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Syllabus
Spring 2009

Instructor Dr. Barbara Schroeder
Email

bschroed@boisestate.edu

Course Location http://edtech.mrooms.org/course/view.php?id=26
Office E326
Office Hours Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, from 10 to 11:40 (Mountain Time)
Phone (208) 426-3831
Virtual Office http://edtech.na3.acrobat.com/barbaraoffice
Google Talk bschroed@boisestate.edu
Technology Teacher Blog http://itcboisestate.wordpress.com

Course Overview
In this course you will be applying multimedia learning principles to software of your choice, demonstrating proficiency in multimedia learning principles, as well as creating worked examples to enhance far-transfer of knowledge. These mini-projects could easily be combined and segmented into a powerful e-learning course for teachers on how to use multimedia principles in teaching and learning.

AECT Course Objectives
In this course, you will:

  1. Utilize and implement design principles which specify optimal conditions for learning.
  2. Create instructional plans (micro-level design) that address the needs of all learners, including appropriate accommodations for learners with special needs.
  3. Produce instructional materials which require the use of multiple media.
  4. Demonstrate personal skill development with at least one: computer authoring application, video tool, or electronic communication application.
  5. Apply principles of educational psychology, communications theory, and visual literacy to the development of instructional messages specific to the learning task.
  6. Understand, recognize and apply basic principles of message design in the development of a variety of communications with their learners.
  7. Select appropriate media to produce effective learning environments using technology resources.
  8. Use appropriate analog and digital productivity tools to develop instructional and professional products.
  9. Apply instructional design principles to select appropriate technological tools for the development of instructional and professional products.
  10. Apply appropriate learning and psychological theories to the selection of appropriate technological tools and to the development of instructional and professional products.
  11. Use presentation application software to produce presentations and supplementary materials for instructional and professional purposes.
  12. Produce instructional and professional products using various aspects of integrated application programs.
  13. Apply principles of visual and media literacy for the development and production of instructional and professional materials and products.
  14. Design and produce audio/video instructional materials which use computer-based technologies.
  15. Design, produce, and use digital information with computer-based technologies.
  16. Use authoring tools to create effective hypermedia/multimedia instructional materials or products.
  17. Develop and prepare instructional materials and products for various distance education delivery technologies.
  18. Develop effective Web pages with appropriate links using various technological tools.
  19. Identify and apply copyright and fair use guidelines within practice.
(The assignments in this course have been aligned to the Standards for the Accreditation of School Media Specialist and Educational Technology Programs: http://www.aect-members.org/standards/standards2004.doc)

Entry Level Skills
In order to do your best in this course, you should know how to use Adobe Dreamweaver CS4 (or an earlier version) and how to create and publish web pages. You should have already taken Internet for Educators and have a website created on our edtech2 server. If you do NOT have these skills, please let me know ASAP so we can plan for your success: bschroed@boisestate.edu

Important Dates: Academic Calendar, Spring 2009

January 20, Tuesday Classes begin
January 26, Monday Last day for faculty initiated drops for nonattendance during the first week of the semester to be turned in to the Registrar's Office
February 2, Monday

Last day to register; add classes
Last day to waive student health insurance

February 16, Monday President's Day Holiday (no classes - University offices closed)
March 2, Monday Last day to drop classes or completely withdraw from the Regular session
March 23 - 29, Mon - Sun Spring Vacation
May 11 - 14, Mon - Thurs Final semester examinations for the Regular session
May 16, Saturday Commencement
May 19, Tuesday Grade reports due to Registrar's Office by Noon

Required Textbook
e-Learning and the Science of Instruction: Proven Guidelines for Consumers and Designers of Multimedia Learning, 2nd Edition
Authors: Ruth Colvin Clark, Richard E. Mayer
ISBN: 978-0-7879-8683-4
Hardcover
496 pages

Books for this class may be ordered online from:

Boise State University Bookstore: http://www.boisestatebooks.com
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com

Software Requirements
Current software requirements for the EDTECH program: http://edtech.boisestate.edu/web/hardware.htm

Additionally, specific software/hardware is required for EDTECH 513. Please make sure you have the software and hardware necessary for this course.

Please do not pay full price for your software!!! An academic discount is available for students and teachers with proof of eligibility. The academic price shaves hundreds of dollars from the original cost.

Here are two places where you can obtain the academic (lower priced) versions of the software:

Antivirus Software
Please make sure to have up to date antivirus software installed and running on your computer.

Popup Blocker
This is highly recommended. Google has one built into their free toolbar if you want to try it: http://toolbar.google.com/T4/index_pack.html

Free Software
Please make sure that the following are installed and up to date on your computer.

Internet Connection
Of course, an Internet connection is required to participate in this online course. If you have a high speed connection it is preferable to dial-up access. If you only have dial-up access you can still get by, but patience is a virtue when waiting for files to download.

Graded Assignments/Points

Description

Points

7 Discussion Board Postings @ 5 points each

35

Multimedia Learning Home Page

15

Multimedia & Contiguity Mini-Project

50

Modality & Redundancy Mini-Project

50

Digital Storytelling Mini-Project

50

Pre-Training Mini-Project
50

Worked Examples Mini-Project

50

Total Points

300

  • Expect feedback and grades on your mini-projects within a week of the due date.
  • In order for me to be efficient in this class, it is important you complete assignments on time. If you are unable to do so, please email me so we can mutually work it out.
  • All assignment due dates are posted, but normally fall on midnight, Tuesdays.

Time Management
It is a good idea to schedule specific times to work on your assignments each week and keep the appointment with yourself. Plan to spend 8 - 15 hours per week on this class. The amount of time actually needed will depend on entry-level skills. It is in your best interest to start early on each assignment to give yourself time to fix technical problems or get help before the due date passes.

Grades
You can check your grades in Moodle by clicking the “Grades” link on the left-hand navigation bar. Grades are updated as assignments are scored throughout the semester. Grades at the end of the course will be determined by the point scale shown in the table below:

Point Scale for Final Grades

Points

Letter Score

270 - 300

A

240 - 269

B

210 - 239

C

180 - 209

D

<180

F

If the cost of this course is being reimbursed by your district or school, please review the policies regarding the minimum grade required for a complete reimbursement. It is not the responsibility of the instructor to assure a grade that meets those requirements.

Technical Difficulties
On occasion, you may experience problems with accessing Moodle, with your Internet service, and/or other computer related problems. Do make the instructor aware if a technical problem prevents you from completing coursework.

Course Policies

Time Management
An online course can take a considerable amount of time. For this reason, I would strongly suggest beginning each assignment early. Work on it regularly over the week rather than waiting until the last day or two. This will allow you to have the chance to work out problems or get help if needed.

Participation
Depending on the class activities, you are responsible for completing weekly assignments, participating in discussion groups, and checking in to the course site on a consistent basis.

Assignments
You will always be given explicit instructions on where to send your assignments. Assignments are usually due on a weekly basis – the exact dates will always be found in the activities. If you wish to complete an assignment prior to the due date, you may (however, a group assignment must be completed during the week assigned OR upon approval of every member of the group). I DO NOT ACCEPT LATE ASSIGNMENTS. PLEASE BE AWARE OF THIS POLICY AND SUBMIT YOUR WORK ON TIME.

Faculty Initiated Drop
Please be advised that if you do not attend class at least once during the first week, I will drop you from class.

Incompletes
Please be advised that I strictly follow the rules for incompletes. In order for me to give you an incomplete in this course, the following two criteria MUST be met:

  1. Your work has been satisfactory up to the last three weeks of the semester.
  2. Extenuating circumstances make it impossible for you to complete the course before the end of the semester.

In order to receive an incomplete, we must create a contract stipulating the work you must do and the time in which it must be completed for you to receive a grade in the class. The contract time may not exceed one year. If no grade other than incomplete has been assigned one year after the original incomplete, the grade of 'F' will automatically be assigned. The grade of 'F' may not be changed without the approval of the University Appeals Committee. You may not remove the incomplete from your transcript by re-enrolling in the class during another semester. A grade of incomplete is excluded from GPA calculations until you receive a final grade in the course. If I assign a grade of incomplete you will received an email notification that you have "Registrar To Do Items" on BroncoWeb.

Student Code of Conduct
It is expected that students in this class will create original works for each assignment. We will follow the BSU Student Code of Conduct. In the event of academic dishonesty a complaint is filed with the BSU Student Conduct Office with supporting documentation. This complaint remains on file and actions may be taken against the student (e.g., loss or credit, grade reduction, expulsion, etc.).

We will also observe U.S. copyright laws in this course. Several great links to copyright information are available on the BSU Academic Technologies site at: http://itc.boisestate.edu/resource.htm. Also, please be aware of the Creative Commons licenses and how they can be used to protect, share, and distribute materials.

In addition to the above, please respect the following guidelines:

  • Please submit original work for each project. Projects that were created for other classes may not be submitted for credit in EDTECH 504. Each project may only be submitted for credit one time by the person who created it. The BSU Student Code of Conduct states: "Academic dishonesty also includes submitting substantial portions of the same academic course work to more than one course for credit without prior permission of the instructor(s)."
  • All project text should be original text written by the student who is creating the project. The exception to this is the use of small amounts of quoted material that is properly cited. Copying and pasting from other Web sites or projects (including the instructor's examples) is not allowed.
  • Images and sound clips used in projects should be original, or used with permission of the owner, or come from the public domain. Please check “terms of use” on sites containing these items.
  • Please cite the source(s) for materials that are obtained for your projects unless they are created by you. If permission is granted for use of copyrighted materials please post a statement explaining that near those materials. occasionally use Blackboard "Safe Assignment" and other plagiarism detection utilities to test random assignments.

Thank you for abiding by the Course Policies.

Reasonable Accommodations
Any student who feels s/he may need accommodations based on the impact of a disability should contact me privately to discuss your specific needs. You will also need to contact the Disability Resource Center at 208-426-1583 located in the Administration Building, room 114 to meet with a specialist and coordinate reasonable accommodations for any documented disability.

College of Education - The Professional Educator
Boise State University strives to develop knowledgeable educators who integrate complex roles and dispositions in the service of diverse communities of learners. Believing that all children, adolescents, and adults can learn, educators dedicate themselves to supporting that learning. Using effective approaches that promote high levels of student achievement, educators create environments that prepare learners to be citizens who contribute to a complex world. Educators serve learners as reflective practitioners, scholars and artists, problem solvers, and partners.

Department of Educational Technology Mission
The Department of Educational Technology supports the study and practice of facilitating and improving learning of a diverse population by creating, using, managing, and evaluating appropriate technological processes and resources. Believing technology is a tool that enhances and expands the educational environment, we promote the use of current and emergent technologies for teaching and learning in a dynamic global society. Educational technologists are leaders and innovators, serving in institutions of higher education, public or private school settings, federal, state, or local educational agencies, and educational organizations in the private sector.
How to Get Help:

Need Help? If you have questions or need help please contact your instructor by phone, email, or by posting a note on the class discussion board. I will do my best to respond within 24 hours on weekdays. Weekend messages will be answered on Mondays by the end of the day.

Modification of the Syllabus and Schedule
I reserve the right to modify the syllabus and schedule at any time. Notice of any change will be emailed and posted as an announcement.