APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY
LITERACY, TECHNOLOGY AND INSTRUCTION

Spring, 2005
Instructor
Office
Phone
E-Mail
Office Hours
Julie Horton
310C
7171
hortonjk@appstate.edu

M, T & W: 1:30-3:30
and by appointment

 Textbook and Readings

Reich College of Education Conceptual Framework - this framework guides our teaching and teaching in the RCOE. It would serve us all well to become more familiar with this piece of work.


Course Description
This course covers a broad range of issues related to traditional and emerging concepts of literacy, media and technology. Their impact on schooling in a multicultural society is examined, with special attention given to the implications for the teaching and learning process. The class is built on the concept of community of practice where collaboration across curricular areas and grade levels is modeled.

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.
10. Develop a conceptual understanding of the competencies addressed in the the Advanced Technology Portfolio.
11. Begin to build a web-based telefolio to satisfy the requirements of the Advanced Technology Portfolio.

Tentative Schedule
Date
Topics
Assignments Due
January
11th
 
January 18th
  • Review class schedule & assignments
  • Quiz
  • How do different children's backgrounds affect us as teachers? What do we need to know about?
  • Review Literature Circles
January 25th
  • Literature Circle's Ch. 2-4
  • Reading in the United States: How well are we doing?
  • Read: Other People's Words Ch. 2-4
  • Prepare: your part for Literature Circles
February 1st
  • Read: Monohan's On the Lookout for Language; Courts' Dialects and Discourses: Dig? on electronic reserve
  • Due: Literature Circle Reflection
February 8th
  • Language, Dialect and Power
  • Making Meaning of Media
  • Video
  • Read: Considine's Linking the Literacies by Considine on electronic reserve ; Bergsma - will hand out
February
15th
  • Develop a concept for your Language Detectives Project
February 22nd
  • Power of Advertising
  • Review Drafts of LDP
  • Labs
  • Review for Mid-term
  • Due: Language Detectives Draft
  • Read: Kilbourne's In your Face all over the Place on electronic reserve
March 1st
  • Mid-term
  • Due: Language Detectives Action Project
March 8th
  • No Class - Spring Break
 
March 15th
March 22nd

 

March 29th
  • No Class
 
April 5th
  • First half class-Healy reading
  • Review Technology Projects & Rubrics
  • Technology Project workshop- Labs
  • Create a personal folder in the 3850 shared folder (inside your instructor's folder). You should keep a backup copy for yourself on a zip or memory stick. (See Tutorial )
  • FYI: Check out Noodle Tools Information Literacy: Search Strategies
  • Bring your zip disk or memory stick to class tonight
April 12th
  • Technology Projects
  • Telefolios if you choose
  • Due: Storyboards for Technology Projects
April 19th
  • Labs
 
April 26th
  • Course evaluations
  • Labs
 

May 3rd
6-8:30 PM

  • Project presentations-labs
  • Due: Technology Projects
**You are expected to check your e-mail and the online syllabus regularly. This schedule is subject to change.
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Course Assignments and Grading
Assignment
Due Date
Point Value
Grading Scale

Language Detectives Research Project

March 1st
50
295-310=A
279-294=A-

Media Literacy Activity

March 15th
50
267-278=B+
257-266=B

High Stakes Position Paper

April 26th
248-256=B-
235-247=C+

Technology Project

May 3rd
50
220-234=C

Community of Practice

On-going
160
Below 220 will have to retake class
All assignments must be completed in order to pass the class.  
TOTAL  
310

Language Detectives Action Research Project ( 50)
The Language Detectives Action Research Project allows students to investigate into the meanings of dialect and stereotypes. How does one's dialect affect them as they enter the classroom and the world? After multiple readings and discussions, students will develop compare and contrast two areas for differing discourse. Students will continue to expand their understanding of literacy with an action research project and a culminative creative essay and poster describin their findings.

Media Literacy Activity (50)
The Media Literacy Activity provides students the opportunity to read, reflect and react to articles and websites dedicated to the development of media literacy. Through this activity, students will investigate the role of media literacy in today's society and begin to understand the implications this has for future teachers through the growing impact the media has on the lives of today's young children and citizens.

High Stakes Testing Position Paper (50)
As one of the most significant issues for all teachers, this course will investigate the issues surrounding high stakes testing and the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation, as it relates to literacy and instruction.Students will be expected to read several assigned articles and websites but also find outside ones. Based on our discussions in class and independent research, students will develop a position paper that articulates a personal perspective as well as opposing views on this highly controversial yet significant issue.

Technology Project (50)
The technology project is a significant assignment as it serves a dual role: 1) as an assignment for a class that will teach students needed technological skills; 2) Use in technology portfolio for NC licensure and in future classroom as a teacher. In groups, students will be expected to choose between a a Webquest or a Class Website for the technology project. Based on your decision you will need to follow the criteria for that project. Further details will be handed out later in the class.

Community of Practice (160)
This class is structured around a Community of Practice model of learning.  (SEE RCOE CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK) You are required to attend all class meetings, and your active participation and substantial contributions in discussions is expected. Students are expected to be prepared for class by completing all assigned tasks such as readings, study guides, and out of class activities before class.  Preparation for class is also 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:

Academic Integrity Code: Be sure you have read and understand the student's academic integrity code. While there will be assignments in this class that do require students to complete work in groups, it is expected that all other assignments are completed individually and are original. Also, be sure to provide appropriate reference citations and always give credit where due. Plagarism will be taken very seriously and students will be held accountable according to Section VIII of the Academic Integrity Code.

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