Syllabus

Calendar

Assignments

Blog

Digital Portfolios

Mr. Spurr's Schedule

Assignments

1. Class Attendance and In-Class Assignments: You will be expected to attend class and participate in discussions and complete a number of in-class assignments and activities during the semester.
2. Reading Assignments: There will be several reading assignments during the semester, particularly during the first half. Some of these will be printed copies of articles, and some will be online reading assignments. Most online reading assignments are in PDF format and require Adobe Acrobat Reader or equivalent to view.
3. Reflective Journal: See course calendar for due dates. Some of the journal entries will address specific questions asked by the instructor during class.
4. Reaction Papers: You will analyze current topics and issues that are related to the use of instructional technology in the classroom by reading articles and reacting to findings, issues, concerns, or remedies they suggest. A short discussion will follow after the assignment.
5. iSafe Assignment: This assignment will familiarize you with the general issue of Internet safety for students.
6. Exploring the use of video and graphics: This in-class activity will allow you to explore the use of video and graphics as instructional resources in the teaching and learning of science. In addition, this assignment provides you with experiences to manipulate various video and graphics formats.
7. Using Inspiration Software to Create a Science Concept Map: You will use Inspiration to create a concept map and share it with the class.
8. Teaching a Science Concept Using PowerPoint
9. Grading Software: You will be exposed to various methods for using computers for recording and calculating grades.
10. Using Spreadsheet Software: You will utilize spreadsheet software to record data, make calculations, and generate graphs.
11. Selection and Evaluation of Instructional Resources: For a specified grade level and science course or topic you will evaluate two science (non-MBL/CBL) software programs (software, Web-based, etc.) and write a description of their strengths and weaknesses. Your description should include what documentation or supporting materials are available, and where the program is available (media center, on the Web, wherever). Evaluate two programs. You will share your findings with the class.
12. CBL/MBL Lab Experiments: You will design one lab experiment that utilizes either a calculator-based laboratory tool or a microcomputer-based laboratory tool. In your experiment, you should also provide a set of written instructions on the steps that the students should follow in doing the activity. It is not necessary to identify each precise keystroke or calculator entry, but it is necessary to identify what the computer or calculator setup requirements are for your activity. You should include the rationale for doing the experiment, objectives, student prerequisites (what they will have studied up to this point), the key topics and concepts being introduced, and the teaching and learning strategies used. Identify the intended grade level and topic.
13. Instructional Technologies Purchase Order
14. Creating a WebQuest: You will create an inquiry-based online activity using the WebQuest model.
15. Construction and Presentation of a Web site for a Science Classroom: You will create your own set of Web pages that will be useful to you and your students.
16. Professional Digital Portfolio: You will create a professional digital portfolio that will include artifacts you have created in this class. You will add to this portfolio as you progress through your Science Education program.
17. Final Exam