EDUC 482 - 4 Educational Uses of Computers

Section: 131.00

Scheduled Final Exam: No

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Instructor: L. Wiebe

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Office: 8515mpc

Tel: 291-4212

Fax: 291-3203

E-mail: Larry_Wiebe@sfu.ca

PREREQUISITE

Educ 401/402

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Students will develop a critical understanding of the role of computers in education and will learn how microcomputers

can be used in the classroom. The course focuses on learning about computers and educational software and will provide

opportunities to become familiar with courseware designed for instruction and software tools designed to facilitate the

task of teaching.

This course is not designed as a computer programming course which will prepare teachers to write computer-assisted

learning materials or to prepare the teacher to teach computing science courses. In this course the student will achieve a

level of computer literacy which will allow intelligent and critical utilization of existing microcomputer hardware and

software.

This course will examine the various ways that computers might influence the teaching-learning process and classroom

management. This will include the use of microcomputers and related software found in the classroom, introduction to a

mainframe computer, and accessing remote computers using an electronic networking system.

OBJECI1VES

1.

develop competencies in the operation of microcomputers.

2.

develop skills in the selection, evaluation and appropriate uses of computer-based learning materials.

3.

develop awareness of ways the computer can be used by the teacher to support instructional and administrative tasks.

4.

develop awareness of benefits and resources available when computers are connected to local and remote networks.

5.

develop a critical awareness of the role of computers in society and the implications of this for education.

Topics include:

1. Operation of Microcomputers ?

3. Selection and utilization of software

2. Modes of computer utilization

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4. Computer literacy

REQUIREMENTS

1.

Participate in on-line discussion of readings assigned using electronic messaging and conferencing systems................5%

2.

Short tests related to lectures, labs, and readings....................................................................................................5%

3.

Computer skills assignments in wordprocessing, database, spreadsheet, hypercard & internet applications...........35%

4.

Documenting critical thinking and learning outcomes related to course material by maintaining a double-entry

journaland portfolio of work ..............................................................................................................................20%

5.

Using a micro-teaching format demonstrate the possible use of computer hardware/ software in a classroom..........10%

6.

A final project: the evaluation of an educational software program and the preparation of a teaching unit

in a specific curricular area, focusing on computer hardware and software usage .................................................25%

READINGS ?

REQ REC

1-56134-450-8 ?

Hirschbuhl, J

. J .

(Ed.) ?

Conn: Dushkin ?

Computers in Education (7th ed.)

Publishing Group

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x