Description

T599 will be a group independent study for those interested in exploring educational applications of emerging technologies. Course participants will, to a large extent, determine the issues, questions, and areas we examine together. The choice of technologies to be discussed will be shaped by the interests of the course participants as well as the relevance of specific technologies to pedagogical and logistical problems in specific contexts.

Objectives

To define the concept and scope of emerging technologies

To catalog and describe these technologies

To develop a criteria used in analyzing these technologies

To discuss the possible educational applications of these technologies

Format

Each student will pick a topic or area of interest--examples: "open source software", "wireless communications", "equal access", "gadgets"--and prepare two presentations for class. Before, between, and after the presentations the student will post relevant articles, etc. he has found for the rest of the class on the class website. The student will also post questions to the threaded discussion.

The idea is that each student will be working on his topic each week, but only present twice. However, the intervening work will be on the site for others to examine and discuss. This work on the site is each student's opportunity to try out ideas. It is also the opportunity for the other students to pose questions that will help direct the student's research.

What each class will look like:

Two students will present their "findings" providing hard copies for every class member.

Occasionally there will be a product demonstration rather than presentations.

As a class, students will brainstorm/explore the potential educational applications of the information, possibly around a philosophical theme. Themes will be determined by presenting students.

Requirements

Research a topic

Formally present your findings in 2 in-class presentations (Please bring hard copies of your findings for each class member.)

Participate in the course website (The website is the place to brainstorm for your own presentations and to examine critically the thinking and direction of other class members.)

post information and articles relating to your topic or the class discussion

begin a threaded discussion for each posting

engage in the discussions of other students

Attendance