Bill Robertson, Ph.D. - Classes
Teacher Education Department

EDT 5373 - Advanced Productivity Technology Classroom

Discussion Questions for WebCT

For each discussion area you will write at least 300 words or more in your discussion posting in response to guided questions that will be provided. You will also reply (at least 50 words each response) to the entries of at least two of your fellow participants for each discussion topic in order to receive full credit. Discussion boards and Quizzes will be locked at the identified time and date as indicated in the course schedule.

Discussion 1 – Desktop Computing

In order to have successful computer technology integration in the classroom, the learning environment should promote the use of desktop computing for research and collaboration with other participants. For example, students can demonstrate their acquired knowledge through a functional and well designed technology product, such as a PowerPoint presentation, a brochure made in MS Word or a functional Web site. This helps to bring the issue alive and engages the students in active learning. Appropriate software and training is essential in providing a positive telecommunications environment for all students, while sound technical support is vital in keeping the lines of communication open.

In what ways do you think the use of desktop computing in the classroom helps to foster and develop skills in critical thinking as well as improve the problem solving skills of students? Provide relevant classroom and research examples as well as indicting appropriate technologies that can be leveraged to achieve these goals.

For each discussion area you will write at least 300 words or more in your discussion posting in response to guided questions that will be provided. You will also reply (at least 50 words each response) to the entries of at least two of your fellow participants for each discussion topic in order to receive full credit. Discussion boards and Quizzes will be locked at the identified time and date as indicated in the course schedule.

Discussion 2 - The Power of Technology in the Classroom

Utilizing technology in the classroom is one way to facilitate a curriculum, build lesson plans, create instructional units, or deliver presentations that integrate the tools of computer technology with classroom content. In this way, the tools are not the focus of the instruction, but are imbedded in the facilitation of the learning process. Although instruction will surely center at times on a given application (such as making transitions in slides within PowerPoint), the learner is ready for the new information, has experience with the application, and is learning it in a context that has meaning and purpose. This approach should take students beyond mere assimilation of content and superficial levels of understanding to areas of synthesis, analysis, and evaluation.

For the educator, how can the computer best be used within daily classroom activities in order to create and facilitate lessons that are relevant to the student and are designed to match their needs and interests within the classroom activities?

For each discussion area you will write at least 300 words or more in your discussion posting in response to guided questions that will be provided. You will also reply (at least 50 words each response) to the entries of at least two of your fellow participants for each discussion topic in order to receive full credit. Discussion boards and Quizzes will be locked at the identified time and date as indicated in the course schedule.

Discussion 3 - Practical Database Use in the Classroom

Managing data in the classroom is an important aspect for any teacher, and many technology tools including MS Access and MS Excel can help an instructor to perform data management tasks. For teachers, databases and data management strategies can have a myriad of practical uses and applications. In your approach to this topic, identify an appropriate tool for such data management, and define a practical and unique to your group use in either the area of instruction/learning or classroom management. Each group member should identify a unique topic so that the discussion consists of different objectives and examples, and should communicate this appropriately to the group members using communication tools in WebCT.

For each discussion area you will write at least 300 words or more in your discussion posting in response to guided questions that will be provided. You will also reply (at least 50 words each response) to the entries of at least two of your fellow participants for each discussion topic in order to receive full credit. Discussion boards and Quizzes will be locked at the identified time and date as indicated in the course schedule.

 

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