Student Overview

October 24, 2012

Educational Technology Minor

The Philosophical Foundations and Technology Department is now offering students a unique opportunity to obtain a Minor in Educational Technology.

Purpose Learning how to use technology to improve teaching and learning has become strategically important across all domains of education and training. Therefore, this proposal for a Minor in Educational Technology would be open to all students admitted to Athens State Universitys bachelors degree program. This proposed coursework will provide students with a theoretical grounding and practical experience using technology to improve teaching and learning in real-world situations, by creating content-rich lessons that require critical thinking and problem solving, communication, collaboration and creativity and innovation. Although the courses are technologically rich, they extend beyond tools by immersing students in the knowledge base of researched best practices for improving student results. This is the first undergraduate level Educational Technology Minor in the state. Program Goals

Promote Athens State College of Education as a leader in K12 education by providing courses that promote 21st century teaching and learning Produce graduates with the experience and knowledge to be leaders in their workplaces and communities Promote professional dispositions as stated in the College of Educations conceptual framework Assist students in developing student outcomes as stated in the College of Educations conceptual framework

Course Objectives

Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology (Standard 1: Creativity and Innovation, NETS for Students by ISTE; Partnership for 21st Century Skills) Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others (Standard 2: Communication and Collaboration, NETS for Students by ISTE; Partnership for 21st Century Skills)

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October 24, 2012

Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information (Standard 3: Research and Information Fluency, NETS for Students by ISTE; Partnership for 21st Century Skills) Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources (Standard 4: Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making, NETS for Students by ISTE; Partnership for 21st Century Skills) Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology and practice legal and ethical behavior (Standard 5: Digital Citizenship, NETS for Students by ISTE; Partnership for 21st Century Skills) Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems, and operations (Standard 6: Technology Operations and Concepts, NETS for Students by ISTE; Partnership for 21st Century Skills) Prepare students to be technology leaders and innovators in schools, school systems, and the community

Eligibility In order to be eligible to add the Minor, current students must have successfully completed ED 305 Technology and Media for Education or equivalent course.

Required Courses The 18 credits required for the minor are listed below. Core Courses (12 credits) The titles and descriptions are a work in progress and may vary slightly when finalized for Curriculum Committee review. All students seeking the Educational Technology Minor will take the following four 3-credit courses:

ED 307: Teaching Strategies for the Digital Age

Overview: This course will cover 21st century teaching and (e.g. project-, problem- and inquiry-based) learning strategies incorporating digital technology, tools and resources. Description: This course encourages questioning of previously conceived notions about the qualities and characteristics that make a good teachers and how to use those qualities to better and increase learner awareness regarding ever-changing student needs. Students will learn the unique characteristics of todays digital-age students and 21st century pedagogical strategies used for instructing this population. Upon completion of the course, students will have the ability to locate, use and assess a variety of tech tools that are used

Student Overview

October 24, 2012

for student inquiry and presentation of work and create and present content-based lessons that model explored teaching strategies. Course Prerequisites: ED 305 Technology and Media in Education (or equivalent course)

ED 308: Curriculum Design and Assessment for the e-Classroom

Overview: This course will explore curriculum design and assessment in the e-learning environment, including how to create and design online courses. Description: This course focuses on the application and interpretation of theory, research and standards-based effective practices used to design, develop and evaluate distance and blended education experiences. Students will examine different aspects of online teaching (e.g. asynchronous communication, facilitation and feedback) based on research, critically evaluate existing social media and online resources, and apply their learning to online content design. Students will leave the course with a completed online course module that includes content specific activities and an understanding of how to create lessons and assessments that support student exploration of their individual curiosities, educational goal setting, management of learning and assessment of progress. Course Prerequisites: ED 305 Technology and Media in Education (or equivalent course)

ED 407: Emerging Instructional Technologies - 2 hours with 1 hour required land-based lab

Overview: This course will survey emerging educational technology tools and resources (e.g. iPads, personal learning networks (PLNs), interactive boards, clickers, etc.). Students wil learn how to locate, select and use technology tools and resources for teaching and learning. The course will change as new technologies became available. Description: In this course, current leading-edge research about emerging instructional technologies is integrated with hands-on experiences. Through the process of compiling, evaluating, and organizing educational technology resources, K-12 teachers will obtain the skills necessary to provide similar learning experiences for their respective students. More importantly, participants will consider their own unique educational contexts while working with course content to determine how the Internet can be used to meet teaching and learning goals. Course Prerequisites: ED 305 Technology and Media in Education (or equivalent course)

Student Overview

October 24, 2012

ED 408: Issues and Trends in Educational Technology

Overview: This course will survey current research related to educational technology, 21st century learning and best practices for technology use. Description: This course will provide a holistic overview of the issues and trends associated with using the Internet for instruction. Participants will review and discuss literature from a variety of sources, such as educational technology research journals, educational technology practitioner magazines, online articles and websites, and select books. Participants will engage in group reading discussions and projects, compose position papers, and chart the history, current state and possible future developments in educational technology. Course Prerequisites: ED 305 Technology and Media in Education (or equivalent course)

Educational Technology Electives (6 credits) All students pursuing the Educational Technology Minor will take two of the following 3-credit courses: ED 409: Special Topics in Educational Technology

Overview: In this course, students will explore relevant topics not served by established courses. With technological and pedagogical changes occurring at a rapid pace, new advances are consistently being discovered and implemented in todays classroom. These changes will be explored in the course. Description: In this course, students will explore relevant topics not served by established courses. With technological and pedagogical changes occurring at a rapid pace, new advances are consistently being discovered and implemented in todays classroom. These changes will be explored in this course, which includes an in depth study of special issues in educational technology. Topics in this course change based upon student need, changing trends in education and in educational technology. Course Prerequisites: ED 305 Technology and Media in Education (or equivalent course)

Student Overview

October 24, 2012

ED 410: Curriculum Integration of Technology for Elementary Students

Overview: This course will review best practices associated with the implementation of technology tools into content area curriculum Description: This course will focus on using technology tools to help facilitate learning in the elementary classroom and help pre-service teacher and students improve digital awareness. Participants will engage in learning instructional strategies and techniques unique to the elementary classroom. Participants will also review and practice strategies, regarding the proper use and implementation of technologies, into content-specific teaching and learning. Students will examine how role of technology differentiating instruction. By the end of the course, participants will have designed several lesson plans and activities for the elementary classroom toolkit. Course Prerequisites: 1. ED 305 Technology and Media in Education (or equivalent course) 2. ED 307 Teaching Strategies for the Digital Age

ED 411: Curriculum Integration of Technology for Secondary Education and Adult Students

Overview: This course will review best practices associated with the implementation of technology tools into content area curriculum Description: This course will focus on using technology tools to help facilitate learning in secondary and adult teaching environments and help pre-service teachers and students improve digital awareness. Participants will engage in learning instructional strategies and techniques unique to secondary and adult classrooms. Participants will also review and practice strategies, regarding the proper use and implementation of technologies, into content-specific teaching and learning. Students will examine how role of technology differentiating instruction. By the end of the course, participants will have designed several lesson plans and activities for the classroom toolkit. Course Prerequisites: o Ed 305 Technology and Media in Education (or equivalent course) o ED 307 Teaching Strategies for Digital Age

Course Format Initially the courses for the Minor in Educational Technology will be offered in blended format. As the program grows, traditional and weekend courses will also be offered.

Student Overview
Career Opportunities

October 24, 2012

Two audiences exist for the Minor in Educational Technology - students pursuing careers in education and those preparing for careers in health care, government, business, and industry. Employers in todays workforce need candidates who can work with team members, think critically, and take initiative to solve problems. Students who complete the Minor in Educational Technology will potentially possess an advantage when seeking employment in educational settings such as K12 schools, or in industries that value the employees ability to apply learning principles to create effective learning environments. As noted above, the Minor in Educational Technology is open to all students enrolled in Athens State University Bachelors degree programs. Please note, however, that completion of the minor does not lead to teacher certification.