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Course Description | Syllabus | Instructor | More Information

 

“ Because the course taught me how to put together a grant proposal, about which I was unclear before, I now feel confident in developing a proposal and submitting it” (CTER student, 2002)

 

Course Description

This course, taught in an online format, addresses current research in the areas of standards-based curriculum development, technology use in education and the impact technology has on the major education reform issues that are changing the way we think about teaching and learning. Topics include: school culture and the use of technology, results of research on technology use in project-based learning, teacher and student outcomes related to technology use, and institutionalizing research on technology and learning into practice.

 

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Syllabus

Week 1

Technology, Equity and School Reform – An Overview

Week 2 

Research Results on the Use of Technology in Schools

Week 3 

Matching Technology Use with Student Learning

Week 4 

Institutionalizing Educational Reform through Technology Use

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Instructor

Sandy Levin

e-mail: slevin@uiuc.edu

 

 

 

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 More Information

There are five activities each week.


Readings
Required readings are taken from textbooks and journal articles related to research on the use of technology in schools and educational reform efforts that include the use of technology. These readings are listed in the complete syllabus.

Individual Reflection
Students are required to reflect on the readings and post their reflection in the appropriate web-based conference. Once a student posts a reflection, they are required to read other students’ reflections and respond to at least one other reflection.

Small Group Discussion Question
Students work in small groups (3-5 students per group) and arrange a time to discuss the weekly discussion topic. Both sides of the topic are discussed. Students will rotate throughout the course in the role of group secretary. The secretary will summarize the discussion, quoting different opinions and justifying the responses. These small group discussions are posted for other small groups to read and respond to.

Guest Speaker/Online Lecture
Each week, there is an streamed audio or video interview with a guest speaker/ expert in the field of research on technology and education reform. Students are asked to view or listen to the interview and post a reflection as well as respond to at least one other student's reflection.

Major Project
Each week the instructor posts guidelines for completing the major class research project infour sections. Students are instructed to submit each section by a particular due date. The instructor reviews their projects each week and provides feedback continuously throughout the course. At theend of this four week course, students present and discuss their projects.

Major Themes Discussed During the Course

  • School culture and the use of technology
  • Results of research on technology use in project-based learning
  • Teacher and student outcomes related to technology use
  • Institutionalizing research on technology and learning into practice

 

 

 

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