Day 1: Getting Started

Welcome to EDIT 2000! The purpose of this course is to help you to explore the tools that can support teaching and learning in a P-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 technological tools in the P-12 classroom.

In order to find and document these appropriate uses of technology, you will work independently, in partners, and in groups to prepare educational activities for specific curriculum topics. You will play the role of a classroom teacher and use your content knowledge, understanding of teaching and learning strategies, and your technology skills to develop real applications for the various tools explored during the semester. Your final product will be a web-based set of activities to teach a specific curriculum objective.

The instructors for the 8:00 Summer EDIT 2000 are Drew Polly and Gretchen Thomas. The instructors for the 11:45 class are Gretchen Thomas, Feng Wang, and Min Ling. The course website will give you all of the background information you need. The syllabus will give you specifics on what to expect during the semester. Know the syllabus well -- there could be a quiz!

The only materials you'll need for this course are a key drive and a 3-ring binder to keep track of handouts. We use Macintosh and Windows computers in this lab -- so you'll need to become familiar with both operating systems. Think schools don't use Macs? Think again . . .

So, what does technology integration look like?Harrison County High School in Gulfport, Mississippi is a wonderful example of students and teachers using technology tools for learning. If that's not enough, see how Mary Scroggs Elementary School in Chapel Hill, North Carolina integrates technology to help younger children learn.

It's time to get started -- there are three background articles to read and you'll need to familiarize yourself with the standards for the grade level/content area you'll be focusing on this semester. You'll also want to read over the handout about ISTE standards for Students. Here's another article about ISTE (pdf) that you'll need to read. We'll talk about LoTi levels on Friday so start reading over them and learning the different levels.

Most importantly, in order for us to learn more about you (and to get a head start on one or our first projects) you will need to submit a professional resume. This is due at the beginning of class Friday. You'll want everything to look professional, so use a resume template . If you have any questions, remember that we are always glad to help!