Assignments & Grading:
You will be given points for assignments and attendance (these are 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         94-100
A-        90-93
B+       88-89
B         85-87
B-        81-84
C+       79-80
C         75-78
C-        71-74
D         68-70
E          67 and below

Attendance:
Class attendance and participation are expected.  You will be given points for class attendance and presentations (see below) that will constitute 15% of the final grade. If you miss class when you are scheduled to do a presentation, you will not be able to make-up the presentation unless you have an excused absence.  An "excused" absence is one that has been authorized by the University Administration or documented by a physician.  Please note that this does not include notes from the student health center.  Missing class to observe in the schools is NOT an "excused absence."  All documentation of excused absences will be collected at the end of the semester.

Please visit http://www.bloomu.edu/facstaff/prps/3506.php for  definitions and policies of class attendance.  If you come to class after roll was taken, it is your responsibility to inform me that you were present.  If you miss class, it is your responsibility to obtain class notes and assignments from me. An attendance roll sheet will be circulated during each class after the first week.  It is your responsibility to sign this sheet. You will not receive credit for class attendance unless your name is on your sheet.

Web Page Construction Assessment:
Creating and maintaining a web site is the central theme and main delivery system of this course.  Doing your OWN technical work for the web page construction aspect of this course is required.  Having another person author your web site will not benefit you as a future teacher because you will need to create, update and modify your won web pages.  If you use another person to author your web site, this is plagiarism.  I will reserve the right to have you demonstrate any technical work that is found on your web site.

In addition, at the midterm, you will have an "in class" web page construction assessment in this course to analyze your web page construction skills and determine if you did your own work.  A review will be conducted for this exercise and you will be given a sample practice exercise so you know exactly what the expectations are for the actual assessment.  This assessment is simple and measures the most basic web page construction concepts taught in this course.  If you do not get a 100% on this simple assessment, then you will not receive points for any of your assignments and will be advised to drop the course.  You may view the graduate course withdrawal policy at: http://www.bloomu.edu/facstaff/prps/3463.php

Attendance and Class Presentations:
During the semester, there will be occasions when class members present their projects to the class. The educational value of these session in terms of presenting and sharing are difficult to measure through written assessments.  Therefore, students will be given extra points for class attendance during presentations that will exceed the value of points given for attendance on other days.

Timeliness of Presentations:
If you are unable to do a presentation because you were having technical problems, you must notify me at least one week in advance so that we could have time to remediate your problems.  I cannot excuse you from doing a scheduled presentation because you had technical difficulties.

Late Assignments:
I do not accept late assignments unless you have an excused absence as defined above.  If you have an excused absence and the assignment is due, then it is due the next class.  On days when assignments are due, they are due when you walk into the lab.  You are not permitted to work on assignments in class on the day that assignments are due. Also, please note that an email the day before the assignment is due is not considered contacting me BEFORE the assignment is due. You must notify me with adequate time to respond to your email or set up an appointment (3 days minimum). 

Resubmitting of Work
I do not accept any resubmitted work because directions are specifically given on the web site.  In addition, assignment requirements are discussed in class.  If you don't understand the assignment, please see me BEFORE the assignment is due.

Quality of Your Work
As a future teacher, you will be expected to bring the latest research methodologies and technologies to your student teaching experience and ultimately, your first job experience.  You will not gain all of the technical knowledge that you need to know from this course; however, you will become aware of some of the high expectations of today's schools. Many of our Bloomsburg teachers are sought after as high quality teacher candidates and a significant portion of our teachers eventually become leaders in the schools.  You will be expected to put no less than 100% effort into the work of this course.  Consequently, I reserve the right to reject any work including units, web pages, and presentations that signifies minimal effort and does not reflect the high quality expected in our graduates.

Points on Assignments:
Each assignment is worth a certain number of points, however, you will not receive ANY points for an incomplete assignment.  In addition, you will not receive ANY points if you do not obtain at least 70% of the allocated points for the assignment.  The rationale for this policy is that an assignment that is partially completed or that is below the expected average of performance is not useful to you or your future students.

Start of Class:
I do not start the class, YOU start the class.  Class officially begins when YOU walk into the lab.  You should logon to your computer and begin to work on your assignments.  At the beginning of most classes, I usually circulate through the lab and see if there are any questions or if anyone needs help.  In classes where there is large group instruction, I will notify you when it is time to meet in the front of the lab.  Large group instruction may begin at any time from the beginning of the class toward the end of the class.

End of Class:
You are expected to remain in the lab until I dismiss the class or dismiss you.  If you completed your assignment and would like to leave, you should check with me and I will proof your assignment.

Feedback on Your Work:
I correct most of your work at the midterm and end of the semester because this is when most assignments are due.  In some instances, I may correct your work at other times during the semester.  I STRONGLY suggest that you get feedback from me BEFORE an assignment is due.  If you are wondering about your grade status or an evaluation of a particular assignment, then your should see me to schedule a time to meet.

Emailing of Assignments:
Due to time constraints and potential technical problems, I do not accept any assignments through email.

Academic Integrity:
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.  In addition, students have used unauthorized aids during written tests.  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 the Academic Integrity Policy found at http://www.bloomu.edu/facstaff/prps/3512.php 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 a number of "web classes" posted on the class web site.  This does not mean that class is cancelled.  It means that class activities and assignments are posted on the web.  You should complete these assignments as they are posted.  Do not wait until the last minute.  Remember that web classes take the place of class meetings and are given in addition to homework assignments. GROUPS OF INDIVIDUALS WHO COMPLETE THESE WEB CLASSES TOGETHER ARE PLAGIARIZING.  The web classes are intended to give individualized instruction.  Please note that some of the web classes may be posted during class cancellations due to weather or other unexpected emergencies.

About the Use of Technology in Dr. Pastore's Courses:
In order to avoid misconceptions about the role of technology in this course, you need to be aware of basic assumptions made by this instructor:

• Technology use in the schools is only at the "tip of the iceberg."  The use of technology, particularly web-based technologies, will  permeate the school curriculum in growing proportions.

• Recent graduates  will be expected to become technology leaders in the use and integration of technology in the classroom.

• Technology is a tool used to improve teaching and learning.  It is not a means to an end.

• The proficient use of technology will distinguish you from other teacher candidates who are not proficient in technology.

• The technology in this course is "leading edge" technology.

• The difficulty of the technology in this course is for the average person, not a technology "wizard."

Back-up & Saving Files:
SAVE OFTEN AND ALWAYS MAKE BACK-UP COPIES OF YOUR WORK ON A SECOND DISK OR FLASH DRIVE! 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.

Although I usually collect "print-outs" and not disks or flash drives, you are expected to produce a copy of the file if requested!  If you cannot produce it, you will not be given credit for your work.  You are responsible for all work in this course; therefore, you must always protect your work by saving often and making a back-up copy.

Presentations, Mid-term and Final:
You will be responsible for class presentations, a mid-term portfolio, and a final portfolio.  You will not have a written final during final week.  In accordance with the Academic Examination Policies found at http://www.bloomu.edu/facstaff/prps/3516.php, your final will be your web site and/or written portfolio.  This practice is based on the performance-based nature of this course.  In addition, the use of performance-based assessment in this course serves as a model for 21st-century research-based teaching practices advocated by our Elementary and Secondary Education programs.  If you cannot make a presentation due to an emergency, I will require documentation.  If you are aware of a conflict where you cannot make a presentation, please notify me in person (NOT email) at least one week in advance.  

1148 Lab Hours:
Check the class web site for this information.

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