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Designs for Learning: Computers in Education

Summer Session, 1990

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Instructor: Larry Wiebe

(July 3 - August 10)

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Office: MPX 8513

Tuesdays and Fridays

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Phone: 291-4212

Location: MPX 8651

PREREQUISITES:

EDUC 401/402 or equivalent.

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Students will develop a critical understanding of the role of computers in education

and will learn how microcomputers can be used. The course focuses on learning

about computers and software and provides experience with courseware designed

for instruction and software tools designed to facilitate the task of teaching.

OBJECTIVES:

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.

Students in this course will:

a.

develop competencies in the operation of microcomputers.

b.

develop skills in the selection, evaluation and appropriate uses of computer-

based learning materials.

c.

develop awareness of the ways the computer can be used by the teacher to

support instructional and administrative tasks.

d.

develop awareness of the benefits and resources available when computers

are connected to local and remote networks.

e.

develop a critical awareness of the role of computers in society and the

implications of this for education.

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.

Use of a computer for the completion of assignments is part of this course.

Computers are available on campus and the student should expect to spend time

outside of the regularly scheduled class time to complete the required assignments.

OVER

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OUTLINE OF TOPICS:

1. Operation of Microcomputers

a.

components and their function

b.

connecting peripheral devices

c.

programs and programming

2. Modes of computer utilization

a.

the computer as an instructor

b.

the computer as a laboratory

c.

the computer as an object of study

d.

the computer as a teacher's aide

e.

the computer as a communications device

3. Selection

• and utilization of software

a. sources of materials

b.

evaluation of courseware

c.

integrating computers into the curriculum

4. Computer literacy

a.

print and non-print materials on computers

b.

the role of computers in schools and society

c.

status of computers in B.C. schools

d.

uses and misuses of computers in education

COURSE ACTIVITIES:

Course activities will consist of lectures, demonstrations, readings and

laboratories. Student demonstrations will be part of the course.

EVALUATION:

1.

a paper reviewing the application of computers in a selected curriculum

area(1O-12 pages).

2.

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

3.

short tests related to lectures and readings.

4.

completed assignments demonstrating computer operating skills.

5.

a documented presentation to the class which demonstrates the use of a

particular piece of computer hardware and/or software.

REQUIRED TEXTBOOK:

Mandell, C.J., & Mandell, S.L. (1989) Computers in education today. St. Paul:West

Publishing Company