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S
EDUOI[ON 486-4
SPECIAL TOPICS
MICROCOMPUTERS IN EDUCATION
Summer Session 1985
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Instructor: G. Sinclair
Wednesday and Friday,
8:30 -
12:20 ?
Location: MPX 7504
OBJECTIVES:
This course will examine the various effects of microcomputers
upon the teaching-learning process.
Students in this course will:
a)
develop competencies in the operation of microcomputers.
b)
develop skills in the selection, evaluation and effective
utilization of computer-based learning materials.
c)
develop an awareness of the ways computers can be used to
support the instructional and administrative tasks of teachers.
a) develop a critical awareness of the role of computers in
society in general and education in particular.
This is an introductory course in which students will develop a
level of computer literacy sufficient for the intelligent and
critical implementation of the Apple II family of microcomputer
hardware and software. It is not 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)
programs and programming
2. The Microworid Model
a)
process versus product learning
b)
self-directed learning
c)
co-operative learning
d)
learning through debugging
e)
meta-cognitive learning
f)
teaching and coaching
3. Uses and Abuses of Computer-Assisted Instruction (CAI)
a)
drilling and practising
b) Computer
tutorials and electronic workbooks
c)
simulations
d)
game playing
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4. Explorations in Logoland
a)
a taste of turtle graphics
b)
a glimpse of list processing
c)
a flash of Sprite Logo
5. Survival in the Information/Communications Age
a)
computer as classroom manager
b)
the classroom computer network
c)
electronic mail
a) accessing electronic information banks
e) teleconferencing for business and pleasure
6. Social Issues
a') role of computers in schools and society
b)
status of computers in B.C. schools
c)
computers and ethics
EVALUATION:
Evaluation will be based on:
1.
Four 2 page journal assignments
2.
A critical evaluation of a piece of software (software review)
(2-3 pages)
3.
A paper discussing the implementation of a specific computer
application in a classroom with a single computer, and within a
classroom computer lab. (10 pages)
4.
Demonstration of computer operating skills
5.
Participation in class seminars and discussions ?
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REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS: ?
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Seymour Papert, Mindstorms: Children, Computers, and Powerful
Ideas Basic Books, 1980
Bitter, G. & Camuse, R. Using a Microcomputer in the Classroom
Reston Publishing, 1984
Readings in Lab Book to be distributed during the first class
NOTE -- Students are requested to read the first two chapters of
Mindstorms before the course begins.
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