Course Descriptions

EDIT 600: Cognitive Foundations of Education
This course explores cognitive models of understanding, learning and memory, with applications to instruction. Students will use cognitive and neural net models to design learning environments, and examine the effects of using various technologies on cognition and performance improvement.

EDIT 605: Instructional Systems Design
Examines strategies, trends, issues and research findings related to the design and development of standards-based instructional systems and programs. Focuses on both behavioral and cognitive strategies for instructional design including the theory and research background related to each approach. Students will apply these strategies in assessment of needs, analysis, design, development, management and evaluation of an instructional system or program. Requires development of an instructional program or unit for a teaching or training application.

EDIT 606: Technology, Methods and Materials
Covers technology-enhanced instructional methods and curriculum development. Students will create a unit plan consisting of a set of lessons that integrate the use of technology in teaching and learning. Also cover fundamentals of classroom management.

EDIT 610: New Technologies for Learning 1
Covers creation of learning objects, including text, raster/vector graphics, animations, slideshows, conferencing components, and videos for instructional Webs. Use of digital image capture equipment, including digital cameras, camcorders, and scanners. Also covers basic HTML, PDF and OCR. Final project will be integration of elements into an instructional Web.

EDIT 615: New Technologies for Learning 2
A continuation of New Technologies for Learning I, completing coverage of learning objects and introducing their utilization in the implementation of instructional systems. Students will complete projects via integration of components using high-level authoring systems and programming.

EDIT 620: Multimedia Curriculum Development
An introduction to multimedia authoring for classroom and/or training applications using Flash. Students will collaborate on the development of a graded sequence of laboratory projects, and then produce a unique presentation suitable for use in their instructional setting.

EDIT 625: Digital Video for Instruction
A practical introduction to digital video and its applications in instruction. Topics include capture technologies, camera techniques, non-linear editing, effects, sound engineering, lighting, pre/post- production, and distribution.

EDIT 630: Networks and Distributed Learning Systems
Covers concepts, security, acceptable use, and applications of client-server, peer-to-peer, and wireless networks in distributed learning environments. Hands-on activities utilize standard open source network operating system solutions (Linux/Moodle).

EDIT 635: Computer-based Training and Assessment
A project-based introduction to the design and implementation of computer-based training (CBT) modules using standard authoring tools. Covers the five major categories of CBT applications; tutorials, drills, simulations, instructional games, and tests. Students will determine the goal of a lesson, design and flowchart appropriate instruction, develop storyboard displays, program (using Authorware), prepare supporting print materials, and evaluate outcomes.

EDIT 640: Graphical User-Interface Design
A survey of proven strategies for improving the human computer interface and usability in instructional systems. Topics include usability testing, interface building tools, direct manipulation and virtual environments, menu selection and form fill-in, command and natural languages, interaction devices, response time and delay, presentation style, window management strategies, help and tutorial systems, and visualization.

EDIT 645: EPS and Intelligent Tutoring Systems
This course covers the utilization of intelligent tutoring systems (ITS) in instruction. Topics include procedural and declarative knowledge representations, learner domains, teacher strategies, and implementations using a high-level, easy-to-use popular ITS authoring tool.

EDIT 650: Internet Programming
An introduction to the creation of dynamic Web sites for educational and training applications. Covers forms processing using bots and CGI, Java/VB, scripts, ASP, multimedia using Flash and animated GIFs, and dynamic HTML.

EDIT 655: Animation and Simulation for Instruction
Covers principles of computer animation and simulation for instructional applications. Topics include 2D/3D foundations, model creation and character design, special effects, logo animation, scene design, motion study, and control.

EDIT 660: Computer-Mediated Communication
Explores contemporary issues in the field of computer-mediated communication related to education and training. Topics include cyberspace, new media, online journalism, e-books and e-publishing, network/netplay, electronic paralanguage, persistent conversation, virtual organizations, virtual reality, visualization, presence, e-commerce, copyright/left, transcopyright, and emerging law on the electronic frontier.

EDIT 665: Distance Learning
A survey of contemporary issues in distance learning. Topics include foundations, definitions, history, theories, delivery technologies, instructional design, best practices for instructors, student perspectives and considerations, and research. Students will conduct a graded series of 3 presentations using televised and online solutions.

EDIT 670: Computer Maintenance and Help Desk
Covers technology support and remedies for the most common PC malfunctions. Students will disassemble and reconstruct PCs in the Academic Computing Classroom to gain familiarity with system components. Also covers technical support and basic Help Desk functions, including end-user support, strategies for local and remote diagnosis of hardware and software problems, and policies fair use and maintenance.

EDIT 675: Java for AP Computer Science Teachers
An intensive introduction to Java programming for secondary school AP computer science teachers. Includes effective instructional strategies covering the standard College Board AB curriculum using the AP Java subset.

EDIT 680: Adaptive Technologies
An introductory course to expose students to a variety of technologies used by and with persons with exceptionalities. Students will gain hands-on skills in designing technology-based instructional materials for students with a wide range of exceptionalities. A focus on Universal Design for Learning is at the core of this course—with a goal of providing students with the ability to adapt technology, instruction, and assessment to meet a range of student needs. Exposure to adaptive and assistive technologies, as well as state-of-the-art software and hardware, will take place during the course.

EDIT 685: Research Methods and Thesis
This course presents a systematic survey of research principles, methods and practices in educational and learning technologies. Content will focus on the role of research in acquiring and disseminating information, methods of constructing hypotheses, developing research designs and selecting procedures for observation and measurement. Other topics include reviewing evaluation studies, understanding different approaches to educational research, analyzing data, and writing a research proposal.

EDIT 690: Practicum
This course is a structured field experience in a public school. The goals of the course are to facilitate the student’s awareness of self, of school pupils, and of prospective teachers. The course is an elective for other majors. The number of semester hours taken will be determined with the student’s advisor.

EDIT 681: Cyber Ethics and School Law
Examine the rights and responsibilities of teachers and students as they interact in the world of technology. Course content includes: privacy on the internet, spamming, protecting children, copyright law, cryptography issues, causing personal harm through the internet as well as harassment in cyberspace. Covers the effect of the IDEA and ADA and other legislated mandates, including Title 17 – The Children’s Internet Protection Act on teachers in the classroom. Issues of diversity (learning, cultural, linguistic, gender, sex, etc.) in relation to the law, technology, and classroom teaching are discussed and strategies of dealing with these issues are developed. Students will demonstrate their ability to use Lexis/Nexis as a resource and search tool.

EDIT 820: Administrative Computing Applications
Covers applications of computers in public school central and district office operations, and independent schools. Topics include budget and equipment management, payroll, grades, scheduling, billing, school store, admissions, networks, development, integrated and distance learning systems, project management, distributed file management, and data warehousing. Use of decision support systems and what-if analysis for strategic planning is also addressed.

EDUC 591: Educational Software Evaluation
Students will study a wide range of software packages to determine strong and weak points, and write evaluation reports. Media include print, film, audio, video, multimedia, Web, traditional shareware/freeware/software. Protocols developed by EPIE (Educational Products Information Exchange) Institute will serve as the basis for the evaluations. Issues of effective human/computer interface design will also be explored using the GOMS task analysis model.