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Education 482-4 Designs for Learning:

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Educational Uses of Computers

Spring, 1991

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Instructor: David Bell

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Location: Ft. St. John & online

OBJECTIVES:

Microcomputers are a part of virtually every school in British Columbia. This course will examine the various

ways that computers might influence the teaching-learning process and classroom management.

Students in this course will:

a)

develop competencies in the operation of microcomputers.

b)

develop skills related to the selection, evaluation and utilization of computer-based learning

materials.

C)

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develop an awareness of the ways computers can be used to support the instructional and

administrative tasks of teachers.

d)

develop a critical awareness of the role of computers in society and the implication of this for

education.

e)

develop competencies in computer-mediated communication system.

This is an introductory course in

which

students will develop a level

of

computer literacy

sufficient for the intelligent and critical utilization

of

existing microcomputer hardware

and software. It is not a course designed to prepare teachers to teach computing science

courses nor will it prepare teachers to write computer-assisted learning materials.

OUTLINE OF TOPICS:

1. Operation of Microcomputers

a)

components and their function

b)

connecting peripheral devices

c) telecommunications

d)

programs and prdgramming

2. Modes of computer utilization

a) the computer as instructor

b)

the computer as laboratory

c)

the computer as object of study

d)

the computer as teacher's aide

3. Selection and utilization of software

a)

sources of materials

b)

evaluation of courseware

c)

integrating computers in the curriculum

4. Computer literacy

a)

print and non-print materials on computers

b)

role of computers in schools and society

c)

status of computers in B.C. schools

d)

use and misuse of computers in education

COURSE ACTIVITIES:

Course activities will consist of a combination of lecture/demonstrations & online discussions. Three in-person

sessions will be held (Jan. 11-12, Feb. 8-9 & Mar 29-30 at Charlie Lake School). The Friday sessions will be from

1800-2100 & the Saturday sessions from 0900-16:00. In addition all student will be expected to be active

participants in the online sessions of the course. For this, access to a microcomputer and a modem is a requirement

of the course.

EVALUATION:

Evaluation will be based on:

1.

a paper reviewing the application of computers in a selected curriculum area (10 pages)

2.

a critical evaluation of a piece of software (software review) (2-3 pages)

3.

participation in the online & in-person sessions

REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS:

Mandell & Mandell, Computers in Education Toda

y . West, St. Paul, Min., 1989.

Hirschbuhl & Konet, eds. Computers in Education. 4th Edition. Dushkin Publishing, Guilford, Conn., 1990.

PREREQUISITES:?

Education 401/402 or equivalent.