EME 6405: Educational Technology & Teaching

Course Objectives: 

• The student will produce his or her own definition of the educational technology production process. 
• The student will apply theories of learning to the design of an educational technology. 
• The student will investigate innovate ways to 'know' implementation audiences. 
• The student will describe how knowledge about how the mind works impacts the design of educational technologies. 
• The student will explore different facets of designing effective instructional technologies. 
• The student will define and list important components of human-computer interaction. 
• The student will define and describe the 'Media Equation.' 
• The student will utilize evaluation research to summarize tactics for user interface evaluation and implementation research. 
• The student will explain social and cultural implications of technology implementations.
• The student will explore a person or theory in education and explain how that person or theory is important to educational technology production. 
• The student will teach a lesson on a technology product or skill that is new to them. 
• The student will produce an educational technology to solve an educational problem for an authentic audience. 

Course Outline: 

1. The Design Process History of Educational Technologies 
2. Knowing Your Audience 
3. How the Mind Works 
4. Designing Effective Instruction 
5. Human Computer Interaction (HCI) 
6. The Media Equation 
7. Evaluating Implementations 
8. Social and Cultural Implications of Technology Innovation Implementations 

Course Readings: There is no course pack or textbook for EME 6405. Readings will be provided to you prior to class sessions, either in photocopied or online formats. You will be required to provide at least one article to your classmates prior to your biography lesson.  Please see the 'Readings' section for more information.

Course Projects & Assignments: See 'Assignments' section. 

Course Schedule: Each four-hour class will be divided into four parts. 

1. 1. Discussion on a specific topic related to educational technology production (90 minutes-2 hours). 
2. Biography presentation by a student (15-20 minute presentation, 25-30 minute discussion). 
3. Technology lesson presentation by a student (40-50 minutes for presentation and hands-on experience) 
4. In-class project time, group time, and help (remaining time). 

See the Calendar for specific topics. 

Course Grading: Your grade is calculated on meeting course policies and the grades received on assignments and projects. Grading weights are listed below. 

Course Grading Scale: 

A    100-93 
B+    92-87 
B      86-83 
C+    82-77 
C      76-73 
D      72-63 
E      63-Below 

Course Policies: This is a graduate-level seminar, and you are expected to meet the following policies. 

• This is a graduate class and I expect assignments to be completed in a professional and scholarly manner. 
• Students are expected to conform to all policies of the University of Florida and work within the honor code. Please read the University of Florida Academic Honestly Student Guide and the University of Florida's Acceptable Use Policy. 
• This course depends on the input and participation of all students. More about participation can be found under "Course Grading." However, attendance is required at ALL class sessions. If you are ill or unable to attend a class for extenuating circumstances, you must notify the instructor prior to the class. Missing classes will negatively impact your grade. 
• You are very welcome in this class. However, even though this is a technology seminar, pagers, beepers, cell phones, etc., are not welcome. They are very disruptive to the learning environment. 
• This course is very time intensive. Please make sure you have enough time to devote to successful completion of this course. Outside class time will be spent learning computer programs, taking part in electronic discussions, meeting with project teams, and reading articles. 
• I will be available during posted office hours. I am very willing to meet with you outside of those hours, but you will have to make a specific appointment with me. 
• I do not give incompletes, a grade of (I), except in extremely unusual circumstances. It is up to you to plan accordingly and finish all work during the scope of this course. 

ADA Statement: "Students with disabilities, who need reasonable modifications to complete assignments successfully and otherwise satisfy course criteria, are encouraged to meet with the instructor as early in the course as possible to identify and plan specific accommodations. Students WILL be asked to supply a letter from the [Office for Students with Disabilities] to assist in planning accommodations."