General Information
Elementary Teacher Contact Information
Rick Bell
Central Education Campus
rbell@np.k12.mn.us
952-758-
Secondary Teacher Contact Information
Shawn Brandt
Upper Media Center, High School
sbrandt@np.k12.mn.us
952-758-1349
Course Prerequisites
Teachers taking this course are committing to forty (40) hours of hands-on instruction. Minimum expectations for technology skills and technology compatibility include the following:
Technology Experience
• Ability to browse the Internet
• Basic word processing skills (copy/paste, formatting text)
• Ability to use email including opening and sending attachments
Hardware and Software Requirements
• Windows 98, ME, 2000, XP
• Speakers or headphones for audio files
• Minimum of 56k dialup (broadband highly recommended)
• Internet Explorer (version 6 or higher)
• Email access
• Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Publisher)
• Adobe Reader - www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readermain.html
Course Description
This course is designed to help teachers explore best practices in technology integration and create a standards-based unit that incorporates project-based learning concepts. Participants select a curriculum unit they currently teach and design a student project that incorporates technology and project-based learning strategies. The final product will include lesson plans aligned with state and technology standards, guiding questions, teacher and student resources, and project examples.
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course, participants will have created a "ready-to-integrate" Unit Portfolio which will include lesson plans aligned with state and technology standards, student samples, teacher and student support materials, and evaluation tools. Once teachers have experienced the process of integrating technology into one curriculum unit, the expectation is that those teachers continue to supplement their curriculum with technology and communicate the benefits to their colleagues.
Requirements
Course Requirements
When you complete the course, your Unit Portfolio will be ready for you to use. Your Unit Portfolio will consist of:
- A Unit Plan with student learning objectives aligned to subject and technology standards
- Student samples:
- A student multimedia presentation
- A student publication (newsletter or brochure)
- A student web site
- Evaluation tools:
- A multimedia evaluation tool for assessing student learning
- A publication evaluation tool for assessing student learning
- A web site evaluation tool for assessing student learning
- A teacher presentation, newsletter, brochure, or web site to support your unit
- Handouts, templates, or tests to support your unit
- A unit implementation plan
- Classroom management documents
- Works Cited document
Graduate Credit Requirements
If you choose to take the course for graduate credits (5-quarter credits), these additional requirements must be submitted to Portland State University:
- A completed Unit Plan
- A final reflection paper (3 paragragraphs)
- Briefly describe the unit you developed
- Describe your plans to teach the unit
- Briefly describe accommodations you may need to make to ensure student success
Course Policies
Completing the ten (10) modules will require about 2-1/2 hours of hands-on instruction per week including: reading, research, online discussion, and completing the unit plan. An important component of the course is sharing best practices with other online participants. To keep everyone on the same scope and sequence, participants are expected to complete the module assignments by 4:00 pm on the posted end date.
Grading
Grading Policies and Procedures
When all the course requirements have been fulfilled, participants will receive a certificate of completion equivilant to forty (40) professional development clock-hours. The clock-hours can be applied towards re-licensure.
If you are taking the course for graduate credits (5-quarter credits), paperwork will be presented for registering with Portland State University. Credits are eligable for contract lane advancement. It is the participant's responsibility to ensure district guidelines are followed. Credits may also be applied toward a graduate degree, please contact your academic institution for varification.
Your course facilitators are available to assist and guide you through the Unit Portfolio process. Evaluation of the final product and assessment of the final grade is conducted by Dr. David Bullock, PSU Extended Studies professor.
Calendar
Module 1: Getting Started
Monday, January 22 — Tuesday, January 30
Activity 1: Introducing the course
Activity 2: Getting acquainted
Activity 3:
Getting started
Activity 4: Beginning the planning process
Module 2: Locating Resources for Unit Portfolios
Wednesday, January 31 — Friday, February 9
Group Share: Plans for your unit
Activity 1: Exploring copyright laws
Activity 2: Creating a works cited document
Activity 3:
Using directories and search engines
Activity 4: Locating Internet resources
Module 3: Creating Student Multimedia Presentations
Monday, February 12 — Tuesday, February 20
Pair and Share: Web site evaluation
Pedagogical Practices: Providing students with access
Activity 1: Creating student multimedia presentations
Activity 2: Evaluating student samples
Activity 3:
Revisiting unit plans
Module 4: Creating Student Publications
Wednesday, February 21 — Friday, March 2
Pair and Share: Student presentation and evaluation tool
Pedagogical Practices: Focusing students on content
Activity 1: Creating student publications
Activity 2: Evaluating student samples
Activity 3:
Revisiting unit plans
Module 5: Creating Student Support Materials
Monday, March 5 — Tuesday, March 13
Pair and Share: Student publication and evaluation tool
Pedagogical Practices: Manage, store, and access student files
Activity 1: Creating student support materials
Activity 2: Revisiting unit plans
Module 6: Creating Student Web Sites
Wednesday, March 14 — Friday, March 23
Pair and Share: Student web site plans and storyboard
Pedagogical Practices: Internet safety and guidelines
Activity 1: Creating student web sites
Activity 2: Evaluating student samples
Activity 3:
Revisiting unit plans
Module 7: Creating Teacher Support Materials
Monday, March 26 — Wednesday, April 4
Pair and Share: Student web site and evaluation tool
Pedagogical Practices: How technology can be used to communicate
Activity 1: Creating teacher support materials
Activity 2: Revisiting unit plans
Module 8: Develping Plans for Implementation
Tuesday, April 10 — Friday, April 20
Pair and Share: Teacher support materials
Pedagogical Practices: Supporting the diverse needs of learners
Activity 1: Developing implementation plans
Activity 2: Creating management documents
Activity 3:
Revisiting unit plans
Module 9: Putting Unit Portfolios Together
Monday, April 23 — Friday, May 4
Pair and Share: Your Unit Portfolio
Pedagogical Practices: Managing student use of computers
Activity 1: Organizing Unit Portfolios
Activity 2: Completing Unit Portfolios
Activity 3:
Preparing for the Portfolio Showcase
Module 10: Showcasing Unit Portfolios
Monday, May 7 — Friday, May 18
Face-to-Face Meeting : Date... To Be Dertermined
Activity 1: Preparing files
Activity 2: Showcasing Unit Portfolios
Activity 3:
Evaluating the course
Activity 4: Wrapping up
Resources
Textbooks and Websites
Intel Teach to the Future Curriculum Book
Participant Teacher Edition
Intel Teach to the Future Curriculum CD
Click here for the online version