Learning and Teaching DigiTools

 

Digital Communication Tools and Systems (DigiTools) are Voice, Handwriting, and Handheld Technologies

 

BEDU 311

 

Course Description

 

Digital Communication Tools and Systems

DigiTools (acronym) is a new grouping of technology inputs that are crucial to all careers in the Information Age.

 

Learning and teaching Digital Communication Tools and Systems provides an opportunity to learn new technology input skills in a hands-on setting and methods of teaching are deeply integrated. A portion of course is to help you develop and revise curriculum for your classes to incorporate the DigiToolsl. As Michigan has adopted the federal clusters and has aligned them with our Michigan’s six career pathways, new technology skills are crucial to your BMMT Pathway program. We will delve into the national and state standards pertinent to your program.

 

We want each participant to build skills that he/she wants to learn AND we want you to gather new ideas for your own classes. One of the key components of this methods class is to create lesson plans and classroom activities that teach DigiTools.

 

Course Goals

 

§         Understand standards for Michigan's schools as related to digital communication tools and systems

§         Learn to use and how to teach handheld technology

§         Learn to use and how to teach voice input technology with Dragon NaturallySpeaking and Microsoft Office

§         Learn to use and how to teach handwriting input technology with Microsoft Office and Tablet PC

§         Develop DigiTools lesson plans for classroom activities

§         Create integrated projects to incorporate DigiTools mastery infused with other business and information technology course content

§         Gather new teaching strategies for your classes

 

Course Objectives and Requirements

 

Course Objectives and requirements with estimated timeframe are the following:

 

  1. Build Internet Savvy such as Internet search, download, upload, join online services for free, find graphics, pictures, other useful items, organizing what you find. (1-2 hours)

 

  1. Finding and adapting standards available online. (2-4 hours)

 

  1. What are IT User Skills and how do we teach them? General Computer Skills using Operating System items such as file maintenance, computer maintenance, back up, etc. (1-3 hours)

 

  1. Handheld expertise to expand your desktop to your handheld and synch information gathered "out in the field" back to the desktop. Download free software and create lesson plans. (3-6 hours)

 

  1. Voice input technology -- yes, you can enter words by your voice using Dragon NaturallySpeaking version 7 or Microsoft Office XP's Word 2002 and 2003. After spending a few hours getting acquainted with the software AND the software getting to know your voice, you'll be able to hit speeds of more than twice of that in keyboarding. (15-20 hours)

 

  1. Handwriting tablet technology -- learn the capabilities of inputting with a digital pen and a writing tablet. (3-4 hours)

 

  1. Tablet PC technology -- unleash the power of Microsoft's newest operating system and write on your computer screen with a digital pen (3-4 hours)

 

  1. One Note software -- learn what it is and how to teach it (6-8 hours)

 

  1. Create a lesson plan to teach digital inputs including voice, handwriting, tablet PC, and handheld computers (6-8 hours)

 

  1. Create an integrated activity that teaches students DigiTools and that can be completed by students in one class period. Demo your activity to others in our class. (4-6 hours)

 

  1. Create an integrated comprehensive project teaches students DigiTools and that can be completed by students in one or two weeks. Demo your activity to others in our class. (4-6 hours)

 

  1. Create a course syllabus for DigiTools to be incorporated into your classes. (2 to 3 hours)

 

  1. Upload your lesson plans and projects to the Internet for ease in using at your school this fall (2-3 hours)

 

Week 1

 

Course overview and why is this important?

 

Part A -- Standards and Benchmarks

 

  • ISTE Standards
  • MI Technology Plan (MI Tech Standards)
  • MI Curriculum Framework (MI Climb of academics)
  • No Child Left Behind
  • Education Yes
  • BMMT Pathway (MI)
  • NBEA Standards

 

Part B -- Self-assessment

Reflect on your knowledge about teaching the standards and determine your strengths and weakness in relation to the standards.

 

Part C -- Goal selection

What is your desired outcome of our DigiTools class? Peruse the goals and requirements and customize your emphasis.

                       

Week 2

 

Part D -- Preparation

Enroll in online group to upload assignments

 

Part E -- Finding Michigan Standards' Files

 

Files for Michigan curriculum are located at the following Yahoo Group. Join the group to obtain the files.

www.groups.yahoo.com/group/mibmmt

 

Part F -- Voice Input Module Introduction

Enroll in voice input software and complete the orientation techniques.

 

Week 3

 

Voice Input Software Editing Techniques

Introduction to Handwriting Input

 

Week 4

 

Voice Input Software Intermediate Techniques

Handwriting Input Signature in Microsoft Office

 

Week 5

 

Voice Input Software Advanced Techniques

Handwriting Input with Tablet PC

 

Week 6

 

Voice Input Software Teaching Strategies I

Handwriting Input with Adobe Photoshop Elements

 

Week 7

 

Voice Input Software Teaching Strategies II

Handheld Technology Introduction

 

Week 8

 

Voice Input Software Teaching Strategies III

Handheld Technology Teaching Activities

 

Week 9

 

Voice Input Software Teaching Strategies III

Handheld Technology Teaching Activities

 

Week 10

 

One Note Software Introduction

Putting It Altogether Strategies I

 

Week 11

 

Putting It Altogether Strategies II

One Note Software Advanced Techniques

 

 

Week 12

 

Putting It Altogether Strategies III

 

Week 13

 

Lesson Planning for DigiTools Integration I

 

Week 14

 

Lesson Planning for DigiTools Integration II

 

Week 15

 

Lesson Planning for DigiTools Integration III

Final Project Due

 

 

Bibiliography

 

 

Speaking Solutions.com (2004). Nifty Fifty Training Series. Retrieved July 20, 2004, from http://www.speakingsolutions.com/books/index.html

 

E. Dittmar (2003). IT User Skills. Retrieved July 20, 2004, from http://www.eileendittmar.org

 

Digital Image Creation  by Hisaka Kojima; Peachpit Press; Berkeley, CA; 1999.

Essentials of Digital Photography by Akirs Kasai and Russell Sparkman; New Riders;

Indianapolis, IN; 1997.

 

How to Digitize Video by Johnson, N., F.Gault, and M.Florence; J.Wiley; New York,

New York; 1994.

 

Imaging Essentials  by Cohen, L.S., R.Brown, and T. Wendling; Adobe Press; Mountain View, CA; 1993.

 

Interacting By Design  by Ray Kristof and Amy Satran; Adobe Press; Mountain View, CA; 1995.

 

 

Internet Audio  by Lee Purcell and Jordan Hemphill; John Wiley and Sons; New York,

NY; 1997.

 

Multimedia: Making it work by Tay Vaughan; Osborne McGraw-Hill Publishers; 1996.

Photoshop Type Magic by Greg Simsic and David Lai; Hayden Books; Indianapolis, IN; 1995.

 

Real World After Effects by Sherry London and Eric Reinfeld; Peachpit Press; Berkeley, CA; 1997.

Course Expectations and Grading Rubric

Instructions: Complete this rubric as you move through the course and submit at final class

 

 

Your Name

Activity Required

Points Possible

Points Earned

Research of standards applicable for your program(s); prepare a webquest that includes the URL and a one paragraph description of the site

10

 

 

 

 

Completion of your program alignment to state standards and perform a needs analysis

10

 

 

 

 

Research for lesson plans, syllabus, rubrics, and other teaching tips; prepare a webquest that includes the URL and a one paragraph description of the site.

10

 

 

 

 

Completion of handwriting input module

10

 

 

 

 

Completion of voice input module (Dragon)

30

 

 

 

 

Completion of handheld technology module

10

 

 

 

 

Completion of tablet PC module

10

 

 

 

 

Completion of one lesson plan for teaching DigiTools -- minimum 50% voice inputted

20

 

 

 

 

Completion of One Note module

20

 

 

 

 

Completion of 1-day integrated class activity for students -- minimum 50% voice inputted

20

 

 

 

 

Completion of 1-2 week integrated project for students -- minimum 50% voice inputted

20

 

 

 

 

Completion of handwriting input practice done with Photoshop elements or Pro-create Painter

10

 

 

 

 

Completion of handheld technology webquest of software and how to’s

10

 

 

 

 

Learn and demo two programs on the hand held computer; know how to download from the Internet; sychn to handheld, and beem to another handheld

10

 

 

 

 

Learn and demo handwriting tablet features with two other software programs

10

 

 

 

 

TOTAL

200

 

Demo means that you create your own “how to” steps and show others at your work station what you learned. 5-10 minutes.