Credit: Three semester hours

Time: 5:30-9:30 PM Thursday through November 15

Location: Satterlee 300

Purpose: The purpose of this course is to explore issues in the field of instructional technology, focusing on the study of the theoretical foundations of the field, as well as significant research findings.  This course also serves as an introduction to the Instructional Technology graduate program at SUNY Potsdam.  An emphasis will be placed on locating, reading, interpreting, and reacting to research and theory in the field.

Course Goals: 1) To gain a working knowledge of the learning theories which have influenced the field of instructional technology.
2) To develop a conceptual understanding of the research methods (and corresponding components) used in the field
3) To demonstratae an ability to locate, examine, and evaluate research findings with regard to instructional technology.

Prerequisites: This course is considered a graduate course and has no prerequisite courses.  Some of the course material can be accessed through this web site, and written assignments need to be typed in a word processor and submitted via e-mail as an attachment, or through the class submissions folder (available on campus only).  Therefore students taking this course should have basic Internet skills, including web access and e-mail, as well as word processing skills.

Course Materials:
1) Seels and Richey, 1994. Instructional Technology : The Definition and Domains of the Field; Also available at Bestbookbuys at the following web address:
http://www.bestbookbuys.com/cgi-bin/bbb.cgi?ISBN=0892400722
2) Driscoll, Marcy P, 1999.. Psychology of Learning for Instruction; Also available from Bestbookbuys at the following address http://www3.bestbookbuys.com/cgi-bin/bbb.cgi?ISBN=0205263216
3) The following online information as put together by students in the class:
a)
b) Applications of Learning Theory to Instruction for different Settings

Textbooks Recommended:
1) Handbook of Research on Educational Communications and Technology.  Author David H. Jonassen.  Pulished 1996.  The text is available in the Potsdam College Bookstore, or you may also purchase the textbook at a reduced rate at Best Book Buys at the following web address:
http://www.bestbookbuys.com/cgi-bin/bbb.cgi?ISBN=0028646630

Requirements:

Homework: 10 Reaction papers, 1-2 pages in length.  These should include your reactions to the readings (not a summary of the readings).  Note especially where you have seen the application of the topics discussed in the readings in your life (work, home, etc. . . )

Final Exam: A final exam will be announced two weeks prior to the final day of class.  Be prepared for an in class or take home exam.

Submission of Homework: All work, including reaction papers and final exams, should be sent electronically via an e-mail attachment tobetrusak@potsdam.edu with the following naming conventions: 1) the name should be "AnthonyBetrus 635 rp#2.doc", where your name replaces AnthonyBetrus, and the number of the reaction paper replaces the #2.  If you do not have microsoft word, save your file as a .rtf document, and replace the .doc with .rtf.

Attendance:  Due to the compressed 12-week nature of the course, missing one course is equivilent of missing 4 consecutive classes in a typical m/w/f course format. As such, daily attendance is required of all students.  In the case of an emergency or unavoidable circumstance, please notify the instructor via phone AND e-mail as soon as possible.  In the case of serious emergency (in which the concerns of this class are obviously secondary in nature), please contact the instructor at your earliest convenience.

Plagiarism: This course adheres to the College's policy on academic honesty as stated in the Graduate Catalog. Plagiarism may lead to grade reduction, course failure, or expulsion from school.

Students with disabilities: Any student with a disability needing academic adjustments or accommodations should speak with the professor as early as possible.  Students with disabilities should also contact: Sharon House, Coordinator of Accommodative Services at 267-3267, Sisson 112, or e-mail her at housese@potsdam.edu for further assistance.  All disclosures will remain confidential.

Course Schedule: (subject to change as needed)
 

Date:	Topic:
8/30	Course Overview/Instructor and Student Introduction.  In Classs Activities: Games: Pog, Magic, Pokemon, Yo-Yo, Rubik's Cube, Puzzles. How do we learn: how do we learn in play? Reading (Due 9/6): Read "Instructional Technology: The Definition and Domains of the Field."  Homework (Due 9/6): Write a 2-3 page reaction paper focussing on your perceived effectiveness of IT in schools and the workplace.  Additionally, answer (briefly) the following question: "Are Instructional Technololgy and Educational Technology the same thing?"
9/6	Quiz and Discussion Topic (from previous week's assigned reading): The Definition(s) of Instructional Technology, Overview of the Instructional Technology Program, what is was vs. what it is now (including accredidation influences). Reading (Due 9/13): 1) Anglin, Gary J., and Towers, Robert L. "Visual Message Design and Learning: The Role of Static and Dynamic Illustrations" (40 pages) 2) Hartley, James. "Text Design" (25 pages) Homework (Due 9/`13): Write a 1-2 page reaction paper; include some examples from your life of excellent and poor message design.
9/13	Quiz and Discussion Topic (from previous week's assigned reading): Message Design Reading (Due 9/20): Read Driscoll, Chapter1: Introduction & Chapter 2: Radical Behaviorism (pp. 1-70, Parts I & II) Homework (Due 9/20): Write a 1-2 page reaction paper; include examples of behaviorism from your life.
9/20	Quiz and Discussion Topic (from previous week's assigned reading): Theories of learning and instruction Part 1: Basic concepts, Early perspectives, Behaviorism Reading (Due 9/27): Read Driscoll, Chapter 3: Cognitive Information Processing, Chapter 4: Mearningful Learning & Schema Theory, and Chapter 5: Situated Cognition (pp. 71-180,  Part III) Homework (Due 9/27): Write a 1-2 page reaction paper; include examples of cognitive learning theory as appplied to  your life.
9/27	Quiz and Discussion Topic (from previous week's assigned reading): Theories of learning and instruction Part 2: The Cognitive perspective Reading (Due 10/4): Read Driscoll, Chapter 6: Learning and Development, Chapter 7: Instructional Theories of Cognitive Development (pp. 181-256, Part IV) Homework (Due 10/4): Write a 1-2 page reaction paper; include examples of the application of  the reading to your life.
10/4	Quiz and Discussion Topic (from previous week's assigned reading): Theories of learning and instruction Part 3: Learning & Development Reading (Due 10/11): Read Driscoll, Chapter 8: Biological Bases of Learning and Behavior, Chapter 9: Motivation and Self-Regulation in Learning (pp. 257-338, Parts V& VI) Homework (Due 10/11): Write a 1-2 page reaction paper; include examples of the application of  the reading to your life.
10/11	Quiz and Discussion Topic (from previous week's assigned reading): Theories of learning and instruction Part 4: Biology and Motivation Reading (Due 10/18): Read Driscoll, Chapter 10: Gagne's Theory of Instruction, Chapter 11: Constrctivism, Chapter 12: Toward a Personal Theory of Learning. (pp. 339-404, Part VII) Homework (Due 10/18): Write a 1-2 page reaction paper; include examples of the application of  the reading to your life.
10/18	Quiz and Discussion Topic (from previous week's assigned reading): Theories of learning and instruction Part 5: Learning and Instruction Reading (Due 11/1): Betrus - Day 2 Qualifying Exam - 10 pages (download .rtf file here) Homework (Due 11/1): Write a 1-2 page reaction paper; include examples of the application of  the reading to your life.
10/25	No Class: AECT Conference
11/1	Quiz and Discussion Topic (from previous week's assigned reading): Simulations and Games Homework (Due 11/8): Begin Review for Final Exam, Use this link to access a study guide and some student created review materials  ITED 635 Final Exam Study Guide
11/8	Review for Final Exam
11/15	Final Exam

Grading:
Reaction Papers 10 x 10 points each = 100 points
Quizes 10 x 10 points each = 100 points (lowest grade is dropped, and substituted for the average grade of the reamining 9)
Final Exam = 50 points

225-250 points = 4.0
213-224 points = 3.5
200-212 points = 3.0
188-199 points = 2.5
175-187 points = 2.0
163-174 points =1.5
150-162 points = 1.0
<150 points = 0.0

Office Information:
E-mail: betrusak@potsdam.edu
Office: Satterlee Hall 212
Phone: (315) 267-2670
Office Hours: T, W 4:30-5:30 or by appointment.

This page created July 31, 2000.  Last updated November 5, 2000.