INTEGRATION OF TECHNOLOGY

ED 599 Emerging Technologies: PALM PDA

Course Description – This course is for participants who have no prior experience in the use of Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs).  Participants will have opportunities to collaborate and reflect on ways that PDAs and mobile technology can be used to enhance the teaching and learning process.  Participants will explore the potential of these technologies through hands-on activities, previewing software, creating eBooks as well as by collecting scientific data outside the classroom via PDAs and scientific probe ware.  The pros and cons for the effective integration of PDAs and mobile technology into the P-12 curriculum will be discussed.  At the conclusion of the course, participants will be able to evaluate the role that PDAs and mobile technology can have in shaping the future of education. Syllabus

Pre-requisites - Participants should be familiar with basic computer operations, including the use of Microsoft® Office. It is recommended that participants have completed ED578 Intro to Computers in Education or a similar course.  In addition, each participant must obtain a user name and password for his/her SHU Network Account prior to participating in this course.

Technology Requirements - A PC with Microsoft® Office, a CDRW drive, and Internet access. Access to a scanner and digital camera or camcorder is also required. Each participant will purchase a PALM PDA for the course (further details on course syllabus - this will be the equivalent to the cost of a textbook).

Sample Assignment - Locate resources, accessories and information concerning best PDA practices around the world; research ethical issues and staff development opportunities concerning use of PDAs in P-12 schools; design and create eBooks for a PDA, preview educational software to develop curriculum integration activities for P-12 grades. eBook Tips

Field Experience - Each participant will participate in a scientific-inquiry and probe ware field experience (e.g. on the shoreline of Long Island Sound at Stratford Point, in Stratford Connecticut) by using PDAs and scientific probe ware to collect data that can be analyzed in a classroom setting. The purpose of the field experience is to develop an awareness of how emerging technologies can be used to better understand and relate to our environment.  At the conclusion of the learning experience, participants will provide the data collection graphs and create a video reflection portraying the process of science inquiry as well as draws conclusions about best practices in data collection equipment handling and safety issues. Sensors Field Experience,  GPS Field Experience 

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The educational outcomes of this course are aligned with the following standards -

International Society of Technology in Education (ISTE)
     NETS-T  - I.a., I.b., II. a.-e., IV.b., V.a.-d., VI.a., VI.c., VI.d. 

Connecticut Common Core of Teaching (CCCT)
     I.4.b., I.4.c., I.4.d., I.4.f., II.1.b., II.2.b., II.4.a., II.4.b., II.4.d., III.4.b.

Connecticut Teacher Technology Competencies - All

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