Technology in the Early Elementary Classroom Syllabus
Offered by Adventist Virtual Learning Network

Credit Options:
3 quarter graduate credits from La Sierra University.
2 semester graduate credits from Andrews University.
2 semester undergraduate credits from HSI/Griggs.
1 38 clock-hour PAC.

Time Online:

Audience: K-3 Teachers (4-6 teachers welcome too)

Instructor:
Janine Lim, Instructional Technology Consultant, Berrien County ISD; janine@janinelim.com; Vitae available at http://www.janinelim.com/vitae/vitae.htm.

Course Description:
This instructor-led online course focuses on the integration of technology in the early elementary classroom. Special attention is given to the needs of early elementary students and the unique learning environment of K-3 classrooms. The course will include reading assignments from current journal articles, integration ideas for the core curriculum areas, hands-on practice with KidPix and digital cameras, discussion with peers in the class, and completion of a final culminating project.

Learning Online with AVLN:
Online learning with AVLN is based on a participatory model where each individual is required to actively engage in conversation and the development of knowledge, skills, and beliefs. You can expect to interact with the concepts of the class, the instructor(s), the other participants, and your previous experiences. You will notice the integration of spiritual activities throughout the course. If you have special learning needs, please contact one of the instructors.

Course Objectives:
Participants will

Modes of instruction:
Teachers in this course will participate in online collaborative groups, do hands-on activities in learning and practicing the software, access web sites, and read and discuss required reading covering current research and instructional theory.

Detailed Agenda:
This course will be instructor-led and paced throughout an six week period. Each week will include the following components within the suggested schedule:

Each week will include a different topic to focus on. Following are the topics for each week:

    1. Intro / Why Technology?
    2. Math
    3. Language Arts
    4. Social Studies and Bible
    5. Science
    6. Assessment and Present Final Project

Course Requirements:

Read It
Complete reading assignments and reading response questions.

Week One: Why Technology?

Week Two: Math & Ethics

Week Three: Language Arts

Week Four: Social Studies and Bible

Week Five: Science

Week Six: Assessment and Wrap Up

Talk It
25 pts. weekly x 6 weeks = 150 pts
Each week there will be Talk It questions based on the reading and your experience. Since much of your learning will take place as a result of the level of dialogue we engender, the following should act as guidelines to your "posts": a) include accounts of your own experience, b) ask expansive questions - ones with no right or wrong answer - ones to stimulate thinking and lead to deeper understandings, c) build on previous "posts" by agreeing, disagreeing, giving examples, asking questions, defining issues/terms, d) suggest metaphors. It is expected that you will spend 2-3 hours per week on the web interacting with others. It is highly recommended that you login at least half an hour daily to keep up with the discussion.

See It
Explore the integration ideas (40-60 curriculum ideas each week).
Graduate credit requirement: Include in your Talk It response a description of how you'll use at least one See It idea each week.

Do It
25 pts. Weekly x 6 weeks = 150 pts
Complete the Do It learning exercises assigned successfully. Each week you will create a small project example and post it in the Do It Forum for that week. You are expected to give feedback to your colleagues. Following are suggested starter words for your feedback:

Manage It
View (and print if you'd like) the management tips for each week.

Software Feature
Read about the featured software for each week's topic.

Web Share
Explore the two exemplary web sites for each week’s topic.

Final Project Options
200 pts total
5 pts Intention Email
20 pts Feedback to Others
175 pts Project
There are five choices for the final project. Choose something that will be useful to you and you can apply immediately in your situation. Your final project will be shared with the class for feedback in Week 6, and it will be posted on the AVLN web site as well.

Note: The quality and length of your final project should be in proportion to the level of credit you are expecting for this class (i.e. if you choose a lesson plan, at the PAC level it may be 2 pages; at the undergrad level it may be 3 plus a rubric included; at the graduate level it may be 4-5 pages with detailed instructions and examples).

A. Lesson Plan
Write a lesson plan using ideas that you've gained in this course. Your lesson plan should include the following components.

B. Implementation Schedule
Using the management schedule ideas from Manage It in week 4, create a classroom computer use schedule for your computer availability and your situation. Then create another schedule for 4-6 weeks with the ideas or activities that you will have students do for each rotation of students through your computer learning center. Include a variety of content areas. Depending on when you're taking this class, create the schedule for the closest 4-6 weeks that you can use the schedule. Include:

C. Workshop Outline and Resources
If you're a tech coordinator, you may want to create a workshop plan, outline, and collect resources and handouts for the workshop. Include:

D. Team Teaching Plan
If you're a computer teacher, you may want to generate two activities that you can team teach with two other teachers in your building. How can you integrate what you're doing with what happens in the classroom? Include:

E. Observation Rubric
If you're a principal, you may want to create a rubric for classroom observations. What will you look for as you observe teachers integrating technology into their curriculum?

Method(s) of Evaluation/Grading:
Talk It 25 pts. Weekly x 6 weeks = 150 pts
Do It Projects 25 pts. Weekly x 6 weeks = 150 pts
Final Project 200 pts

100‑90% A
89‑80% B
79‑70% C
69-60% D

Bibliography:
Ballweg, J. (2000). Kid Pix ABC—Art, Books, and Computers. Eugene, OR: ISTE.

Campbell, H. (1998). Managing Technology in the Early Childhood Classroom.
Westminster, CA: Teacher Created Materials.

Carroll, J. A., Kelly, M. G., & Witherspoon, T. (2003). NETS•S Curriculum Series—Multidisciplinary Units for Prekindergarten Through Grade 2. Eugene, OR: ISTE.

Casey, J. (1997). Early Literacy: The Empowerment of Technology. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited.

Casey, J. (2000). Creating the Early Literacy Classroom: Activities for Using Technology to Empower Elementary Students. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited.

Evans, M., Larson, J., & Norris, J. (1998). Early Math Activities on the Computer : Grades K-1. Monterey, CA: Evan-Moor Corp.

Haugland, S. & Wright, J. (1997). Young Children and Technology: A World of Discovery. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.

ISTE. (2000). National Educational Technology Standards for Students—Connecting Curriculum and Technology. Eugene, OR: ISTE.

ISTE. (2002). National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers—Preparing Teachers to Use Technology. Eugene, OR: ISTE.

Jasmine, G., & Cain, J. (2000). Early Childhood Activities With Internet Connections. Westminster, CA: Teacher Created Materials.