Welcome+to+Class



Greetings to all!

Welcome to Applications of Educational Technology (EDT3610). I'm so looking forward to meeting and getting to know everyone as we take this exciting adventure together. As you know, this class is designed for pre-teachers to learn how to effectively integrate technology into your teaching. This means that we are going to explore methods and tools to model and use that change the teaching and learning environment in a way that could not be accomplished without the aid of the tools. With that in mind, this class is not just about learning technology, it is about learning about teaching in the 21st century.

Although the class does not officially start until later this week (Thursday, 6:00-7:50, WC258), there are a few things I would like to share with you, as the professor, and request that you read this very carefully.


 * ** Attendance ** is mandatory. I appreciate this is not a popular statement. But if you do not wish to attend class, please consider taking this same course in its online format.


 * I can’t imagine my life without the convenience of a ** cell phone **. It brings me great comfort to know that my family can reach me anytime. As you will learn as a teacher, attending to an emergency call/text is appropriate. But the constant chit-chat and texting with friends is not appropriate. The ongoing distraction (to you, me and your colleagues) of non-emergency cell phone use is rude and you are stepping into a profession that expects and requires the highest of standards. I expect you to live up to this in class.


 * All ** assignments are due ** on WEDNESDAY at 5:00 p.m. I do accept ** late work ** BUT I strictly enforce the policy of lowering the grade by 10% for each 24-hour period it is late.


 * In this course, you will earn a grade that can only be given on the last day of class. The grade is called and “** ALL WORK IN **” grade. In addition to exemplary work, every assignment given must be turned in to earn a course grade of “A”, regardless of the number of points earned. A calendar of assignment dates is posted on my wiki (|http://3610-facetoface.wikispaces.com/.


 * I provide an ** on-line gradebook ** (unaffiliated with Metropolitan State College). All grades will be posted here.


 * I have opted ** NOT to use Blackboard ** for this class for several reasons: it does not emulate technology used in the classroom (as it is an expensive on-line course tool); it does not support many of the applications I would like to use in class; and it is very linear in its approach. I hope this does not ruffle any of you who have previous experience with Blackboard and were expecting to use this platform. All instructional materials and grades will be offered on-line. The tool I am using (a wiki) will emulate the one you will create as a final project for this class. My wiki (website) will provide you with information, readings, assignments, due dates, and other information for you to be successful in this course. The wiki can be accessed at: |http://3610-facetoface.wikispaces.com/. Some of the links are not active as they are still in progress.

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 * There are ** no textbooks ** for this class. However, you will need to purchase: a headphone/microphone set. I have been shopping around and found them to range from $25-35. They are available at Office Depot, Office Max, Target (but not consistently), and Best Buy and other locations. Here is an example, but you do not need to buy THIS brand or THIS headset.

Please do ** NOT ** make the mistake of purchasing a headset/microphone for a cell phone. You need one for multimedia production. Also, make sure it is a USB connection or will work in your computer. Yes, I know…you have a built in microphone in your computer. NO, that isn’t OK. I have to ** NO ** guilt in asking you to purchase ONE thing that not only will ensure exemplary work products, but that you will use for years to come. Don’t be cheap!!


 * Software for this class: we will cover this in class this week, but I wanted to give you a chance to get ahead of the game, should you not find this overwhelming. If you are not comfortable with downloading software, relax—I’ll show you how to do this in class. But here are some pieces of FREE, no-virus software we will be using in class.

Download at either site: [] []
 * FLASH (you may very well have this already on your computer and it is loaded in the labs at Metro):

Download at: []
 * AUDACITY:

Download at: []
 * PHOTOSTORY3 (for PC only, MAC users will use i-movie)

And here are some of the Web2.0 tools we will be utilizing throughout the semester. With each of these, simply go to the website and create an account. That’s it! To make your life less stressful, please use the same username, the same email address, and the same password for all of them. This is NOT a comprehensive list, but will get you started, IF you choose to set up the accounts before class. If not, NO PROBLEM!
 * [|Google]
 * [|YouTube]
 * [|Shelfari]
 * Wikispaces
 * Glogster
 * [|Tumblr]
 * [|Blabberize]


 * As I will share with you in class, students in this class usually earn one of two ** grades **: “A” or “F”. The way you earn an “A” will be disclosed at our first meeting, but is framed around solid teaching practices: keep up with the work, do NOT procrastinate, and commit to exemplary work products.


 * Your ** success in this class ** is not predicated on your technology use. It will be determined by your passion for teaching, commitment to be creative, and your ability to work hard!

This semester will be a wonderful learning adventure designed to prepare you to have the technology and teaching skills of a 21st century teacher. And, as with teaching, learning to effectively use technology is a journey, not an event. So let’s enjoy this together!


 * HOMEWORK to do before we meet on Thursday! **
 * 1) ** Go to the course wiki (website) and visit, at the least, the active links on the navigation bar. **
 * 2) ** The “About 3610” has a bit to read, and some videos to watch. These are NOT optional. (|http://3610-facetoface.wikispaces.com/). **
 * 3) ** Visit the “Course Information” page. This will give you lots of information: a weekly overview of course topics, assignments with due dates, dates assigned, and points. **
 * 4) ** Make sure you scroll to the bottom of the “Course Information” page, as there you will find the course syllabus (which you SHOULD read), and links to online tools and programs we will use in class. You can actually get a jump start on this course. **
 * 5) ** Spend some time perusing the “Project Examples”: these are the semester-end projects done by your former colleagues. The entire website and all projects are done through week-by-week contributions. **


 * 1) ** Email me (cstocke1@mscd.edu) with: **
 * 2) ** a brief introduction of yourself as a learner, a teacher and a technologist **
 * 3) ** an assurance you have read this information and will be in class, on time, on Thursday, WC 258, 6:00-7:50 p.m. **
 * 4) ** YOUR full email MSCD email address (seriously, I don’t have it—when I send a “class email”, your email address is not visible). For example, my full MSCD email address is: cstocke1@mscd.edu. I need your address to sign you up for the online gradebook. Once I have received this FIRST ASSIGNMENT, you will receive an email from [|www.Engrade.com]. DON’T DELETE IT!!!! Follow the link in the email, choose your own username/password combination and you will have access the gradebook. Super simple, super important, super free. **
 * 5) ** Any questions you have. **
 * This is one of the required assignments for your “ALL WORK IN” grade. **

At any time, please do not hesitate to share with me your comments, concerns, questions, etc.--we're a team and that's how it works!

Best to each of you!! Dr. C.

P.S. My email address is different from my name, as I married last summer. My last name is McGregor, but for MSCD purposes, it remains Stocker.