LITERACY, TECHNOLOGY AND INSTRUCTION

Spring, 2007
   

Instructor

Office

Phone

E-Mail

Office Hours

Linda McCalister

220C

262-6108

McCalisterlm@appstate.edu

M,T,TH,F: (9:00-4:00)


Course Description

This is a required course in the College of Education's core curriculum.  Its purpose is to provide students with a broad understanding of professional issues related to literacy, technology and instruction. The impact of media and various technologies on society will be examined.  There will be a special emphasis placed on developing understandings of what it means to be literate in a multimedia culture. Throughout the course, a variety of instructional methods will be used; students are encouraged to examine their own learning processes as part of this instruction.  The course is based on the assumption that
all knowledge is socially constructed, and that learning is achieved through active engagement of the learner.  This theoretical view will be addressed directly and modeled as the predominant instructional approach. Students are expected to become active members of this learning community, in preparation for their role, in and out of the classroom, as professional educators.  We will meet both as a whole group and as
smaller break out groups throughout the semester.

Note: This is not a methods class, nor is it intended as a substitute for either FDN 3100 or CI 3750.  Students should also be aware that different sections of 3850, while focusing on the same concepts and
overall objectives, have considerably different assignments and instructional styles.
 

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Objectives

Students will:
1.  Learn to engage in dialogue as a primary means of increasing professional knowledge.
2.  Develop an historical perspective on literacy, technology and media.
3.  Critically evaluate their own literacy and learning processes.
4.  Develop computer, multimedia and telecommunications skills.
5.  Understand the role of ethnicity and gender in literacy, technology and instruction.
6.  Critically analyze and evaluate mass media formats.
7.  Utilize media and technology as part of a design/production process to communicate effectively.
8.  Recognize the impact of media/technology on school and society.
9.  Understand the role of computers and telecommunications in the classroom.

Schedule
 

Unit

Date

Topics

Assignments For Next Class

Introduction

January 11

  • Read Introduction-Chapter 2 Purcell-Gates   

Unit I: Literacy

January 18

Online

    • 4 points you agree or disagree with
    • 2 questions
    • 2 related examples from your life.

·         What Is Literacy by Jim Gee

 

January 25

 

·         Language Detectives

 

Feb 1

online

 
  • Literature Circles-Chapters 3-4

  •  Prepare for Literature Circles 5-6

 

February 8
  • Prepare for Literature Circles 7-9
  • Complete Literacy Autobiography

 

February 15

Unit 2: Media Literacies

 

February 22

online
  • Discuss Readings in lit circle groups
  • Literature Circle Reflections

 

March 1
  • On-line Literature Circle Discusion
  • Discussion on Readings
  • Reflections Due
  • Finish PPTs -Literacy Autobiography
  • Media and Gender
  • Tough Guise

 

 

 

Unit 3: Technology and Literacy

March 8

·         What is technology?

·         Technology: The Dark Side (Digital Divide Video, Part I)

·         Webquest Introduction - How is webquests a useful tool? How does it promote literacy?

·         Lab
o       Copy Webquest Template  (See Webquest tutorial)
o       Web design and aaconstruction (Netscape Composer) o       NC DPI Curriculum Standards
o       Webquest Scoring Rubric

  • Bring zip disk

 

March 15

Spring Break

 
  •  

 

March 22
  • Media Activity Due
  • Netscape Composer aaa
  • Webquest Content in Small Groups
  • Turn in Storyboard for Webquest
  • Lab Time

 

 

 

March 29

online
  • Make sure all members of your litereature circle have their parts ready for Thursday night.

  

 ·    Work on Webquests  

 

April 5

·         Work on webquest

 

April 12

 Webquest

·           Webquest

 

April 19
  • Webquest Presentations

 

 

 

April 26

  •  

·        Work on Telefolios

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Course Assignments and Grading
 

Assignment

Due Date

Point Value

 Language Detectives

   February 8

10

 Literacy Autobiography

 February 15

20

 Literature Circle Reflection

 March 1

15

 Media Literacy Writing Assignment

 March 8

15

 Webquest

 April 19

20

Community of Practice Participation

 ongoing

20

TOTAL

 

100

 

Community of Practice (20)
This class is structured around a Community of Practice model of learning.   You are required to attend all class meetings, and your active participation in
discussions is expected.   Unexcused absenteeism will result in a grading penalty.  You should always be prepared for class; assigned tasks such as readings,
study guides, and out of class activities must be completed.  Preparation for class is demonstrated through your active participation in classroom discussions and
other activities.  Being “shy” is not an excuse for not participating; after all, you aspire to be an educator.  The Community of Practice grade will include performance
in all of the following areas:

  • Attendance
  • Participation in large group discussions
  • Participation in small group discussion
  • Participation in peer workgroup sessions
  • Preparation for class (including all weekly readings and assignments)


All professors will use the following grading system:

A:  90-100 %
B:  80-90%
C:  70-80%
D:  60-70%
F:   <60%
Pluses and minuses will be assigned at the professors’ discretion.
 

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Description of Grading Criteria:

A paper or project:

  • Demonstrates a level of excellence and depth of thought as it meets the expectations of the assignment.
  • Shows original thought and/or innovative design.
  • Is technically advanced.
  • Is well organized.
  • Has no problems with mechanics.


B paper or project:

  • Meets the basic expectations of the assignment.
  • Shows technical proficiency.
  • Is well organized.
  • Has few problems with mechanics.


C paper or project:

  • Meets the minimum expectations of the assignment.
  • Has more than a few problems with mechanics, organization, and/or technical issues.


D paper or project:

  • Does not meet the minimum expectations of the assignment, but deserves some credit.


F paper or project:

  • Is not turned in, or is so minimal that it deserves no credit.


Pluses and minuses will be assigned at your professor's discretion.
 

Textbook and Readings

There is one required text for the class, available at Espresso News/Mosaic Books (267 Howard Street).

      Purcell-Gates, Victoria. (1995). Other People's Words.  Harvard University Press:  Cambridge, MA

Other readings will be provided

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