Instructor David Bell bell@sfu.ca EDB 8514 Office: 778-782-4436.

InstructorInstructor

David BellDavid Bellbell@sfu.caEDB 8514EDB 8514Office: 778-782-4436Office: 778-782-4436

What is this course about?What is this course about?

• This course is designed for current and future teachers in the K-12 system

• It covers three content areas:– It’s partly about mastering computing ( & other)

technologies that are used in schools– It’s partly about understanding the ideas and problems

that shape how computing technologies get used in schools

– It’s partly about learning to design meaningful uses of computing technologies for K-12 classrooms

How will the course work?How will the course work?

A combination of:– Discussions

– Demonstrations and Labs

– Design assignments

– Readings, research and written work

We will…We will…We will…We will…• Learn about some of the most common applications of computers

(& other technologies) in schools today– Lab work, readings

• Learn about some things that are not used much in schools today, but should be– Design assignments, readings

• Feel comfortable about trying new things with computing and networking technologies – Work on design assignments in class

• Begin developing a critical stance on uses of technology in schools– Written responses to readings– Class discussions– Position paper

Technical supportTechnical support

• I will give you as much time as possible to work on your technical projects in class, but...

• You will need to spend additional time in this lab– 1 day per week on campus will not be enough,

unless you are technically self-sufficient– I can only support you technically if you work

in the CET using the applications I know

Your GradeYour GradeYour GradeYour Grade

• 50% design assignments• 15% brief written responses to assigned readings• 25% position paper on a course-related topic of

your choice• 10% PowerPoint presentation on you position

paper

(Details will be on the course web site)

ExtraExtra CreditCredit

• Bringing interesting Ed Tech news items or web sites to class for the whole group to discuss– It’s helpful if you can e-mail me about these a

day or two before, so I can plan them into the lecture/discussion

• Helping your peers with their assignments in class (peer tutoring)

Late PolicyLate PolicyLate PolicyLate Policy

• If you are late in submitting any part of an assignment, marks will be deducted at a rate of 5% PER DAY.

• This means:– At one day late, it is still possible to get an A+ on a perfect

assignment.

– After three days, a perfect assignment could only get a B+.

– At six days late, the best a perfect assignment could get is a C-

• Do not ask me for extensions without documentation of a medical or compassionate reason

How can I do well in this How can I do well in this course?course?

• Show up every week– If you miss more than 2 sessions in the semester, I will

deduct two percentage points for each class missed

• Hand in all the assignments on time• Pay close attention to the posted grading criteria• Submit a full-length draft of your position paper

(not point-form notes) on time • Keep an open mind about the issues

Questions for YouQuestions for You

• What is a computer?

• Why should anyone want students to use computers in schools?

• What have you seen computers used for in schools recently?

What do we mean by What do we mean by “technology”?“technology”?

What do we mean by What do we mean by “technology”?“technology”?

Anything people create and use to extend what they can do with their minds, bodies, senses and voices

Includes:

• Writing (alphabets, paper, pens, chalkboards, etc.)• Tools for measuring and recording• Photography, film, video• Telecommunications (radio, telegraph, telephone, satellite)• Calculating machines• Computers

These are all part of the society around us– They effect (for better and sometimes worse) the ways we think, solve

problems, and communicate

Learning to teach with Learning to teach with computing technologycomputing technologyLearning to teach with Learning to teach with computing technologycomputing technology

We know that:• It takes progressive refinement• It takes a long time (years, not weeks or months)• Few teachers do it alone

– Most have ongoing support from peers in their schools, administration, and the surrounding community.

Contacting meContacting meContacting meContacting me

• David Bell – e-mail bell@sfu.ca– Office: EDB 8514– Office hours: by appointment

• On campus most days, but often in meetings. Be sure to make an appointment by e-mail if you don’t want to be frustrated!