Unit+2



__** Topic #1 **__ - ** Teaching with Technology **

Curriculum-specific learning, or discipline-specific learning means learning how to apply teaching principles, knowledge and ideas to authentic and practical classroom lessons and projects that can benefit students. The purpose of this unit is to provide information you can use to integrate technology into your specific classroom curriculum. Take a look at Fig. 1 above. Note the strategies associated with new learning environments for students.

Some excellent resources for teaching with the Internet: [] This site will provide you with hundreds of curriculum-specific sources of information and ideas.

People are considered “computer literate” when they have knowledge and understanding of computers and their uses. Information literacy is obtained when people know how to find, analyze and use information–including the ability to gather information from multiple sources, select relevant material and organize it into a form that will allow users to make decisions or take specific actions. Integration literacy describes a person’s ability to use computers and other technologies combined with a variety of teaching and learning strategies to enhance student learning; this includes matching appropriate technology to learning objectives, goals, and outcomes.

Think about the widespread use of computer technology, both in business and in education. In addition to general-purpose computers, consider the use of special-purpose computers in everything from automobiles to CD players. The Internet has changed the way students, teachers, and other users are finding, using, and analyzing information. Think about how computers have influenced your daily lives, both positively and negatively.

__** Topic #2 **__ - **What Does a Computer Do?**


 * A computer is an electronic machine, operating under the control of instructions stored in its own memory that can accept data (input), manipulate the data according to specified rules (process), produce results (output), and store the results for future use.
 * There is a difference between data (a collection of unorganized facts that can include words, numbers, images and sounds) and information (data that is organized, has meaning and is useful). Data is processed into information.
 * Digital media are those technologies that allow users to create new forms of interaction, expression, communication and entertainment in digital format.
 * Think about the advantages of digital technology.
 * Digital Students: Who are they and how do they learn?
 * Digital generation (the new generation), digital students or digital kids (kids who are hyper communicators, who use multiple tools to communicate, they are also multitaskers who do several things at once with ease, and are goal-oriented as they pursue multiple goals at the same time). Think about the similarities and differences between previous generations and the today’s digital generation.

The ARCS Motivational Model, above in Figure 2, was developed by John M. Kellar in 1983 and is applicable to learning in the digital age. Look at the four key concepts of Keller’s ARCS Motivational Model.

__Topic #3__ - Computers and Computing
Three general categories of computers found in K-12 schools are:
 * Categories of Computers **
 * ** Personal Computers - ** Katie & Shelley
 * ** Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices - ** Betsy, Tracy, and Christina
 * ** Servers and Supercomputers - ** Megan and Jen

__Topic #4__ - Computer Software
A computer program is a series of instructions that tells the computer how to perform the tasks necessary to process data into information. Do you understand the difference between computer hardware and computer software? A CD-ROM is hardware; however the programs stored on it are software.

Wallwisher - http://wallwisher.com/wall/IntegTech2012


 * System Software
 * Operating System
 * User Interface - The user interface is the software feature with which users interact thereby affecting how data and instructions are entered (input) and how the computer presents information on the screen (output). A graphical user interface (GUI) is a user interface that combines text, graphics, and other visual cues, such as icons that allow a user to interact with software. An icon is small image that represents a program, instruction, or some other object).
 * Utility Programs
 * Application Software
 * Packaged Software
 * Custom Software
 * Open Source Software
 * Shareware, Freeware, and Public-Domain Software (The distinction is subtle but important. Review the information on shareware, freeware, and evaluation software at: Kaboose, Inc. http://www.kidsdomain.com/FAQ/what-is-shareware.html
 * Software Development
 * Computer programmers

__Topic #5__ - Networks and the Internet
A network is a collection of computers and other equipment organized to share data, information, hardware, and software. A school computer lab is an example of a network.

Consider the advantages of sharing resources. Think about why most business computers are part of a network. Think about the differences between a local area network (LAN), which is a communications network that covers a limited geographical area such as a school, an office, a building, or a group of buildings and a wide area network (WAN), which is network that covers a large geographical region and uses telephone cables, digital lines, wireless systems, satellites, or other combinations of communications channels. A WAN can consist of many local area networks organized into one larger network. A LAN consists of a number of computers connected to a central computer or server and a wide area network (WAN).

Review the following explanations of the WWW: Internet Society @http://www.isoc.org/internet/

Tom March develops WebQuests & Learning Activities @http://tommarch.com/learning/wq-checklist.php

Topic #6 - Why Use Computer Technology in Education?


Above are the NETS-T Standards for Teachers released in 2008. The pdf version of the NETS-T Standards for teachers:[| NETS T Standards]

Teachers need to use technology in their classrooms. Look at each of the educational technology standards required for all teachers that were created by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) http://www.iste.org.

Are you aware of National Council for Accreditation for Teacher Education (NCATE) http://www.ncate.org? Standards for Students

The ISTE Standards for Students: [|NETS for Students]

The ISTE Standards for School Administrators: [|NETS for Administrators]

Technology is changing the environment of K-12 schools. There is a lot of money being spent to place computers in all classrooms. Education Rate or E-Rate is the Federal Communications Commission government initiative designed to provide discounts to schools and libraries on all communications services. Review the following explanation of E-Rate: Federal Communications Commission  E-rate @http://www.fcc.gov/learnnet/
 * An Example of How One School Uses Computers **

Your textbook states that teachers use of technology during instruction and throughout the learning experience is the most important variable in successful technology integration. Some engaging new strategies on integrating technology are community digital storytelling (combines basic educational pedagogy with creative writing, oral history, movies, film making, and digital media) and transmedia story (the art of telling stories using various forms of media).

Review additional information on digital media at @http://www.storycenter.org/

Integrating Technology and Digital Media in the Classroom @http://www.floridasmart.com/subjects/pt/teachers_internet.htm


 * Assignments & Discussions **

__Discussion__: Please post to the Wiki in the under the discussion tab Education Issues: Item #3 Reality or Fantasy http://guides.library.jhu.edu/evaluatinginformation

__Assignment: __ The Flyer

Create a flyer for parents/students night with class information and add a QR code that links to your teacher or school website.

Check [] for tips on making a great flyer. How to make a QR code? [] Use this link to create the QR code and then copy and paste the QR image.