Final Project :
The final project will consist of the students making choices between different related options. A brief will be handed in prior to the end of class explaining your project(s).
Option A
Choose two out of the three projects below (25 points)
1. Accessibility Software review
Students will use the HTML template found at this location, to create an html file for the software reviewed.Click Here
2. Multimedia PowerPoint Project or Movie Project
A shorter, 'example' of what the larger project would look like. In this shorter example, the candidates may do the actual scanning, narrative writing, recording, and compilation in PowerPoint or movie software.
3. Grade/Classroom Technology Plan
Should you want to create an abbreviated 2-3 page classroom technology integration plan following the guidelines below, only in less detail.
Option B
Choose one of the following projects (25 points)
- 1. Multi-media or Movie project with active student participation
- a. 15-25 slides, rather than 5 (10-15 minute movie)
pictures, writing the narratives, recording their voices, putting it together)
- c.This counts as the full 25 points towards the final project
2. District Technology Plan review
Step 1a) Sometime during the second and third weeks of the semester students will visit at least one instructional technology department at an educational institution (primary school, middle school, high school, college, BOCES., etc...). Students will ascertain what, if any, plan the institution currently has for technology integration. This is intended as an information gathering activity to observe how technology integration is handled in an authentic setting.
Step 1b) Simultaneously, you will conduct research to determine how other institutions have designed and implemented technology integration plans. That means: a) Obtaining Technology Integration Plans or guidelines from other Technology departments (either from web sites, contacting the technology department via phone or e-mail, or live visits). You can also search appropriate research databases for suggested guidelines for integrating technology in various institutions. What the bottom-line is with this research is that you obtain alternate perspectives on how technology is integrated into organizations that you now work for or might find yourself employed at in the future. If you find other materials that help to shed light on how this is done, yet don't fit into the categories mentioned, please discuss this with the instructor.
Step 2) Revise or create an integration plan for the educational institution you've chosen. This may include both critiques of the current plans, along with changing components of the plan itself. Check here for an suggested outline for a School District Technology Integration Plan (compliments of the State of Arkansas) http://arkedu.state.ar.us/ade-guide/plan.html
Deliverables (what you're going to hand in):
1) The existing Technology Integration Plan from the organization you visited. If none, explain why isn't there an existing plan?
2) Existing Technology Integration Plan from other organizations you've referenced (or other materials that help inform you of how technology is/should be integrated into instruction).
-either-
3a) A critique of the existing plan with your suggestions for improvement.
-or-
3b) Create your own technology integration plan (justify your technology choices). You may also choose this option even if a technology plan currently exists. In this case, you'll be working within the guidelines of that plan. If you make suggestion that change or go beyond the scope of that plan, please explain why you've made those changes.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Question1) What goes into a plan if I have to create it from scratch?
Answer: If you're creating a plan from scratch, keep your plan limited to either the classroom or grade level. If you are choosing an elementary classroom/grade, be sure to include technologies for each subject area you teach. If you are secondary, include only technologies for your subject area or cross-curricular technologies.
Question 2)What do I do with this plan when I'm done, what's the point?
Answer: As a teacher or instructor, if you have a plan for what technologies you'd like to integrate into your teaching (this means more than just a notion), you are much more likely to gain support from your school or organization for these activities.
Question 3) How many pages should this be?
Answer: No less than 5 (not including your cover page or reference page)
Note: None of your previous projects may be submitted for the final project. No group participation will be allowed for the final project.