Boise State University
Spring 2008
Dr. Jeremy Tutty

Click for PDF

EDTECH Mission

The Department of Educational Technology supports the study and practice of facilitating and improving learning of a diverse population by creating, using, and managing appropriate technological processes and resources.   Believing technology is a tool that enhances and expands the educational environment, we promote the use of current and emergent technologies for teaching and learning in a dynamic global society. Educational technologists are leaders and innovators, serving in institutions of higher education, public or private school settings, federal, state or local educational agencies, community organizations, and the private sector.

Course Description
The goals of this course are for students to 1) learn generic categories of educational technology research designs and 2) learn important concepts and practices in the field of evaluation.

Why the emphasis on evaluation research?  Program evaluation is the single area of research application that most links researchers to practitioners.  Program evaluation investigates the effectiveness or impact of interventions and social programs.  One engages in program evaluation research to learn which aspects of a program are working and which are not.  Much of the research we do as educational technologists is evaluation research.

Course Texts & Software
Order through BSU bookstore or online vendor, such as Amazon.com.

Books

Required Text (~ $37.95):
Title:                Quantitative Research Methods for Professionals
Author(s):        W. Paul Vogt
Publisher:        Allyn & Bacon
Copyright:        2007
ISBN:              0-205-35913-2

Required Text (~ $26.95):
Title:                Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 5thed
Author(s):        American Psychological Association
Publisher:        American Psychological Association
Copyright:        2001
ISBN:              1-557-98791-2

Student Course Site

You will develop and display course work on your EDTECH student web site.  You will also need a way to "FTP" your assignments to your web site.

Major Assignments

Annotated Bibliography

This requirement involves reviewing a minimum of ten published, PEER-REVIEWED RESEARCH studies of your choice, interpreting the findings, and compiling a summary of them.  

Exam

There will be an examination over several evaluation topics near the end of the semester.  The examination date and its content will be announced at least two weeks in advance.

Evaluation Proposal

You will respond to a Request for Proposal (RFP) with a short (4-6 pages) evaluation proposal.

Project

The major course project will involve writing a short report of an evaluation project.  You may do this either with a project for which I give you the description and data or with a project of your own.

Standards Addressed
AECT STANDARDS FOR THE ACCREDITATION OF INITIAL PREPARATION PROGRAMS

Standard 2: DEVELOPMENT
Candidates demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to develop instructional materials and experiences using print, audiovisual, computer-based, and integrated technologies.

Standard 3: UTILIZATION
Candidates demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to use processes and resources for learning by applying principles and theories of media utilization, diffusion, implementation, and policy-making.
3.4 Policies and Regulations

Standard 4: MANAGEMENT
Candidates demonstrate knowledge, skills, and dispositions to plan, organize, coordinate, and supervise instructional technology by applying principles of project, resource, delivery system, and information management.
4.1 Project Management
4.2 Resource Management

Standard 5: EVALUATION
Candidates demonstrate knowledge, skills, and dispositions to evaluate the adequacy of instruction and learning by applying principles of problem analysis, criterion-referenced measurement, formative and summative evaluation, and long-range planning.
5.1 Problem Analysis
5.2 Criterion-Referenced Measurement
5.3 Formative and Summative Evaluation
5.4 Long-Range Planning

Grades
Assignments are typically due by 11:59 PM Mountain Time on Wednesdays.

Scale: 
90 - 99% A
80 - 89% B
70 - 79% C
< 70% F

The annotated bibliography, exam and evaluation proposal will account for approximately half of your course grade.  The evaluation project report will account for the other half.

Course Expectations

Course work in EDTECH 576 is divided into 15 weeks of the semester. The types of assignments and the level of interactivity vary from week-to-week.

Communication with the instructor and/or students in the class can be readily accomplished through the email and group functions. I usually return email and phone calls within 24 hours weekdays, and I’m happy to schedule a time with you to discuss your questions and work. A CyberCafe is provided in the Discussion Board. This provides an opportunity for you to visit with other class members about any topic of interest. I encourage you to use this area to visit with other class members.

There is also a FAQ area on the Discussion Board and I will post questions for students that I think may help the whole class. Please don’t hesitate to ask questions – online environments vary greatly, as well as students' experiences with them.

Class Assignments

Instructions for where and when to submit assignments will be given in each Weekly Agenda in the Course Documents Folder. All assignments are due on a weekly basis by 11:59 PM Mountain Time each Wednesday unless indicated otherwise. Late assignments will result in grade reductions (up to 10% for every day they are late). Work that is more than one week late will not be accepted. Plan to spend between 8 - 15 hours per week on this class. The amount of time actually needed will depend on entry level skills and knowledge.

Assignment and project information will be updated regularly throughout the semester. Please check your email at least once per week for course related correspondence. Note that the default email address in Blackboard is your BSU email address.

Accommodations

To request academic accommodations for a disability, contact the Office of Disability Services, Admin 114, (208) 426-1583.  Students are required to provide documentation of their disability and meet with a Disability Specialist prior to receiving accommodations.  Information about a disability or health condition will be regarded as confidential.