EDIT 2000

Welcome to EDIT 2000, Introduction to Computers for Teachers!

What is this class about?

The purpose of this course is to help you explore tools that can be used in your life and can support teaching and learning in a K-12 classroom. As you learn about these tools, you will focus on the educational processes that these tools support—not the technical skills that you acquire. In other words, this is not a course about learning computer skills in isolation; it is a course that will encourage you to find appropriate uses for these technological tools in the K-12 classroom. However, we will learn how you can use technology effectively in your own life so that you can (and will) use it effectively in a K-12 classroom. The syllabus gives specifics on what to expect during the semester. It is very important to understand the syllabus well. If you have any questions regarding the syllabus, please feel free to ask me.

Who is your instructor?

My name is Tonia, and I am a doctoral student in Educational Psychology and Instructional Technology. As a learning technologist, I believe that technology is a tool that can enhance learning and teaching, but is often misused and abused. It’s my job to help you learn about all the cool gadgets and widgets that are out there and how best to use them in the classroom.

What materials do you need?

You will need the course textbook: Supporting Learning with Technology: Essentials of Classroom Practice – UGA custom edition. You’ll need an open mind and a willingness to try things you thought you couldn’t do. You’ll also need to be able to work independently – as this is a fast-paced course that requires your full participation.

What will you be doing this semester?

During this class, you will be learning about technology tools that you can use in your life now and how you will apply what you have learned to a K-12 classroom setting. All of this will be done through project-based learning. If nothing else, you will complete this course with a black belt in Google-fu.

Start thinking about what audience you’ll be creating activities for this semester. Consider what grade level: PreK-2, 3-5, 6-8, or 9-12. Focus on your core interest area; is it science, speech therapy, special education, mathematics, history? You’ll be better off if you have a general idea of your interests before we approach each project.

What do you need to do by the beginning of the second week?

Try to get these tasks completed by the end of class on Tuesday.

1. Create a Dropbox account
2. Create a Gmail account
3. Send a picture of yourself to me
4. Get a Twitter account and follow @ihearttechtools
5. Purchase your textbook
6. Complete the Student Information Sheet