EDU5472 Computing in Education

EDU	5472	78785	2, 2008	WEB	Computing in Education	1.00	Toowoomba
Subject	Cat-nbr	Class	Term	Mode	Description	Units	Campus

Academic group:	FOEDU
Academic org:	FOE003
Student contribution band:	National Priority Teaching
ASCED code:	070303

Staffing
Other requisites
Rationale
Synopsis
Objectives
Topics
Reference materials
Student workload
Assessment details
Important assessment information
Assessment notes
Other requirements
Production date
PDF version

STAFFING

Examiner: Henriette van Rensburg
Moderator: Peter Albion

OTHER REQUISITES

State law in Queensland (Australia) requires that all adults working/undertaking professional experience/researching with children under the age of 18, in the state of Queensland are required to possess a current suitability card (Blue Card). (See "Other Requirements" for further information.) Also see: http://www.childcomm.qld.gov.au/employment/bluecard/informationSheets.html

RATIONALE

The use of computers for instruction creates new opportunities and challenges in the management of learning. Awareness of the possibilities offered by computers and of effective approaches to their use can assist teachers in improving the quality of teaching and learning in a variety of educational contexts.

SYNOPSIS

This course will consider both the theory and practice associated with a variety of approaches to the application of computers for teaching and learning in a variety of educational contexts. Emphasis will be placed upon the use of computer technologies to support curriculum objectives. Students will be introduced to background elements of educational computing including philosophical positions, research evidence and policy documents. These will provide a foundation for consideration of computer literacy, approaches to teaching and learning with technology and to trends and issues in the educational use of computing. NOTES: 1. This course (EDU5472) is available through INTERNET DELIVERY ONLY. There are NO print materials for this course. 2. For details of the technical requirements and accessing Internet study materials, please consult the following URL: http://usqconnect.usq.edu.au.

OBJECTIVES

The course objectives define the student learning outcomes for a course. The assessment item(s) that may be used to assess student achievement of an objective are shown in parenthesis. On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

Describe, classify and analyse approaches to educational computing. (Assignment 1 and 2)
Analyse and apply policy documents and published research outcomes relevant to use of computers in a variety of educational contexts. (Assignment 1)
Discuss the role of computer studies as a component of general education in a technological society. (Assignment 1)
Describe and discuss ways in which computer software can support a range of teaching and learning strategies. (Assignment 2)
Plan for the appropriate application of computer-related activities to meet specific educational needs. (Assignment 2)
Develop approaches to the integration of computer use across a range of curriculum areas. (Assignment 2)
Plan and implement strategies to encourage effective computer use in relevant educational settings. (Assignment 1)
Model ethical computer use including compliance with copyright laws. (Assignment 1 and 2)
Develop appropriate responses to equity issues associated with computers in educational contexts. (Assignment 2)
Analyse some current trends in the development of computer technology and discuss their implications for education and the wider society. (Assignment 2)
Analyse some current issues associated with the use of computers in educational settings. (Assignment 2)
Demonstrate knowledge of course content using appropriate modes and conventions of expression. (Assignment 1 and 2)

TOPICS

	Description	Weighting (%)
1.	Background to Educational Computing, Myths and Visions, Research Findings, Taxonomy, Policy Documents	35.00
2.	Teaching about Computers	5.00
3.	Teaching with Computers, Instructional Principles, Planning, Classroom Management	20.00
4.	Curriculum Integration of Computers, Computers and Problem Solving, Specific Curriculum Areas	20.00
5.	Trends and Issues in Educational Computing, Developments in Technology, Equity Issues, Ethical Considerations	20.00

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

REFERENCE MATERIALS

Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.

Reference reading material is supplied in the Course Package.

Whether you are on, or off campus, the USQ Library is an excellent source of information http://www.usq.edu.au/library/ . The gateway to education resources is here... http://www.usq.edu.au/library/faculties/education/default.htm

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS

ACTIVITY	HOURS
Assessment	20.00
Directed Study	70.00
Private Study	70.00

ASSESSMENT DETAILS

Description		Marks out of	Wtg(%)	Due date
ASSIGNMENT 1		40.00	40.00	12 Sep 2008
ASSIGNMENT 2		60.00	60.00	31 Oct 2008

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

Attendance requirements:
There are no attendance requirements for this course. However, it is the students' responsibility to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.
Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
To satisfactorily complete an individual assessment item a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks available.
Penalties for late submission of required work:
If students submit assignments after the due date without (prior) approval of the examiner then a penalty of 5% of the total marks gained by the student for the assignment may apply for each working day late up to ten working days at which time a mark of zero may be recorded. No assignments will be accepted after model answers have been posted.
Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course.
Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the aggregate of the weighted marks obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
Examination information:
There is no examination in this course.
Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
There is no examination in this course.
University Regulations:
Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6. Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm.

ASSESSMENT NOTES

1.	The due date for an assignment is the date by which a student must despatch the assignment to the USQ. The onus is on the student to provide proof of the despatch date, if requested by the Examiner.
2.	In accordance with University Policy (Regulation 5.6.1), the Examiner may grant an extension of the due date of an assignment in extenuating circumstances.
3.	The Faculty will normally only accept assessments that have been written, typed or printed on paper-based media.
4.	The Faculty will NOT accept submission of assignments by facsimile.
5.	Students who do not have regular access to postal services or who are otherwise disadvantaged by these regulations may be given special consideration. They should contact the examiner of the course to negotiate such special arrangements.
6.	In the event that a due date for an assignment falls on a local public holiday in their area, the due date for the assignment will be the next day. Students are to note on the assignment cover the date of the public holiday for the Examiner's convenience.
7.	Students who, for medical, family/personal, or employment-related reasons, are unable to complete an assignment or to sit for an examination at the scheduled time may apply to defer an assessment in a course. Such a request must be accompanied by appropriate supporting documentation. One of the following temporary grades may be awarded IDS (Incomplete - Deferred Examination; IDM (Incomplete Deferred Make-up); IDB (Incomplete - Both Deferred Examination and Deferred Make-up).
8.	Students may be required to provide a copy of assignments submitted for assessment purposes. Such copies should be dispatched to the USQ within 24 hours of receipt of a request to do so.
9.	When there is more than one marker for a single item of assessment, the distributed patterns and means for the different markers will be compared and marks adjusted if necessary.
10.	Marking criteria are provided in course material as mark sheets/guides or as part of assignment specifications.
11.	Students who have undertaken all of the required assessments in a course but who have failed to meet some of the specified objectives of a course within the normally prescribed time may be awarded the temporary grade: IM (Incomplete - Make up). An IM grade will only be awarded when, in the opinion of the Examiner, a student will be able to achieve the remaining objectives of the course after a period of non-directed personal study.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Students can expect that questions in assessment items in this course may draw upon knowledge and skills that they can reasonably be expected to have acquired before enrolling in the course. This includes knowledge contained in pre-requisite courses and appropriate communication, information literacy, analytical, critical thinking, problem solving or numeracy skills. Students who do not possess such knowledge and skills should not expect to achieve the same grades as those students who do possess them.
Students enrolling in WEB courses MUST have ongoing convenient and reliable access to the Internet in order to access course materials and participate in activities that will affect assessment. The levels of equipment required may change from time to time, with the most recent specification listed at http://www.usq.edu.au/currentstudents/computingstandards/default.htm. You can check whether your computer system meets these requirements from USQAssist (http://usqassist.usq.edu.au/).
Students are to use a recognised referencing system as specified by the Course Examiner.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Working with Children: State law in Queensland requires that all adults (including university students, pre-service educators, trainers, vocational teachers, industry educators) working with children under the age of 18, in the state of Queensland*, obtain approval before commencing such work. Many education courses include a practical component (professional experience, project work, research, assessment etc..) that may require engagement with children under the age of 18. It is your responsibility to ensure that you possess a current suitability card (Blue Card) before commencing any practical components of this course. DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN ANY PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE WITH CHILDREN UNDER 18 UNLESS YOU POSSESS A CURRENT 'BLUE CARD'. For further information: http://www.childcomm.qld.gov.au/employment/bluecard/informationSheets.html. *If you are undertaking practical experience outside the state of Queensland, Australia you should check local requirements.

This version produced 8 Aug 2008.