Syllabus

EDTECH 586: Technical Writing for Educational Technologists

INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Janet E. Worthington

PHONE: 208-853-2599

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Technical Writing for Educational Technologists will guide students in analyzing and improving their writing styles for printed texts, as well as adjusting their styles to online writing standards.  The course will examine various types of online documentation and explore the unique writing qualities required for success online.  The steps in preparing online and print documents will be a primary focus in the course, including:

• determining users' needs
• planning and organizing information
• creating links
• writing effective documents
• using graphics
• evaluating, editing, and revising completed projects.

The grant proposal format will be the basis for the printed text, so key elements of successful grant writing will also be explored during the course.  Students will design a technology project appropriate for their current or future careers and then develop a grant proposal and a website to explain the project and request support and funding for it.
Conceptual Framework of the Educational Technology Program:
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.
The Professional Educator
Boise State University strives to develop knowledgeable educators who integrate complex roles and dispositions in the service of diverse communities of learners. Believing that all children, adolescents, and adults can learn, educators dedicate themselves to supporting that learning. Using effective approaches that promote high levels of student achievement, educators create environments that prepare learners to be citizens who contribute to a complex world. Educators serve learners as reflective practitioners, scholars and artists, problem solvers, and partners.
This course contributes to the College of Education Conceptual Framework by emphasizing the following dispositions:

• developing support for learning through designing technology projects and supporting their implementation through grant proposals and websites;
• enhancing educators’ knowledge of preparing effective written communication and online documents
• working collaboratively and valuing planning as a collegial activity;
• using modern technologies appropriately;
• continuing professional development, staying current with professional best practices;
• contributing to the continuous improvement of schools.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:
1. Students will demonstrate an appreciation for and ability to recognize and produce good writing and design, recognizing technical writing as a craft and viewing themselves as professionals who take pride in their craft. (2.1, 2.2)
2. Each student will develop a fundable media-related project and secure needed data and background information for the project, and then design a proposal and website to help fund the project.  This work would include identifying appropriate technologies for learning situations, establishing mission, goals and objectives for the project, preparing and justifying a budget to support the project, using a planning process to develop and implement the project, and developing formative and summative evaluation strategies.  (3.1.1, 4.0.2, 4.2.3, 4.4.2, 5.3.1)
2. The student will demonstrate the skills and knowledge required to prepare printed and online documents, including the key steps in the process: identifying audience needs, planning, developing, organizing, drafting, revising, and graphically enhancing online documentation (2.1, 2.2)

3. The student will be able to apply the skills of revision, editing, proofreading, and verifying information to the process of developing printed and online documents. (2.1, 2.2)
4. The student will recognize and apply the principles that differentiate writing for documentation from writing for print, including accessing and linking. (2.3)
5. The student will be able to select the most effective system and approach for a website designed to explain his/her project.  This site will be based on user needs and software capabilities. (2.2)
6. The student will recognize and apply the principles of global communication, including nonsexist language, unbiased language, and a multicultural perspective.  In all work submitted, the student will adhere to copyright and fair use guidelines. (3.4.2, 3.4.3)
(Numbers in parentheses refer to standards for accreditation.)
TEXTS:
All texts are available on the web, including
APA Style Tips, www.apastyle.org/styletips.html
Lynch, P. & Horton, S. (2002). Web style guide: Basic design principles for creating web sites (2nd Ed.) available on the web at www.webstyleguide.com
Moursund, D.G. (2002) Obtaining resources for technology in education, available on the web at http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~moursund/Books/GrantWriting/index.htm.

SOFTWARE:
MS Word, Microsoft FrontPage or Dreamweaver

GRADING:
Points:
Weekly assignments:           20 points x 15 =       300
Discussion                         10 points x 15 =       150
Final project   (See Tasks)                                150
                                      Total                      600
LATE ASSIGNMENTS:
For each day an assignment is late, 10% of an assignment’s value will be deducted from the grade, up to 50%.  Below 50%, the assignment will receive a grade of 0.  If extenuating circumstances are responsible for students’ late assignments, they should check with the instructor as soon as possible.

Grading Scale:
600-540        A                          
539-480        B
479-420        C

NOTE:  The instructor reserves the right to make changes in this syllabus.