Syllabus

=INST 6105: Distance Education Tools= Download a copy of the syllabus:

Instructor:
Doug Holton doug.holton@usu.edu Room 205 Education Bldg doug.holton on gtalk

Meets in Room 280 (computer lab) of the education building, 8:15am to 10:30am, M-F
 * Class location:**


 * Class schedule:**
 * 1) June 14 - June 18 (online)
 * 2) June 21 - June 25 (on campus) 8:15 to 10:30 AM, M-F
 * 3) June 28 - July 2 (on campus) 8:15 to 10:30 AM, M-F
 * 4) July 5 - July 9 (online)
 * 5) July 12 - July 16 (on campus) 8:15 to 10:30 AM, M-F
 * 6) July 19 - July 23 (online completion of projects if needed)

**Course Description:**
In this course we'll learn about tools and principles for creating effective and engaging online and blended learning environments. Some of the things we'll try to do include:
 * develop a philosophy of teaching and technology
 * identify misconceptions about online/blended learning and educational technology
 * review recent research and theory about online learning
 * set up online personal learning networks for professional development and lifelong learning
 * learn how to evaluate e-learning and redesign courses for blended/online learning
 * learn about new media literacies, 21st century learning, digital communities and identities
 * design effective visualizations, animations, and multimedia
 * design instruction in a learning management system
 * <span style="font-family: DejaVu Sans,sans-serif; font-size: 8pt;">and the primary focus, learn how to use various tools that can be used in support of online/blended learning, as described below.

<span style="font-family: DejaVu Sans,sans-serif;">**Example tools:** Some of the types of tools we'll be learning about include:
 * <span style="font-family: DejaVu Sans,sans-serif; font-size: 8pt;">Blogs
 * <span style="font-family: DejaVu Sans,sans-serif; font-size: 8pt;">Wikis
 * <span style="font-family: DejaVu Sans,sans-serif; font-size: 8pt;">Social bookmarking
 * <span style="font-family: DejaVu Sans,sans-serif; font-size: 8pt;">Micro-blogging
 * <span style="font-family: DejaVu Sans,sans-serif; font-size: 8pt;">Social networking
 * <span style="font-family: DejaVu Sans,sans-serif; font-size: 8pt;">Animation/multimedia authoring
 * <span style="font-family: DejaVu Sans,sans-serif; font-size: 8pt;">Learning management systems
 * <span style="font-family: DejaVu Sans,sans-serif; font-size: 8pt;">Content management systems
 * <span style="font-family: DejaVu Sans,sans-serif; font-size: 8pt;">Virtual worlds
 * <span style="font-family: DejaVu Sans,sans-serif; font-size: 8pt;">Video, podcasts, screencasts
 * <span style="font-family: DejaVu Sans,sans-serif; font-size: 8pt;">Simulations, videogames
 * <span style="font-family: DejaVu Sans,sans-serif; font-size: 8pt;">Presentation tools
 * <span style="font-family: DejaVu Sans,sans-serif; font-size: 8pt;">Digital note-taking, tablets/slates
 * <span style="font-family: DejaVu Sans,sans-serif; font-size: 8pt;">Mobile learning
 * <span style="font-family: DejaVu Sans,sans-serif; font-size: 8pt;">Cloud computing, Google apps
 * <span style="font-family: DejaVu Sans,sans-serif; font-size: 8pt;">Visualization tools, concept mapping

<span style="font-family: DejaVu Sans,sans-serif;">**Materials Needed for the Course:**
<span style="font-family: DejaVu Sans,sans-serif;"> **Books** No textbooks are required to be purchased for this class. A free, online pdf book we will be using is: //The Theory and Practice of Online Learning// : [] (click the 'Ebook' tab on that page for the pdfs) You will need to bring your laptop with you to our class in room 178 (which has no computers). If you don't have one, I can lend you a netbook to use.
 * Laptop**

**<span style="font-family: DejaVu Sans,sans-serif; font-size: 8pt;">Participation and Grades: **
<span style="font-family: DejaVu Sans,sans-serif;"> This is a participatory class. No quizzes or papers to turn in, only projects and activities to work on. If you do the activities and try your best, you'll get full credit. Your final grade will be composed of: <span style="font-family: DejaVu Sans,sans-serif;"> For a total of 200 points. If you cannot make one or more classes, you can makeup the activities online.
 * <span style="font-family: DejaVu Sans,sans-serif; font-size: 8pt;">10 pts: philosophy of teaching & technology assignment (see above)
 * <span style="font-family: DejaVu Sans,sans-serif; font-size: 8pt;">150 pts: We are essentially meeting 15 times, and you'll get 10 points for participating each day
 * <span style="font-family: DejaVu Sans,sans-serif; font-size: 8pt;">40 pts: final project