Literacy in the Digital Age:
Enhancing Learning through Meaningful Integration of Technology
A professional development courseoffered for graduate credit
by the Spartanburg Writing Project in conjunction with USC-Upstate
Spring 2009
Instructor:Dawn Mitchell, SWP Partnership Director
,
(848-2880home)(238-4969 cell)
University Contact:Graduate Programs Office, School of Education
(ph - 503-5573; email – )
Times: January 12 - May 4, 2009; Face-to-face meetings: Mondays, 4-7pm on the
following dates: January 12 & 19, February 9, March 2 & 23, April 13, and May 4, 2009.
Overview:This course is designed to meet the needs of elementary teachers ineffectively integrating technology into their current classroom curricula through multi-media project based learning. This course focuses on how technology can support multiple modes oflearning and improve literacy for students in all content areas. Teachers will investigate specific models for integrating the Internet and digital media, including blogs, WebQuests, podcasts, wikis, and digital storytelling.
Designed using a hybrid format, teachers will attend face-to-face meetings periodically throughout the semester as well as participate in online forums and seminars. Because the nature of the course requires meaningful implementation of technology across the curriculum, course instructors will visit participants’ classrooms once during the semester to observe use of technology.
Objectives:
- Identify overarching literacy goalsthat span and connect content areas in elementary grades
- Identify best practices in technology use and integration
- Consider challenges of technology use and integration in the elementary classroom
- Develop integrated units of study using technology to enhance literacy instruction
- Create valuable multi-media projects and products using technology
- Use technology search tools for inquiry and problem solving
- Examine technology resources for both teachers and students
- Communicate via the web
Intended Audience:
- Certified classroom teachers grades K-6, in all content areas, who are enrolled in USC Upstate as non-degree or degree graduate students.
Required Texts:
- Increasing Student Learning Through Multimedia Projects, by Michael Simkins, Karen Cole, Fern Tavalin and Barbara Means(2002)
- Various research articles
Requirements:
- Integrated Unit Plan (20%): Each participant will submit a unit plan(s)which illustrates the implementation of at least two technology tools and/or digital media formats. Unit plans are intended to extend current curricula and enhance literacy instruction through the use of technology. Plans will include goals and objectives, pacing guides, standards correlation, use of technology and assessment plans. Daily lesson plans are NOT required. Unit duration will depend on stated learning objectives.
- Teaching Demonstration/Observation(20%): Throughout the semester, the course instructor will schedule visits to each participant’s classroom in order to observe the implementation of at least one new technology. Teachers will demonstrate what they have learned about best practice in technology use in order to enhance literacy instruction. Teaching demonstrations should include student involvement as well as hands-on activities, and will last approximately 45-60 minutes.
- Multi-Media Portfolio (30%): The purpose of the portfolio is to create a parallel experience to help participants fully understand the process of creating new work using various media and technologies. Individual products will be turned in during our course meetings dates for review and discussion. Final portfolios will be presented near the end of the semester in electronic format and will include the following entries:digital story, podcast, web quest and personal philosophy on the use of digital mediain the classroom. Participants will have free choice of topics for each portfolio entry but are encouraged to create products to be used as models in the classroom.
- Course Blog, Wiki, and Discussion Board(30%): Throughout the course, participants will maintain a blog reflecting on classroom experiences and course readings. A total of 15 blog entries will be required. In addition, participants will collaborate to create a course wiki compiling resources and information for using technology in the classroom. Each participant will make 5 entriesto the course wiki. Finally, participants will respond to weekly discussion forums and reply to entries posted by colleagues. Participants will respond to 15 discussion forums throughout the semester.
Course Policies:
- Grading Scale: A: 90-100; B: 80-89; C: 70-79; D: 60-64; F 0-59
- Attendance at ALL course meetings is expected. No more than one absence is allowed.
Students with Disabilities: “If you are a student with a disability and would like to request disability-related accommodations, you are encouraged to contact me and the Office of Disability Services as early in the semester as possible. The Office of Disability Services is located in Suite 107 of the CampusLifeCenter. Their phone number is 503-5123.”
Changes to this Syllabus: This syllabus is tentative. The instructor reserves the right to make adjustments as necessary. Students will be notified of changes.
Course Schedule
January 12th First meeting (in person)
4:00-4:20Introductions: Building Community
4:20-5:00Overview of Course Syllabus/Blackboard Demonstration
5:00-5:15Break
5:15-6:00Defining Literacy Goals in the 21st Century
6:00-7:00“Blogging: Journals for the Digital Age”
Assignments: Due Monday, January 26, 2009
Get username and set password for BB
Read and annotate course text
Create blog entry #1 as reader response log and classroom reflection
January 19th Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday
January 26thSecond meeting (in person)
4:00-5:00Reading, Writing & Responding: “This I Believe”
5:00-5:30Discussion Forums: 21st Century Conversations
5:30-5:45Break: Sign up for Classroom Visit Date and Time
5:45-6:30Podcasting: Giving Voice to Your Ideas
6:30-7:00Discussion of Reading Assignment from 1/12/09
Assignments: Due Monday, February 2, 2009
Read and annotate course text
Create Blog Entry #2 as a reader response log and classroom reflection
Complete a final draft of “This I Believe Essay” and post to Digital Dropbox (DD)
February 2ndOnline Assignments: Due by Monday, February 9, 2009
Listen to podcast posting on Blackboard and keep notes
Create blog entry #3 in response to podcast and as classroom reflection
Participate in BB Discussion Thread #1 (one original posting and 2 responses)
Create a podcast recording of your “This I Believe Essay” and post to DD
Total work time = 3 hours
February 9th Third meeting (in person)
4:00-4:30Review and Recap (reading assignment, blogs, podcasting, discussion forums)
4:30-5:30Article Jigsaw (Introduction to Wikis)
5:30-5:45Break
5:45-6:30Why Wiki?: Classroom Applications
6:30-7:00Brainstorm Headings for Course Wiki
Assignments: Due Monday, February 16, 2009
Read and annotate course text
Create Blog Entry #4 as reader response log and classroom reflection
Participate in BB Discussion Thread #2 (one original posting and 2 responses)
February 16thOnline Assignments: Due Monday, February 23, 2009
Listen to podcast posting on Blackboard and keep notes
Create blog entry #5 in response to podcast and as classroom reflection
Participate in BB Discussion Thread #3 (one original posting and 2 responses)
Make two contributions to course Wiki
Total work time = 3 hours
February 23rdOnline Assignments: Due Monday, March 2, 2009
Read and annotate course text
Create blog entry #6 as reader response logand classroom reflections
Participate in BB Discussion Thread #4 (one original posting and 2 responses)
Make three contributions to course Wiki
Total work time = 3 hours
March 2nd Fourth Meeting (in person)
4:00-4:30Review and Recap (reading assignments and wikis)
4:30-5:30Article Jigsaw: Intro to WebQuests
5:30-5:45Break
5:45-6:00Brainstorm topics and objectives for WebQuests
6:00-7:00Hands-on Practice: Creating WebQuests
Assignments: Due Monday, March 16, 2008
Read and annotate course text
Create Blog Entry #7 as reader response log and classroom reflection
Post ideas for WebQuest with goals and objectives to Discussion Thread #5
*March 9th – 13th – USC-Upstate Spring Break
*March 12th: Fifth Meeting (in-person): Required attendance at SWP Spring Connections 2009 from 4-7pm (will replace the March 30th class meeting)
**Create Blog Entry #8 as a response to conference experience
March 16th Online Assignments: Due Monday, March 23, 2008
Read and annotate course text
Create blog entry #9 as reader response logand classroom reflections
Participate in BB Discussion Thread #6 (one original posting and 2 responses)
Post Final Version of WebQuest to Digital Dropbox
Total work time = 3 hours
March 23rdSixth Meeting (in person)
4:00-4:30Review and Recap (reading assignments and webquests)
4:30-4:45Unit Plan Overview and Discussion
4:45-5:45Unit Planning and Collaboration
5:45-6:00Break
6:00-7:00Introduction to Digital Storytelling
Assignments: Due Monday, April 6, 2008
Read and annotate course text
Create Blog Entry #10 as reader response log and classroom reflection
Post ideas for Unit Plan to Discussion Thread #6
March 30th Class will not meet: instead, participants are required to attend
SWP Spring Connections on March 12, 2009
April 6thOnline Assignments
Read and annotate research article
Create blog entry #11 as reader response logand classroom reflections
Choose 3 Digital Stories posted to the web to view
Create blog entry #12 in response to viewings
Participate in BB Discussion Thread #7 (one original posting and 2 responses)
Total work time = 3 hours
April 13th Seventh Meeting (in person)
4:00-4:30Review and Recap (reading assignments, unit plans, digital stories)
4:30-5:45Digital Literacy Now: What have we learned?
5:45-6:00Break
6:00-7:00 Hands-on work creating digital stories
Assignments: Due Monday, April 20, 2008
Create Blog entry #13 as classroom reflection
Final Unit Plan Due to Digital Dropbox
Participate in Discussion Thread #8 (one original posting and 2 responses)
April 20th Online Assignments
Read and annotate research article
Create blog entry #14 as reader response logand classroom reflections
Participate in BB Discussion Thread #9 (one original posting and 2 responses)
Post “Seven Elements” Worksheet for Digital Story to DD
Total work time = 3 hours
April 27th Online Assignments
Read and annotate research article
Create blog entry #15 as reader response logand classroom reflections
Participate in Discussion Thread #10 (one original posting and 2 responses)
Post storyboard for Digital Story to DD
Total work time = 3 hours
May 4th 4:00-7:00Final Course Meeting (in person)
Course Evaluations
Digital Story Premier and Celebration
**Final Multi-media portfolio due on CD
**Instructor Classroom visits to take place throughout the semester (one visit per teacher).
Face-to-face on campus contact = 24 hours
Classroom Observation/Teaching Demonstration= 1 hour
Online contact = 21 hours
Literacy in the Digital Age1