issues surrounding the use of classroom technologies in early childhood education.   

DISPOSITIONS

Professionalism

• It is expected that you will demonstrate professionalism throughout this course/experience. For educator candidates and educator personnel participating in professional development activities this means compliance with the BGSU Academic and Student Codes of Conduct (see Student Handbook) as well as evidencing accepted behaviors and attitudes appropriate to the educational circumstances, including but not limited to punctuality, personal appearance (dress, hygiene, etc.), speech, preparation, and/or quality of work.
• As a professional, it is your responsibility to pursue remediation of any deficits revealed in your performance on Key Assessment(s) assignments completed as part of this course.

Technology

Aspects of this course require evidence of students’ technology competency and utilization. Should you encounter difficulties with technology knowledge/skills it is your responsibility to consult with the instructor and/or assistants in the student technology center.

Diversity/Exceptionality

• Any student who requires accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss specific needs.
• Educator candidates/professionals are expected to respect all individuals, regardless of characteristics or background, and endeavor to accommodate communications and actions to learning differences arising from cultural, linguistic, and disability origins.

Collaboration

• During course lectures, activities, and field assignments, you will be expected to work and communicate with faculty, other students, and school/agency partners in an effective, collegial, and professional manner at all times.

Required Texts:
1. Integrating Educational Technology into the Teaching by M.D. Roblyer is our text. We are using the FOURTH EDITION. The web site which correlates to the book is:
http://wps.prenhall.com/chet_roblyer_integrate_4

Computer Disks:
You will need to purchase at least one 128 MB or 256 MB disk-on-key to back up data from your Mac lab work; 3 1/2" floppy diskettes and Zip disks may also be used, but USB drives must be checked out to access these disks on our workstations. Disks may be Mac or Windows. Label your media with your name and your bgnet User ID. Disks-on-key are cross-platform, but read the descriptions carefully, before purchasing.

Digital Video Media:
You will need a Mini DV Tape and a blank DVD-R for your digital video project.

Binder:
A three-ring binder with pockets will be useful in keeping class handouts and printouts from this web site.

Personal Web Server Access:
To explore the educational importance of the WWW we will develop webpages in class. To put these pages on the WWW, each member of the class must have an account on a BGSU server . You must have this account by the second class period. You can set up your Web Server account by going into Blackboard (my.bgsu.edu) and clicking on "Add Server Account" under "My Computer Accounts."

For additional help with BGSU's Technology Resources see StudentTech.

Completing Assignments:
Assignments will be done in class and on your own time. Expect to spend an average of six to nine hours outside of class time each week to practice your skills and work on assignments. For most assignments, you will need to have access to a Mac or Windows computer and the applications we are learning in class. Computers for your use are available in a number of labs on campus. To find out what labs are available on campus click here. To find out about computers available in residence halls click here.

Professionalism
It is expected that you will demonstrate professionalism throughout this course/experience. For educator candidates this means compliance with the BGSU Student Code of Ethics and Conduct (http://www.bgsu.edu/offices/sa/book/Student_Handbook.pdf)) as well as evidencing accepted behaviors and attitudes appropriate to the educational circumstances, including but not limited to punctuality, personal appearance (dress, hygiene etc), speech, preparation, quality of work etc.

As a professional, it is your responsibility to pursue remediation of any deficits revealed in your performance on Key Assessment(s) assignments completed as part of this course.

Diversity/Exceptionality
Any student who requires accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss specific needs. Students with disabilities must verify their eligibility through the Office of Disability Services for Students, 413 South Hall, 419-372-8495. (http://www.bgsu.edu/offices/sa/disability/index.html)

Educator candidates are expected to respect all individuals, regardless of characteristics or background, and endeavor to accommodate communications and actions to learning differences arising from cultural, linguistic and disability origins.

Religious Holidays
It is the policy of the University to make every reasonable effort allowing students to observe their religious holidays without academic penalty. In such cases, it is the obligation of the student to provide the instructor with reasonable notice of the dates of religious holidays on which he or she will be absent. Absence from classes or examinations for religious reasons does not relieve the student of responsibility for completing required work missed. Following the necessary notification, the student should consult with the instructor to determine what appropriate alternative opportunity will be provided, allowing the student to fully complete his or her academic responsibilities. (As stated in The Academic Charter, B-II.G-4.b at: http://www.bgsu.edu/downloads/file919.pdf)

Collaboration:
I strongly encourage you to help each other through this course. However, except for team projects, the work you submit must be your own. Any student found submitting work completed by someone else will receive a score of zero for that assignment, and may receive an F for the course. See BGSU's Academic Honesty Policy for more information.

During course lectures, activities and field assignments, you will be expected to work and communicate with faculty, other students and school/agency partners in an effective collegial and professional manner at all times.

Due Dates:
Assignments are due at the start of class unless otherwise indicated. Assignments turned in after the beginning of class on the due date are penalized 10% (tardiness to class is not a valid exception). Assignments turned in after the due date are penalized 10% for each day late, until a maximum penalty of 50% is assessed. This is not intended as a punishment, but to maintain fairness in evaluating work, and to establish a professional climate in the classroom. Assignments may be turned in for half credit until the last week of the semester.

Finally, just a word of warning to those who may have never experienced assignments in a computer-based course... Start your assignments early!!

Computer Lab Policy:
Food and drink are NOT permitted in the computer labs.

Your grade will be on a point scale. The exact point distribution is on the Projects and Readings web pages.

To figure out what letter grade you have, simply divide the number of points you have by the total number of points available. For instance, if you have earned 300 points out of a possible 400 points: 300/400 = 75%.

The following scale will be used to determine grades: