Using the Internet for Curriculum Applications

• Reflective practice: In this course, you will learn not just the tools and resources of the Internet, but also how these can be used to further curricular goals throughout the K-16 curriculum. In particular, you will be asked to bring your own classroom experiences and challenges to class and look at them in new ways based on the tools and resources that are available.

• Diverse communities of learners: The Internet provides a new and expanding opportunity to work closely with people of all ages, from vastly different cultural backgrounds, and from any place on the globe. We will explore ways to bring all of these resources to bear within the curriculum. In addition, projects will focus on providing students with opportunities to take advantage of both physical and human resources to achieve their goals.

• Scholar: Among the dispositions that you will adopt are the scholarly ones of wanting to know how other professionals have addressed the challenges that your students display, critical reading of their written accounts, and adaptation of their methods to suit your needs. Your required readings include articles both from classroom practitioners and scholars who have critically reviewed the field. In addition, you will locate and read articles on topics of specific relevance to shape your own curriculum projects.

• Problem solver: The primary focus of this course is on applying the tools and resources of the Internet to K-12 classrooms. The Internet is both growing and changing rapidly and strongly focused on commercial endeavors. You will need to develop strategies to stay current with tools and resources; to develop management practices for your classroom to deal with limited technology resources and time for your students, virtually unlimited resources on the Internet, and potentially harmful encounters or information; and develop a critical eye to apply these tools and resources to the content standards across the curriculum.

• Partner: The Internet provides greatly expanded opportunities for teachers and students to develop partnerships. Within the class, we will emphasize the need to draw on each other to meet the goals of the course. Beyond the class, we will explore ways to use Internet tools to tap into the network of individuals around the globe who are willing to help either by personal involvement with classes or individulals or by the resources they regularly make available. The required curriculum project should reflect this same kind of partnership to achieve a common goal.

Due dates for all assignments are listed with the full assignment description in Serf. Unless special arrangements are made, these dates are firm. Each day an assignment is late will reduce the highest attainable grade by one step. That is, on the due date the highest possible grade is A; one day late the highest possible grade is an A-; two days late a B+; and so forth.
 

1. Readings: Throughout the syllabus, you'll find the readings that will elaborate on each day's topic. These readings are to be completed prior to each day's class.

2. Daily Assignments: As you progress through the class, we'll be exploring a variety of topics. Following each class, you will work as a team with another student to complete one or more reflective questions in Serf related to that day's topic. During the following day's class you'll be expected to report on your work. Each submission should be clearly marked with both people's names so full credit can be given. It is not necessary -- in fact, it is desireable not to -- work with the same partner every day. Because each day will be start with a class discussion of the previous day's work, assignment due dates are intended to be before the start of class on the day the assignment is due.

 
3. A Web Page to show off your skills : Each student will produce and publish a web page to demonstrate some basic web skills.   (10% of grade)

 
4. Best of ... Web Page: Each student will produce a web page to be used as a resource for students in their own classes.   (15% of grade)

 
5. Evaluation of a WebQuest : Each student will evaluate a WebQuest or work with a partner and evaluate two WebQuests..   (15% of grade)

 
6. Curriculum Project: Working singly or in pairs, create a series of lesson plans, curriculum materials, or a unit plan which use Internet resources as an integral part. Remember this course is about using Internet materials and tools to further your curricular goals. That means that the project is not about teaching people about how to use the Internet but can be about anything else in your curriculum. (32% of grade)

  Here is a sampling of projects from previous years..

• Reports and discussion on the previous day's explorations.
   
• Lecture/demonstration on topics of the day. Class time will be divided between discussion of the current topic, exploration of specific implementation issues, and an outline of the expected accomplishments to be prepared for the next session.

 
• Participants should expect to spend 3-4 hours each day in the lab or on home computers to prepare for the next day's class. Final projects are due two weeks after the class ends.

Since one objective of the class is for all participants to return to their schools ready to help others use the Internet effectively, each participant should take an active role in helping other class members to use the tools effectively and find new resources.