Assessment Methods

ECI430/530: Microcomputers and the Curriculum

The objective of both ECI 304 and ECI 430/530 is the integration of instructional technology in the curriculum. Students requesting experiential learning credit for these courses need to clearly illustrate the following: Specifically, examples for meaningful, active learning displayed through projects and other assignments will be examined. It is assumed that if the student has not had classroom experience, they will not be able to earn Experiential Learning credit for this component.

1. Mastery of current course competencies: Write a short (2-3 pages) paper describing how you meet the competencies outlined in the course (see below) in your classroom. Correct APA format is required for academic credit for those testing out of the 430/530 class.
2. Portfolio of student assignments illustrating use of technology: Submit (electronic format, hard copy, or combination of both) examples of assignments completed by your students that illustrate meaningful use of technology in your curriculum. Specifically, examples of meaningful, active learning displayed through projects and other assignments will be examined. It is assumed that if the student has not had classroom experience, they will not be able to test out of this component.
3. Resume: An expanded resume describing years of related experience and setting is required. This resume can exceed, and should exceed, one page.
4. Letter of recommendation: A letter of recommendation from student's current employer or supervisor is expected. This letter needs to have testimony that verifies student's experience in the classroom.

Course Competencies for ECI 430/530:

1. Examine and confront personal beliefs about the teaching/learning process and demonstrating acceptance for the technology/information age and imminent changes faced by future educators through synthesis papers and journals. Base information will come from the various Virginia Technology Standards documents, class discussions, required books, and/or readings supplied by the instructor.
2. Identify and apply various cognitive learning theories and their application to classroom technology use. Theories include Behaviorism, Generative Learning, and Constructivist Learning.
3. Outline the history of computers in education.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the important terms used in computer technology.
5. Describe a basic, minimally useful computer system. The description will include all needed components for contemporary computing including capacities of storage devices, monitor sizes and specifications, printer options and telecommunication devices with approximate prices.
6. Operate Windows and Macintosh computers.
7. Develop safe computing habits (e.g. anti-virus programs, password security issues).
8. Demonstrate proficiency using an electronic database (i.e. ERIC).
9. Describe and develop content-specific applications of word processors, databases, spreadsheets, paint and draw, telecommunications, and hypermedia.
10. Summarize the major differences between drill and practice, tutorials, simulations, games, and exploratory environments.
11. Use telecommunications for asynchronous communications (e-mail, listserv, discussion database).
12. Use appropriate search and evaluation strategies to explore and obtain information from the Internet.
13. Use the Internet to find examples of lessons and projects applicable to your classroom, and develop a plan for implementing use of the Internet in your classroom.
14. Use an authoring tool to develop a hypermedia document. Identify how it might be used as a media for student knowledge representation in your content area.
15. Explore concept mapping through the use of graphic organizers.
16. Develop strategies for implementing multimedia into classroom activities.
17. Create or modify a lesson plan, or a solution to an instructional problem, that utilizes technology.
18. Demonstrate knowledge of basic copyright guidelines for intellectual material and software.
19. Create documents conforming to APA style and format guidelines.