EDT

415 Making Instructional Materials - Fall 2015 First Eight Weeks Updated

1. Instructor
Dr. Barry Sponder | sponderb@ccsu.edu

2. Office
Barnard Hall, Room 308. Knock to gain entry.

3. Office Hours
Tuesday 1-6 pm | Wed 4:00 - 4:30 pm | Th 3:30-4:00 pm or by appointment

4. Office Phone
(860) 832-2049 but email always gets faster results.

5. Course Website
Moodle.ccsu.edu: Register for the Moodle with your CCSU email address. Then, go to
the 2015 Spring Courses, Instructional Technology, and finally this course, S15 EDT
415 Making Instructional Materials (Sponder). Enroll yourself in the course as
prompted.

Deeper Learning Through Technology by Halla buy online or at the bookstore
6. Text
7. Prerequisites
8. Goals

9. Standards

10. Course Objectives

10. Attendance

16. Philosophy of
Instruction

For credit in the elementary education professional program all students must have
taken EDT 210 and passed with a C or better.

This class is the second part of a two part series of educational technology courses for
elementary education majors. Its purpose is to introduce you to the various roles for
web based, eLearning instructional applications used in the elementary classroom. As
aspiring teachers, this class will help you to continue to learn how to use technology to
increase successful student outcomes and meet national and state standards for
integrating digital media into the curriculum.

This course has been developed to help elementary education majors meet the
standards as developed by the International Society for Technology in Education. The
course addresses the National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers (NETS)
found here, http://www.iste.org/Libraries/PDFs/NETS-T_Standards.sflb.ashx and at
the end of this Syllabus.

Students will do the following during this course:

1. develop a personal website to hold course assignments
2. use their personal websites to hold their PLN
3. create content for networking online
4. create a gradebook using Google Drive
5. work with classmates on a group project TBA
6. identify a book and develop a literature unit for it online.
7. use a tablet to evaluate the effectiveness of instructional applications

Attendance is mandatory. Due to the eight-week term it is critical that you attend
every class. One excused absence is acceptable. Two missed classes = letter grade
drop. Three missed classes = course failure. If you know you will miss a class, contact
me in advance for an excused absence. In addition, each unexcused absence will result
in lost class participation credit. Classes will be screen recorded for student retention,
but not as a substitute for attending class.
This is a projectoriented class that builds upon the skills and concepts introduced in
EDT 210 in addition to drawing on students' previous CBI experiences. Hands-on lab
activities, lectures, demonstrations, written materials and group work are used to
support learning. Students are encouraged to utilize on their creativity and problem-
solving skills as they continue to develop into experienced instructional designers.
Students are expected to spend at least six to ten hours a week outside of class involved
in courserelated activities. There is a healthy learning curve for CBI so make sure to
get your flu shots.

11. Course Projects

and Activities
















































12. Grading

13. Excused Absence

15. Snow Emergency

Projects and Assignments

Projects and assignments for this class are described briefly below. For a
complete description of each project see the class Moodle.
a. Personal Website: students are required to create a website for their future class using a
free tool such as Yola.com or Google. The site will hold some assignment completed in
class and for homework. Details in class.
b. Personal Learning Network: Students will be required to create, actively participate in
and share with the class their Personal Learning Network (PLN). A PLN is defined as the
entire collection of people and resources with whom you engage and exchange information.
To get credit for your PLN you must post weekly content from each of the PLN sites.
c. Homework: Students will use the weekly Forum to respond to questions about topics
presented in class and assigned.
d. Gradebook: Students will use Google Spreadsheets to create a sample gradebook. The
gradebook will be shared with your instructor.
e. Group Project: Students will work with peers in a particular content area. Each teacherlearner will develop a lesson in that content area and can any or all of the following: rubrics,
spreadsheets (for academics), wikis, and Web 2.0 tool(s).
f. Literature Based Project: Students will select a book from childrens literature and base
a lesson on the book. Smart Notebook presentations, Voicethread, video, podcasts,,
spreadsheets (for assessments) and optionally Google Earth should be integrated into the
lesson.
g. Tablet Project in class activity using an iPad as directed
h. Class Participation: Students must be active participants by both listening and
contributing to class. To receive the full 10% for class participation students must attend
class, be punctual, actively participate in person and actively participate during in class
activities.
i. SMART Notebook in class activity to develop teaching materials
Assignment/Project
Personal Website (Home Page and Assignments)

Points
5%

Class Participation

5%

PLN (on website)

Homework (Forum)

20%
30%

Projects (Group Activity, Literature Project, Tablet)

40%

Total Possible

100%

A 100-93 /A-92-90 /B+ 89-87 /B 86-83 /B- 82-80 /C+ 79-77

C 76-73 /C-72-70 /D+69-67 /D 66-63 /D-62-60 /F Below 60

Excused absences must be arranged before a planned absence. If you have special
circumstances surrounding your absence, discuss these with the instructor as soon as
possible, preferably before the absence. If you are sick, you must contact the professor
ASAP via email and provide an official doctors note the next class.

In the event of a cancellation check the class Moodle for instructions.

14. Academic Honesty

16. Learning Outcomes

The College is committed to academic integrity in all its practices. The faculty value
intellectual integrity and a high standard of academic conduct. Activities that violate
academic integrity undermine the quality and diminish the value of educational
achievement. Cheating on projects, or other academic works is a violation of CCSU
rules. No student shall engage in behavior that, in the judgment of the instructor of the
class, may be construed as cheating. This may include, but is not limited to, plagiarism
or other forms of academic dishonesty such as the acquisition without permission of
tests or other academic materials and/or distribution of these materials and other
academic work. This includes students who aid and abet as well as those who attempt
such behavior.
1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.
7.
8.
9.

17. Students with

Special Needs

19. Late Pass

20. Copyright

The students are able to prepare a lesson plan using the CCSU template that
incorporates the TPACK model using appropriate instructional strategies,
content standards, technology standards, and integrates technology with
content and pedagogy seamlessly as instructional tools.
The students are able to find, evaluate and utilize open source software such
web hosting services, Web 2.0 tools and tablet apps to integrate a variety of
software and applications for their classroom lessons with the purpose of
instructional and productivity use.
Students are able to create effective digital instructional resources such as a
online discussions, digital posters, slideshows, movies, or animation, to use in
various parts (initiation, lesson development, assessment and closure) of
lesson planning, which exhibit instructional and digital design strategies in
their creations.
Student will demonstrate the knowledge and desire to become lifelong global
learners by creating and maintain a Personal Learning Network using a digital
tool and collect resources about educational technology from a variety of
sources including blogs, academic journals, social networking and Nings.
The students will exemplify outstanding digital citizenship by demonstrating
their understanding of the legal responsibilities concerning copyright,
academic honesty, privacy, protection and modifications needed for digital
activities as well as the social aspects such as the digital divide, digital literacy,
netiquette, and cyber-bullying when designing lessons and digital activities.
The students will integrate design principles effective communication into the
activities and the materials created in class with the express purpose to
enhance learner motivation and understanding.
The students will demonstrate their evaluation of current educational
theories and research by their responses on class social networking site.
The students will exhibit in their digital creations effective communication
skills with parents, students and colleagues by insuring the most actuate
information and best practices in their designs.
Students will exemplify the professional standards of an effective teacher by
exhibiting qualities of responsibility such as, attending classes, participating in
class activities, and turning in assignment on time.

If you need course adaptions or accommodations because of a disability, if you have
emergency medical information to share with me, or if you need special arrangements
in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me ASAP.

The Late Pass can be used once for an up-to-two weeks extension on any assignment. It
cannot be used in any other course.

Students shall adhere to the laws governing the use of copyrighted materials. They must
ensure that their activities comply with fair use and in no way infringe on the copyright or
other proprietary rights of others and that the materials used and developed at CCSU contain
nothing unlawful, unethical, or libelous, and do not constitute any violation of any right of
privacy.

20. Course Topics and Activities

Date
1. Sept 3

2. Sept 10

Flipped Class
3. Sept 17
4. Sept 24

Topic(s)

1. Introductions, Syllabus, overview

2. Moodle
3. Setting up Websites & PLN
4. Homework
1. Websites and PLN
2. Recording what you see
3. Set up Groups
1. Wikis & Groups
2. Google Drive (start)
3. Spreadsheets
1. Group Activity
2. Gradebook
3. Interactive Whiteboards (Start)

5. Oct 1

1. Literature Project Starts

2. Interactive Whiteboard (2)
2. Group Activity due

6. Oct 8

1. Audio for Instruction

2. SMART Notebook activity
3. Literature Project Lab

7. Oct 15

1. Tablet Activity
2. Mobile Devices
1. Class Summary
2. Literature Project Due
3. Last class All work due.

8. Oct 22

Assignment Due in Class

1. Forum: Text Chapter 1

2. Forum: Web 2.0 Text Chapter
3. Start PLN
1. Forum: Text Chapter 2
2. Forum: Group Work
3. PLN
1. Forums
2. Forum: Text Chapter 5
3. PLN

1. Forums
2. Forum: Text Chapter 3
3. PLN
Group Project Due
1. Forum: Audio
2. Forum: Flipped Classroom
3. PLN

1. Forum: Tablets in the classroom
2. PLN (finish)
Literature Project Due

21. Rubrics

a. Website (5)

b. Personal Learning Network (15)

c. Homework/Forum (40%)

d. Projects (40%)

22. Standards addressed in EDT 415

This course has been developed to help elementary education majors meet the standards as developed by the International
Society for Technology (ISTE) in Education. The course addresses the National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers
(NETS) found here, http://www.iste.org/Libraries/PDFs/NETS-T_Standards.sflb.ashx and annotated below.


ISTE Standard and Description
EDT 415 Addresses Standard
1. Facilitate, Inspire Student Learning and Creativity
Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter, teaching and
learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that advance
student learning, creativity, and innovation in both face-to-face
and virtual environments.
1.a. Promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking Forum, Wikis, Presentations, Video,
and inventiveness
Voicethread
1.b. Engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving
Class Discussion, Lesson Planning,
authentic problems using digital resources
Digital Citizenship
1.c. Promote student reflection using collaborative tools to reveal Wikis, Moodle
and clarify students conceptual understanding and thinking,
planning, and creative processes
1.d. Model collaborative knowledge construction by engaging in
Wikis, Class Recordings, Web 2.0
learning with students, colleagues, and others in face-to-face and
virtual environments
2. Design and Develop Digital Age
LearningExperiences and Assessments
Teachers design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning
experiences and assessment incorporating contemporary tools and
resources to maximize content learning in context and to develop
the knowledge, skills, and attitudes identified in the NETSS.
2.a. Design or adapt relevant learning experiences that
Wiki, Forums, Video, Voicethread,
incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student
Graphics, Podcasts
learning and creativity
2.b. Develop technology-enriched learning environments that
Wiki/Moodle
enable all students to pursue their individual curiosities and
become active participants in setting their own educational goals,
managing their own learning, and assessing their own progress
2.c. Customize and personalize learning activities to address
Group and Literature Based Project
students diverse learning styles, working strategies and abilities
require addressing students with diverse
using digital tools and resources
learning styles
2.d. Provide students with multiple and varied formative and
Gradebook and Literature Based Project
assessment data, polls
summative assessments aligned with content and technology
standards and use resulting data to inform learning and teaching
3. Model Digital Age Work and Learning
Teachers exhibit knowledge, skills, and work processes
representative of an innovative professional in a global and
digital society.
3.a. Demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer
Group project requires Students to find
one Web 2.0 tool to incorporate, iPad
of current knowledge to new technologies and situations
project
3.b. Collaborate with students, peers, parents, and community
Wikis
members using digital tools and resources to support student
success and innovation
3.c. Communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to
Classes recorded and posted online, class
websites
students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital age media
and formats
3.d. Model and facilitate effective use of current and emerging
Gradebook, Literature Based Project
digital tools to locate, analyze, evaluate, and use information
assessment data
resources to support research and learning
4. Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility
Teachers understand local and global societal issues and

ISTE Standard and Description

EDT 415 Addresses Standard
responsibilities in an evolving digital culture and exhibit legal
and ethical behavior in their professional practices.
4.a. Advocate, model, and teach safe, legal, and ethical use of
Demonstration of where to get free
resources online, review of copyright and
digital information and technology, including respect for
digital citizenship
copyright, intellectual property, and the appropriate
documentation of sources
4.b. Address the diverse needs of all learners by using learnerActivities designed to make materials
centered strategies providing equitable access to appropriate
accessible for different learners and
digital tools and resources
different learning styles with Word.
4.c. Promote and model digital etiquette and responsible social
Web 2.0/Forum/Moodle
interactions related to the use of technology and information
4.d. Develop and model cultural understanding and global
PLN, Web 2.0
awareness by engaging with colleagues and students of other
cultures using digital age communication and collaboration tools
5. Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership
Teachers continuously improve their professional practice, model
lifelong learning, and exhibit leadership in their school and
professional community by promoting and demonstrating the
effective use of digital tools and resources.
5.a. Participate in local and global learning communities to
PLN
explore creative applications of technology to improve student
learning
5.b. Exhibit leadership by demonstrating a vision of technology
PLN, Group Project
infusion, participating in shared decision making and community
building, and developing the leadership and technology skills of
others
5.c. Evaluate and reflect on current research and professional
Articles/Forums/Moodle
practice on a regular basis to make effective use of existing and
emerging digital tools and resources in support of student
learning
5.d. Contribute to the effectiveness, vitality, and self- renewal of
PLN/Web 2.0/ Forums/Moodle
the teaching profession and of their school and community


23. Typographic Guidelines (failure to use these guidelines can cost you points)
This topic provides professional conventions for using computer-generated text. In this course, when using a word processor or other
software, the following conventions, among others, should be followed:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Do not use all capitals in a sentence or a title longer than three words
One space after a period, comma or other punctuation marks.
Never underline text unless it is a hyperlink. An underline is not a drawn line.
Use red only to highlight something important and should be used purposefully.
Use multicolored text judiciously not indiscriminately.
Use bold and italics for highlighting important information, not for paragraphs or large bodies of text.
Use apostrophes correctly (1950s or '50s not 1950's)
Use left-align text for greatest legibility.

24. In addition to the above, when making websites and presentations be aware of the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Make title fonts at least one size or two larger than text. Fonts should be consistent in style and size.
Do not use multicolored fonts. A website can be attractive without using everything that
the technology can do. Just because you can do something doesn't mean you should.
Don't stretch graphics. Find the right size and then use it or find something else.
If text folds into another line try to make the break at a complete thought as much as possible,
and don't break text that should be read on the same line such as names and titles.
Avoid using animated GIFs for decoration. They can easily annoy a visitor.
Put your name on every piece of work you do and every file you hand in.
Include a final page for references for every outside resource you use