Course Syllabus

Course Description

Ready to explore web-based tools to ignite student engagement in your K-12 classroom? We will examine a series of web tools and learn the basics for integrating them into the classroom. Each week we will explore an instructional method utilizing an emerging technology tool (i.e., presentations, posters, binders, stories, and scavenger hunts), and investigate uses and good practices for both teacher-led and student driven activities.

You will be introduced to free web-based tools like Prezi, Animoto, Glogster, and many more. To participate, you will need a computer with Internet, the permissions to install a java plug-in and Adobe Flash Player. You will need to be willing to create several free accounts with the web-based tool providers. 

Course Outcomes

1. Explore different online tools that can be incorporated in the K-12 classroom
2. Examine the uses of the online tools for both teacher-led and student driven activities
3. Identify good practices for implementing tools in the classroom

Facilitators

Rebekah McPherson, Ph.D. (profile)

Judy Donovan, ED.D.

Catherine Dutton, Ph.D. (profile)

Course Information & Requirements

This course is designed to be a cafeteria-style course- take what you want and leave the rest! This is an open online course. Our goal is to create an atmosphere where you can learn from one another and experiment.

Weekly Modules

Each week a new module will be available and will provide you with opportunities to participate in discussions, an online "wall" called Padlet, Twitter or even your personal blog. You are encouraged to participate in the way you find most useful. 

The course modules are designed with an overview of two tools, and resources for other tools if you would prefer to explore something else. Brief videos will be provided, however, we prefer to allow you the opportunity to discuss and explore, so they're not too long! 

Explore and Experiment

This course is not designed for step-by-step guides to how to use a tool. Instead, we encourage you to experiment and try. Of course, we'll provide links to quality tutorials and tips for making things better. Be brave- we promise you won't break anything (at least not beyond repair!).

We want you to experiment with tools and think critically about how these tools could be used, when it should be used and the best tools for your classroom. This course is designed with teachers as the target audience, however if you're not currently a teacher, of course you're welcome to jump in and explore as well. 

Suggested Activities 

There are not graded assignments for the course, however, we recommend that you choose one of the optional activities each week to help you apply the skills discussed in the course. You can complete all the activities, or none of them. It's completely up to you!

Discussions

Each week there will be discussions and your instructors will be involved with the discussions. While we are not grading assignments  we look forward to discussing with you and interacting in other means.

Social Media

In addition to discussion boards, we have a class Twitter hashtag- #k12mooc  and a Facebook Group that we encourage you to use if you're tweeting or blogging. This will be the only way we know to find you!

Credit/Certificates

This course will offer a certificate of participation to all students who: a) click through all pages of the modules and b) submit the following course surveys: Canvas Student Experience Survey, Student Demographics Survey, Student Information Survey, End-of-course Survey. The certificate does not imply credit or completion. It only states that you participated in the K12MOOC from Oct 7-Nov 11. 

Minimum Technical Skills

Students are expected to be able to navigate websites and create multiple online accounts. Students should be familiar with  copying and pasting, attaching, printing, and saving documents in computer programs. If you are unfamiliar with Canvas, complete the Canvas Online Orientation to get yourself familiar with the skills needed in an online classroom.

Netiquette Guidelines

Please follow basic netiquette rules. All students are expected to follow the Canvas Student Code of Conduct.

Time Commitment

If you were to read everything posted in the module and complete every assignment and discussion, we anticipate that you would spend 4-6 hours a week on this course. Of course, as stated before, you choose what is most beneficial to you!

Getting Help

Need technical support with Canvas? Click on the word "Help" in the upper right-hand corner of your Canvas screen. From there, you will be able to search the Canvas Guides, ask a question, or suggest a feature.  There is also a collection of "How to" guides found at How to use Canvas Network.

Need course content help? We encourage you to post first on the course Q&A board. With the potential of 2,000 students in this course, we are confident that this will be the best method of getting a response either from the instructor or your classmates! We will try to respond to questions on the Q&A board within 48 hours M-F. 

Costs

There are no costs for taking the course. All tools addressed in the course are either free or have a free version.