Teaching with Technology

Welcome to Teaching with Technology! My name is Dr. Shannon Cotnam and I'll be your instructor for the course. I’m looking forward to working with you all. Let me take a moment to explain how the course will work, and what will be expected of you this semester.

The focus of this class is learning to use and integrate technology in your classes.

The class will be taught entirely online. I am actually in Savannah GA, so all our contact will be though discussion boards, email, instant messenger, and phone if necessary.

If at some point you decide you do need face-to-face help, we can arrange for an instructor to meet with you on-campus at ECU.

So, let's get started!

You'll need to purchase the textbook. Here's the information on that:

Integrating Technology for Meaningful Learning 5th Edition. By Mark and Cindy
Grabe (2007). The ISBN is 0-618-63701-X

Note: Clicking on the textbook image will take you to preview on Amazon.com. However, be aware that the book previewed on the Amazon site is the 3rd Edition. We will be using the 5th Edition for this course.

You'll need access to Microsoft Office and you'll also need to download a few free software programs in order to work from home. Finally, you might want to get one of these:

Flash drive - With the cheapest storing about 100X as much data as a floppy disk, these items are invaluable for storing files for all your classes. Inexpensive and portable, they are also called Thumb, USB, or Jump drives. Prices are based on storage capacity and start from $10 to $20.

GRADING PLAN: - The course will consist of 14 modules, which will include and culminate in an online professional portfolio. Your final grade for the course will be determined by the following:

9 Discussion Forums - In an online class, discussion boards are the way we come together as a class to learn. Your frequent and thoughtful participation is required

25%

18 Assignments - While all of your assignments will become part of your final portfolio for the class, they will each be graded on their own merit as they are completed.

50%

Portfolio - Your portfolio grade will be based on 3 major components:

Checklist - do you have all the requirements posted and do all your links work?
Content Quality - Is the work overall of a professional nature and representative of your best effort?
Presentation - Have you taken the time and mastered the technology necessary to make your portfolio visually appealing?

25%

This is a 2 Contact Hour course. That means that you will be expected to spend 2 hours per week on coursework in addition to any "homework". Please be sure to plan accordingly. Because this is an online course, it is especially important that you manage your time well.

Please take a look around the site. You will find the syllabus, schedule, and late work policy under Course Information.

Your first assignment is due , January 18. It can be found under Assignments > Module 1.

Please contact me if you have any questions or problems at cotnams@ecu.edu . My home number is 912-335-2675, but I will only be available at night.

Finally, if you already know how to use Instant Messenger, I'll be available in the evenings via Yahoo Instant Messenger. My username is drcotnam. If you do not know how to use IM, don't worry, you'll learn in this class!