Course Description, Objectives and Special Announcements

The Complete Course Outline for ECMP 355 is available here .

The following is a summary of the course outline for all sections of ECMP 355.

Course Time and Date

Section 10: Mondays & Wednesdays - 10:30-12:20
Section 398 & 399 (Online) - Synchronous session will vary week to week

Course Description

This course is designed to introduce undergraduate students to computer use in an educational setting. No previous computer experience is necessary, although students may need to individually practice keyboarding skills, become familiar with the basics of word processing and become proficient in file management and navigation in various computing environments (Windows, Mac OS, Linux). These skills are not taught specifically in this course. The course examines trends, issues, and futuristic scenarios on instructional uses of computers, and is designed to facilitate the use of computing technology in a school-based learning/instruction/constructivist perspective rather than in a hardware/programming perspective. Throughout this course, students will gain hands-on experience in working through the skill component of using technology appropriately in schools, with a special emphasis on integrating technology into the school curriculum.

Course Objectives

As a result of this course, students will be able to:

1. Develop knowledge, skills and confidence in using technology appropriate to K-12 classrooms.
2. Develop awareness of computer-based learning resources and strategies to increase their effectiveness.
3. Develop an understanding of basic terms and concepts relating to technology in the classroom.
4. Develop a basic understanding of e-mail, the Internet, multimedia resources and learn ways of integrating these tools into the classroom.
5. Explore, in depth, computer applications in areas of specific relevance to individual teaching area and level.
6. Examine the impact of technology on teaching and learning.
7. Gain the understanding and skills related to the "appropriate" integration of technology into learning and teaching environments (e.g., be able to select and critique content and appropriate technology).
8. Create useful resources integrating technology components - appropriately related to content.
9. Explore different learning theories and begin to better understand how each may relate to using technology in the classroom.
10. Have fun and feel comfortable using technology in teaching/learning situations.

Special Announcements

Contact Information

If there is any student in this course who, because of a disability, may have a need for accommodations, please come and discuss this with me, as well as contacting the Coordinator of Special Needs Services at 585-463l.

Additional Information on the Universities Policy towards students with special needs is available here.

Attendance and Punctuality

Regular and punctual attendance is expected (university policy) at all times. It is especially important in the Faculty of Education because courses are often based on participation and experiential learning rather than lecture. As well, group activities and assignments are often negatively affected by the absence of students.

Students who miss a class are responsible for all material covered during that class as well as any assignments given or submitted. Please e-mail me, phone and leave a message or tell me in person if you are going to be absent or late.

Late Assignments

Deadline dates for assignments will be established at the beginning of the semester. Students are expected to submit assignments no later than the due date (early submissions are gladly accepted). One mark will be deducted for each day late.