Virtual Learning Communities Course Syllabus

Virtual Learning Communities
COURSE SYLLABUS

Virtual Learning Communities (60351)
3 Credit Hours
Dr. Pastore
Fall 2003

1148 MCHS Center for Technology & Teacher Education
Bloomsburg University
Bloomsburg, PA 17815

Web Site:
Class Web Site http://teacherworld.com/vlc.html

Class Assignments, Class Schedule, and Class Agendas:
Information about class assignments, the class schedule, and class agendas is updated weekly as the course progresses and is not included in this syllabus. You should always check the class web page links on a weekly basis to learn about future assignments, the class schedule, and class agendas.

Section:
Section 1 (MWF 10:00 - 10:50)

Instructor:
Raymond S. Pastore, Ph.D.
MCHS 1114 and 1148
Lab/Secondary Office/My Office: 570-389-4236/4025/4044
bloomcourse@hotmail.com

Office Hours:
Mondays and Wednesdays 2:00 - 4:30
And by appointment
Note: I will be in MCHS 1114 (Secondary Ed. Office) or MCHS 1148 (Computer lab) during office hours. You are welcome to stop in during office hours but I have to give first preference to persons who make appointments. I will be attending several conferences this semester so you should try to make an appointment if you know that you need to meet with me before a specific date. Email me at bloomcourse@hotmail.com

Course Prerequisites:
This is not an introductory computer course. This is an introductory Internet course. You must be familiar with computers, a web browser, and at least one word processing program. You should know how to launch several applications and how to cut and paste information between applications. You should know how to format a disk and make back-up copies. You should know how to create folders within folders and save files in folders. You should know how to save files to various folders in various locations on your computer including floppy or zip disks. You should know how to rename folders and files. You should know how to transfer files between folders and disks. You should be familiar with the Windows operating system.

Special Course Conditions:
This course has special software and hardware that is not available in any other lab on campus. You will have to spend time in this lab during the open lab hours. Please check the open lab schedule. If you cannot be on campus during any of the open lab hours, you will not be able to complete the requirements for this course and will have to take this course during another time.

Course Overview:
Virtual Learning Communities is a "hands-on" advanced Educational Technology elective that will serve students for future use in student teaching and job hunting. This course will focus on the Internet as a teaching and learning tool. Students will become familiar with Internet resources for teachers and learn to develop web portfolios for the classroom. Students will construct web pages and maintain an active web site throughout the course. Some of the topics include techniques for navigation and online searches; evaluating Internet resources; making and managing hotlists; downloading and maintaining Internet software and graphics resources; creating classroom applications of email, chat rooms, and web forums, integrating virtual field trips, expeditions, and webquests; and evaluating Internet issues in schools. A special section of the course will be devoted to digital video. Students will create digital photographs and movies for the web. Students will utilize a variety of software including PowerPoint, FrontPage, Photoshop, and the Macromedia Web Design Studio. This course is open to students at all levels.

General Course Goals:
To become familiar with the technical components and tools of Internet and the World Wide Web.
To use the Internet as a communication medium.
To integrate meaningful Internet activities into the curriculum.
To identify the issues associated with the use of Internet in the schools.
To develop a webportfolio of Internet resources.
To identify web trends that are affecting educational practices in the schools.
To utilize digital video and graphics in the classroom.

Required Book:
Note: You are required to buy a domain name with server space in lieu of a book. The maximum price for this is $60.00. I will recommend several sites where you can purchase a domain name, however, you may also search for your own source.

Required Supplies:
Two CD R's or CD RW's with protective cases
Three 100 MB zip disks with protective cases
One "Mini DV" Digital Videocassette Tape (any length of time in minutes)
Two "VHS" Digital Videocassette Tapes (any length of time in minutes)
One 3-ring binder with dividers and a plastic outside and inside cover for your technology portfolio
Plastic binder inserts for your zip disks, videocassettes, and CD ROM's

Please note that you will be turning in one zip disk and one "VHS" tape at the end of the course that will be available for future demonstrations to students and will not be returned.

Assignments & Grading:
You will be given advanced notice of points for assignments and tests. You will also be given points for class attendance (discussed below). The total number of points earned at the end of the semester will determine your final grade based on a PERCENTAGE system as follows:

A 92-100
B 82-91
C 72-81
D 65-69
E Below 65

Attendance:
Class attendance and participation is expected. Students will be given points for class attendance that will constitute 20% of the final grade. An "excused" absence is one that has been authorized by instructor, the University, or documented by a physician. Missing class to observe in the schools is NOT an "excused absence." Please read the "Student Pilot" for definitions and policies of class attendance.

If a student comes to class after roll was taken, it is the student's responsibility to inform the instructor that she/he was present. If a student misses class, it is her/his responsibility to obtain class notes and assignments from the instructor or another student.

Late Assignments & Presentations:
Assignments that are turned in late and presentations that are done after the due date will be docked 10% for each day they are late unless a written excuse from a doctor is provided or unless there are special circumstances approved of by the instructor. If you turn an assignment in to my office on the same day after the assignment was due in class, it will be considered at least one day late. If you turn in an assignment to my office before a weekend or a break, those days will count as late days. An assignment or presentation that has to be redone by recommendation of the instructor will be docked 10%. No assignments or presentations will be accepted more than one week late.

Plagiarism:
On past occasions, students have copied materials from other students (i.e. web site resources) and have had other persons work on their projects outside of class. Persons suspected of plagiarism will be asked to demonstrate the work through written and/or verbal assessment by the instructor. Any student caught engaging in cheating or plagiarism will be subject to sanctions described in university policy #3512 that can include failure of the course.

University Students with Disabilities:
If you have an identified disability that may affect you performance in this class, you should schedule an appointment with the instructor so that reasonable adjustments/provisions may be discussed to better insure that you will have an equal opportunity to meet all the requirements of this course.

Class Cancellations by the Instructor:
In the event that I may have to cancel a class due to an emergency, I will post a message on the class web site. Please note that I may cancel classes if I cannot make the trip to the campus because of snow. Please check the web site if weather conditions are bad or threatening. You may have an alternate assignment posted on the web if class is cancelled.

Web Classes:
During the course, you may have "web classes." This does not mean that class is cancelled. It means that class activities are posted on the web. You should complete the assignments on the class web page as they are posted. Do not wait until the last minute. Remember that these assignments take the place of class meetings and are given in addition to other course requirements. I WILL NOT GIVE CREDIT TO GROUPS OF INDIVIDUALS WHO COMPLETE ANY WEB CLASS ASSIGNMENTS TOGETHER. The web classes are intended to give individualized instruction.

Back-up Disks & Saving Files:
SAVE OFTEN AND ALWAYS MAKE BACK-UP'S OF YOUR WORK ON A SECOND DISK! I cannot accept the excuse that you lost your files. Please make back-ups. Assume that you will lose files, therefore, you must have a back-up.

You are expected to produce a copy of the file on a floppy or zip disk! If you cannot produce it, you will not be given credit for you work. You are responsible for all work in this course, therefore, you must always protect your work by saving often and making a second back-up copy.

Presentations, Mid-term and Final:
You will be responsible for several class presentations, mid-term and final portfolios, and a "hands-on" final exam. If you cannot make a presentation or take a test due to an emergency, I will require documentation. If you are aware of a conflict where you cannot make a presentation or take a test, especially the final, please notify me in person (NOT email) at least one week in advance.

1148 Lab Hours:

TBA-Check the web site for this information.

Student Copy

Please sign the instructor copy of this form and return to me if you understand the syllabus and course requirements. Keep the student copy for your records.

Please note: You should meet with me if you don't understand the syllabus. Don't sign this unless you understand the syllabus and course requirements.

60.351 "Virtual Learning Communities"
Fall 2003
Dr. Pastore

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____ I have received a syllabus for "Virtual Learning Communities."
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