Course Description:

This course is designed to develop an understanding of effective synchronous and asynchronous distance education strategies.  Topics and exercises will provide the student with practice in the design, development and delivery of an instuctional sequence for delivery at a distance.  This is a hands-on course for gaining experience and expertise with the development and delivery of education at a distance utilizing various forms of telecommunication.

In order to successfully plan, develop, and implement curricula to meet the needs of diverse learners in today's world and to prepare students for the future, the College of Education and Human Development (COEHD) has identified four critical components of The Effective Educator:  standards based instruction (SBI), knowledge of the learner (KL), best pedagogical practices (PP), and content knowledge (CK).

Course Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, class participants should be able to:

1.  Demonstrate a working knowledge of distance education practices. (SBI,KL,PP,CK)

2.  Design, develop and deliver a lesson using synchronous and asynchronous distance education strategies. (SBI,KL,PP,CK)

3.  Design an advanced website to provide student support for distance education. (SBI,KL,PP,CK)

4.  Demonstrate a working knowledge of how a web server is configured and maintained to support distance education. (SBI,KL,CK)

5.  Demonstrate a knowledge of emerging telecommunication and distance learning technologies. (SBI,KL,PP,CK)

Course Requirements:

1. Complete classroom activities. (200 pts) Complete class attendance is expected. Completion of the reading assignments and classroom participation is also expected.

2.  Webquest Project. (200 pts) Students will design, develop and present an instuctional webquest project using appropriate educational theory and design principles as discussed in this and other courses in the educational technology program.

2.  Distance Education Project. (300 pts)  Students will design, develop and deliver an instructional unit using the distance education strategies and skills learned in this class.

This is a hands-on course and will require additional time on the computer outside of scheduled class times. This course is designed for students with intermediate level of computer literacy. The goal is to develop skills in the use of computer technologies to deliver instructional strategies at a distance.

Textbook:

To be announced - Several readings will be posted to the class website

Supplies:

Several 3 ½ “ diskettes; possible zip disk
Webcam for Distance Delivery

Important Notice:

If you do not have access to a home or school computer that is at least a Pentium II and has internet access, please let me know so that  arrangement may be made for you to gain access to useable equipment.  You should be able to access this computer during scheduled class time to allow for synchronous distance delivery.
 

Grading Scale:

95% or greater -  A
86 to 95% -  B
75 to 84% -  C
65 to 74% -  D
below 65% -  F

Expectations:

1. Complete all assignments on time. Late assignments will lower your grade.
2. Complete all projects with class. Late projects will not be accepted except for extreme unforeseen emergencies and then only prior to the next class meeting. Failure to meet this requirement will result in a failing grade for the project.
3. Participate fully in all classroom activities through class discussions, thoughtful questions, assisting others via cooperative learning techniques, constructing knowledge, and reflecting.
4. Willingness to become more familiar with computer hardware and unafraid to explore the full potential of the computer for both personal and classroom use. This will require active problem solving.
5. Attendance is required at all classes. Anyone having two or more absences will need special permission from the instructor to pass the course.
     **NOTE** If you do not have access to a home or school computer that is at least a Pentium II and has internet access, please let me know.  You should be able to access this computer during scheduled class time to allow for synchronous distance delivery.
6. Some assignments will require group work where group members will need to conference outside of class time in order to complete the assignment.

As per University policy, the university classroom is not a place for children.  Students are not to bring family members for day care or babysitting.

"Free discussion, inquiry, and expression is encouraged in class.  Classroom behavior that interferes with either (a) the instructor's ability to conduct the class or (b) the ability of students to benefit from the instruction is not acceptable.  Examples may include routinely entering class late or departing early; use of beepers, cellular phones, or other electronic devises; repeatedly talking in class without being recognized; talking while others are speaking; or arguing in a say that is perceived as "crossing the civility line."  In the event of a situation where a student legitimately needs to carry a beeper/cellular phone to class, prior notice and approval of the instructor is required.  Classroom behavior which is deemed inappropriate and cannot be resolved by the student and the faculty member may be referred to the Office of Judicial Affairs for administrative or disciplinary review as per the Code of Student Conduct which may be found at http://www.selu.edu/StudentAffairs/Handbook/2003/codeofconduct.html."

NOTICE:  As per SLU's Email Policy of January 1, 2003, Students are required to use their SLU email accounts for all communication.

NOTICE:  New Rules and Deadlines for Graduation - PLEASE READ notice on SLU official website:
http://www.selu.edu/Administration/recordsandregistration/gradap.html
 

Important Dates:

Wednesday November 16, 2005 last day to resign from the University or withdraw from regular classes.

If you are a qualified student with a disability seeking accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, you are required to self identify with the Office of Student Life, Room 203, Student Union.  No accommodations will be granted without documentation from the Office of Disability Services.