An Introduction to EDAL670

Welcome!!!

It 's my great pleasure to welcome you to this web-based courses EDAL670 - Technology for Leaders.

As the name implies, this course is designed to give leaders and administrators a general overview of a variety of technologies. For many leaders life has become much more complicated trying to live the technology dream. Where is technology leadership headed in the 21st Century? What does an administrator need to know?

Course Content

This course shows leaders how to plan for technology, now, and in the future. It will also look at technology integration models of staff development and the philosophical basis for technology usage in businesses, colleges and school systems to enhance learning. It will survey contemporary educational technologies appropriate to a variety of workplace settings, look at technology planning and the costs associated with a 3-5 year technology plan. Finally, the course will address some practical issues such as copyright, fair use, security and the ethics of technology use.

By the end of the course I would like students to be able to:

1. Understand the limitations and the possibilities of current computer technologies.
2. Articulate the major concerns which have been voiced about technology usage.
3. Understand the role of technology in business and school transformation
4. Develop an awareness of how technology can be successfully integrated into an institution's mission.
5. Develop an institutional technology plan.
6. Articulate the process of staff development as it relates to technology implementation.
7. Demonstrate an understanding of hardware and software issues surrounding the implementation of a technology plan.
8. Articulate a 3-5 year plan for funding technology in an institution.
9. Understand the issues surrounding copyright, fair use and the ethical issues of technology and the Internet.
10. Understand the issues of safety and security as they relate to technology usage in educational institutions.
11. Understand and share knowledge of important issues and trends related to specific themes in technology and education and their implications for teaching, learning, and decision making

Why Take Courses On-line?

There are several great reasons for students taking on-line courses.

• Convenience - Students have more flexibility over when and where work is done and can learn technology by using technology. In addition learning is pursued in an independent way. The specific course materials are available at any time and accessible from any location that has the required computer equipment and an Internet connection
• Collaboration - In an on-line class format thought-provoking on-line discussions can be held in both small and large group formats in chat areas.
• Interaction with other professionals - Since students are taking this class from across the United States, Canada and around the world, you will be working with colleagues from many locations. Students have the opportunity to work with educators and others from across the nation who have similar interests. Being able to compare and contrast ideas and technology implementation from different regions of the country enhances student skills and perspective
• Self-Paced - On-line courses offer a student-centered structure. This course is designed to be taken whenever you want to study and at whatever time you want to study, although there is a recommended course schedule and required deadlines for assignments.

Instructional Process

The course will be fully interactive using the WebCT conferencing system and e-mail as the primary means of communication. Individuals in the class will participate in accessing web sites, reading and discussing journal articles which will cover current research and technology theories. In addition, there will be one major collaborative group project which will bring together diverse students and ideas.

As stated, most communication will be through asynchronous (from Greek meaning "not at the same time" and pronounced "ay-SIN-kro-nus") e-mail. As well there will be a time when I will post on-line office hours (probably a minimum of 2 hours per week) when you can interact live with me through e-mail. Please feel free to e-mail me anytime night or day at jimjeff@andrews.edu

Work-load

This is the major question that everyone who has never taken an on-line course asks. Independent on-line study requires the ability to discipline oneself to cover the required materials. You will be asked to think for yourself and to work collaboratively with other students. Your ideas and views may be criticized publicly by others in the e-mail forums. You will be asked to do a lot of work on your own, but in particular you will be asked to find out information from the World Wide Web for yourself, to analyze that information and to make decisions based on your analysis.

How Much Technology Do I Need to Know?

Some may find the use of technology in this course a bit challenging. You will need to be relatively comfortable using e-mail and the Internet BEFORE starting this course. Sending electronic documents as e-mail attachments is important for getting your assignments to me and for working collaboratively in the assignment in module 3.

In Summary

I hope that the you will not be put off from taking this course after having read some of the assignments and expectations. You will have a lot of help available. We will provide guidance on where to go for information, how to analyze it, and how to use it. You will have help from the interactive experiences with other students, who will be grappling with the same issues as you and who will be asked to share their experiences with you.

Please enjoy this class because we are all learners, your instructor included. Teaching and learning through technology is new and exciting. I trust that you will find this class personally stimulating and challenging.

Dr. Jim Jeffery