Technology in the Early Elementary Classroom

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What are past participants saying about the course? The fellowship for teachers feeling alone in small schools is the best I could have imagined, and not having to go away from home for 6 weeks in the summer is good too. This has got to be the NUMBER 1 practical class I've taken in all my undergraduate and graduate classes. - Teacher A class geared toward teachers of primary grades is ideal since we have such a unique group of students. Things that apply to older students might not especially be suited or developmentally appropriate for us. Interacting with other teachers is already proving helpful and insightful. -K Teacher I have taken other classes online before, and one of them was even a technology class. However, I must say, that this one was the most organized and useful of them all. The immediate feedback was much appreciated. - K-3 Teacher In the beginning when we first got computers, I found it really tough to find activities for my students to "do" so that I could say we were "using" the new computers. I wasn't really into computers, so I didn't even know where to begin. Fortunately, I took several really great classes (Integrating Technology into the Curriculum, Creating WebQuests and this class) and the world has opened up for me. Now I am taking technology classes for fun - not just because I need certification! - Teacher This course has been an answer to prayer. I was looking over my prayer journal recently and saw my request for a computer course that was convenient and appropriate for me, dated January 2, 2003. I can now date the answer as June 1, 2003, praise the Lord." - K-8 Teacher "Can't wait to have students try these projects. We've never had anything like this in our school. Praise God we are entering the 21st century!" - Teacher Thank God I have taken this course, and am gathering a wealth of knowledge of what's out there to help supply an interesting, fun filled science time for my students this summer, and next school year. I will be applying many of the scientific lesson plans I have found, and will be using the new digital camera we have just purchased. I see the kids and me having a blast, as we explore together. - 4-5 Teacher I must say that it has been one of the most fun courses I have taken in a while! - 1st grade teacher I was so hesitant to take a class when I was already maxed out. However, this class was so good for implementing in the classroom. I really enjoyed it. - K-1 Teacher

Are you interested in integrating technology in your early elementary classroom? This course is instructor-led and is targeted to K-3 teachers who wish to increase their skills in using digital cameras, KidPix, and other technologies in the classroom. Lots of practical classroom ideas will be shared. Participants should expect to commit 6-8 hours a week to the class.

Prerequisites: Basic computer and Internet skills and ready access to the Internet and Kid Pix software.

Kid Pix
Kid Pix is productivity software (writing, drawing, slideshows) for the elementary level. You can purchase Kid Pix Studio Deluxe (better for Windows 95 and 98) or Kid Pix Deluxe 3 or 4 from your local computer store. Some online sources are:

• 5DollarSoftware.com. This site gets you the CD for US$5 but no teacher materials or instructions. However, the course has almost all the how-to instructions you might need.
• http://www.softwareoutlet.com. Check the weekend specials too. You might find something useful!
• Broderbund After you pay for it here, you'll have the option of downloading the software or receiving a CD in the mail.

You don't need to know how to use Kid Pix, as the course is set up to teach you the software a bit each week.

Course Dates: June 19 - July 28, 2006 (Fall 2006 credit)

Time Commitment: 6-8 hours per week

Recertification
Please note this course has been approved by the NAD Technology Committee for teacher recertification at both levels.

Cost: US$250 to be paid to AVLN. (Credit additional cost.) (If you decide to cancel, you must do so by the end of the first week of the class; otherwise you will be charged the full amount.)
Versacare Scholarship for participants from Australia, Bermuda, Canada, Japan, and Western Europe. Participants from these areas pay US$175.
Versacare Full scholarship for all other non-U.S. locations. Participants from these areas pay US$0.

Note: The registration system will automatically give you the scholarship.

Andrews University Graduate Credit:

• Andrews University graduate credit is 2 semester credits.
  US$400 plus US$250 AVLN Course Fee.
  Scroll down to register. Then access the credit PDF Form link on the window that appears after you submit your registration.
  A transcript will be sent to you automatically upon completion of the course.

La Sierra Graduate Credit:

• La Sierra University graduate credit is 3 quarter credits.
  US$75 plus US$250 AVLN Course Fee.
  Scroll down to register. Then access the credit PDF Form link on the window that appears after you submit your registration.
  You request a transcript from LSU a few months after completion of the course.

HSI/Griggs University Undergraduate Credit:

• HSI/Griggs undergraduate credit is 2 semester credits.
  US$75 plus US$250 AVLN Course Fee.
  Scroll down to register. Then access the credit PDF Form link on the window that appears after you submit your registration.
  A transcript will be sent to you automatically upon completion of the course.

Certficate/PAC

• 2 38 clock-hour PAC credits are available.
  US$250 AVLN Course Fee.
  A certificate will be sent as an email pdf attachment to you after the course. You should submit this to your employer.
  Scroll down to register.

Instructor: Gavin Record

Projects by Participants

What is required of me as a student?
Read the Course Syllabus for detailed information on the course. You should be able to work independently and discipline yourself to complete work in within the timeframe given. The course is offered over eight weeks, and you'll need to commit to six to eight hours a week. Each week you will have assigned readings, various experiences to reflect on, and you'll discuss the readings and experiences with fellow participants.

What is offered in the class?
Each week focuses on a different area: Why Technology?, Math, Reading, Writing, Social Studies, Science, and Assessment. Each week consists of the following components:

• Read It: Reading assignments such as an online articles or web sites are required.
• Talk It: Participants reflect on their reading, experiences, and learning in the discussion area and share ideas with colleagues.
• See It: Lots of integration ideas are shared for each content area.
• Do It: Participants complete a a small activity or experience one of the projects from the See It section and share the project and comments with classmates.
• Manage It: This section includes management tips for various classroom setups.
• Software Feature: Each week one or two exemplary software packages for that week's topic are featured.
• Web Share: Each week one or two exemplary web sites for that week's topic are featured.

I'm Ready To Sign Up. What Do I Need to Do?

1. Make sure you meet the prerequisites:

• Do you have basic computer skills? Can you save a file and find it again?
• Are you comfortable browsing the Internet?
• Do you regularly use email with a reliable email address?
• Do you have consistent reliable Internet access throughout the duration of the course? (Note: special arrangements can be made for the summer if you are offline on vacation for no more than a week during the course.)
• Do you have access to a computer with Kid Pix Studio Deluxe or Kid Pix Deluxe 3 to do assignments?

2. Are you sure online learning is for you? Look through this list and determine if you think online learning will work for you.

3. Do you have time for this course? Have you looked at your schedule and determined how you will get 6-8 hours in per week? The course is organized so that best participation includes an hour or two a day Monday through Friday, with the weekends used to catch up if necessary. There are four levels of participation in this course. Before you register, decide which level will work for you.

Payment:

• Mail check to AVLN, 5421 Covey Court, Lincoln, NE 68516-1876
• OR Pay with secure credit card payment online.
• OR Supply contact information for your employer if your institution is paying.

Please make sure your check or verification letter from your employer arrives by the 2nd week of class. Otherwise, your login will be disabled until your payment arrives.

Withdrawal Refund
If you decide to cancel, you must do so by the end of the first week of the class; otherwise you will be charged the full amount.

Certificates and Grades
Please note that course certificates and grades will be sent only when it has been paid for and has been successful completed.

K12 Teachers Needing Credit for Recertification: Please check with your union registrar BEFORE you register for the class to find out if you need to take the class for credit. It is very difficult to change this after you have finished the class, because if you need academic credit you'll need to do more work!

Register Now Note: Your registration is not complete until you receive a confirmation email. Be sure to click through all the registration screens to confirm.

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Last updated May 29, 2006