Technology:

·        Describe how this program will utilize technological resources.

Technology skills are required throughout the Business, Management, Marketing, and Technology Program (BMMT ) and meets Standard Seven by completing the following objectives:

Objective one

To design and develop student learning activities that integrates information technology for a variety of student grouping strategies and diverse student populations.

Several courses within the BMMT program ensure BMMT majors meet this objective and the NCATE standards required for all programs in the College of Education. This objective is addressing several different aspect of students’ learning. Part one is designing and developing learning activities. This part of the objective is met within the two methods course in the program BEDU 364 and BEDU 365. Students in each class are required to prepare a two-week Unit Plan. Each class requires the students to present two lessons (a) via video tape and (b) live micro teaching. These two requirements also require students to prepare at least three computerized self-designed activities within the Unit Plan. In BEDU 364 the video tape and live micro teaching experience requires students to prepare lesson which are teacher centered. Whereas in BEDU 365 the video tape and micro lesson make use of students preparing lessons that are student centered. Each Unit has several requirements that meet the above named objective, competencies, and standards. For example within each course there is a requirement that at least one lesson (an entire day) must address the issue of diversity within the classroom. At least three of the activities within the lesson are computerized self-designed activities.

Prior to the methods course students are taught presentation skills using technologies such as PowerPoint in courses such as BEDU 201 Computer Technology, BEDU 224 Computer Based Business Mathematics, and BEDU 496 Database Records Management. In BEDU 210 Networking and PC, students are required to prepare a presentation using technology and disseminated in a group format.

Objective Two

To identify resources for staying current in applications of information technology in education.

This objective is met in all of the courses within the technology portion of the BMMT program. Specifically, students are required in BEDU 201 to use internet resources to update changes and trends with various software used.

In BEDU 365 the leading publishers in Technology present their latest textbooks. Within these visit the representatives include techniques and methods of maintaining current understanding of technology and how to include the latest technologies in the delivery of instruction.

In BEDU 210, students are required to build a network in a group format. Each groups design (including success and difficulties) are included in a presentation at the conclusion of the class. Within the activities required for this course students learn not only through traditional methods but the instructor relies on innovative techniques and discovery learning.

Objective Three

To demonstrate knowledge of uses of multi-media, hyper-media, telecommunications, and distance learning to support instruction.

Several of the competencies of BEDU 311 meet the third objective. For example voice recognition is leading edge technology that the student learns not only the use of the software, but methods used to teach the use of voice recognition.

Other leading communication technologies are taught within BEDU 311 such as the use of Bluetooth and other wireless technology methods. This course also includes such competencies as chat rooms techniques, hybrid delivery of course material and how these techniques are used. In addition, within the course students are required to build a two-week lesson plan emphasizing technology and the delivery of instruction.

In BEDU 364 and 365, students are video taped during delivery of instruction. Students deliver this taping in person, by mail, or electronic file. Students experience the process of developing instruction for distance and alternative methods of instruction.

Objective Four

To demonstrate knowledge about instructional management resources that assist in such activities as writing lesson plans and tests. and promoting, reinforcing, and organizing data regarding student performance.

In several BEDU courses students are required to use technology in the management and delivery of instruction. In BEDU 363, students are required to develop a two-week module unit using technology to meet students’ individualized needs in vocational education. In BEDU 364 and 365 students are required to build a unit integrating technology. Within the units developed students must include assessment plans to ensure students have learned content of courses taught.

In BEDU 201 and 224 students learn the use of Microsoft Excel and the ability to use the application to gather data for student assessment. Students are required to evaluate data and make decision from the information gathered. These competencies are met through the use of case studies and projects.

Within the methods and curriculum courses students learn different methodologies of using technology to develop exemplary lesson plans. In these courses student are taught to develop instructional objectives to meet the content of each subject taught. The School of Technology Studies faculty has adopted the Mager style of objectives to maintain consistency across all business content areas. Students use Mager objectives to construct their unit plan for student teaching.

Objective Five

To use information technologies to support student problem solving, data collection, information management, communications, presentations, database management, spreadsheets and information technology.

Students obtain all of the above competencies in all courses within the BMMT program. In the lower-division courses such as (BEDU 119, 123, and 220) competencies required to enter the program, students must possess the ability to construct many different forms of communication using advance technologies. BEDU 100, 201, 210, and 311 require students to be able to use various software applications to gather data and materials to make rational decisions. These courses include a component which includes an oral presentation and requires dissemination of material requiring gathering and interpreting data.

In BEDU 201 students learn the database application Access. In BEDU 496 students learn how to maintain an organization using database. Other concepts included within BEDU 496 are: information security, database management, visual basic applications, and SQL.

In BEDU 496 students are required to develop a project (authentic assessment) including all of the elements to use a structured database within a corporation or other business entity. Students present their findings using presentation software. An assessment portion is included within the project. Each assignment includes a rubric for students to appreciate and learn the appropriateness of having rigid guidelines for grading technology assignments.

During student teaching the above competencies discussed are met. All business education students teach at least one software application course and one traditional course during their intern teaching. These experiences are also included within the individual’s experience in the workforce. Students are required to support content with 4,000 hours of practical work experience. In the new rules, students may use up to 1,000 hours of student teaching to count in the work experience hours.

Objective Six

To demonstrate appreciation of equity, ethical, legal, social, physical, and psychological issues concerning use of information technology.

Students are introduced to the above mentioned competencies in many different BEDU courses. Primarily the lower-division classes introduce the concepts and the upper-division course integrate their use. For example BEDU 293 Law introduces the concepts of equity, ethical legal, social, physical, and psychological issues in business. Students use these concepts to relate to and include what is right and wrong concerning technology within a school system.

BEDU 210 and BEDU 344 require students to understate the code of ethics associated with networking organizations. These concepts are included in discussions of ethic issues relative to business compared to educational settings.

Networking applications are included within the courses BEDU 210 and BEDU 344. Students learn ethical issues of corporate, educational, and government entities in implementing and maintaining networks. These competencies include issues such as intellectual property and who has ownership. In addition, students learn what is ethical and socially acceptable in all working environments 

In the courses BEDU 210 and 344 unethical issues such as establishing codes of conduct for users are included. Course content also includes discussion of how these codes of conduct are maintained and enforced.

In BEDU 311 students learn leading technologies as it relates to modern media. For example, in the Summer of 2005, students will learn to use voice recognition software, electronic hand-held devices such as notebooks and Pocket PC’s (PDA), and video editing devices including hardware and software.

In BEDU 365 and BEDU 364 students learn classroom management in relationship to technology enforcing codes of conduct, zero tolerance concept, and severity of infractions are included. Also included in these courses is philosophy of education and student’s believes of technology and how its use fits into society. Special needs evaluation and psychological concepts are learned in these courses.

Objective Seven

To use information technology to enhance continuing professional development through such activities as chat groups, news services, and virtual conferences.  The ultimate aim, therefore, is to enhance professional practice through an ability to use information technology to enhance learning and personal/professional productivity.

As computer technology is used in many different classes within the BMMT program, the Internet is used in BEDU 100, BEDU 201, BEDU 210 and LAW 293 to research teacher education content in Business Education course assignments. Authentic assessment projects are used for students to integrate material from the Internet into problem solving and are included in the objectives of the classes.

In BEDU 210 students are required to engage in distance technology learning. For example students are required to participate and complete two different activities in Michigan Virtual University or some other corporate venue. These activities require students to use electronic tutorials for learning. Students receive a hands-on experience of distance learning.

In BEDU 363, 364, and 365, 200 students have a professional development component included as a course requirement. Students are obligated to attend one professional development session for each course. Many choose to judge events at the Business Professionals of America at various locations across the state. The location of the event is determined by the competition level (regional, state, and national).