Joanne McDonald, M.

Ed 1
Bridgewater State College

IT 560 Foundations for Teaching Math in Today’s Classroom

[40% online, 60% face to face]
3 Graduate Credits
Online: 15 hours
Face to Face: 22.5 hours
Location: Brockton’s Crosby Computer Training
Dates and Times: Weds, Jan 20, 27 Feb. 24 Mar. 10. 31 from 4:00-7:00 & 7-8 of tech support;
Sat. Feb. 6 from 9:00-5:00, as well as 15 hours of online instruction
Class site: MassONE Moodle
Instructor: Joanne McDonald
Email: j1mcdonald@bridgew.edu
Office- Off Campus, email or phone for apts.
Phone: 508 942 4013

Course Description: Web 2.0 tools, and digital literacy for the teaching and learning of math is
the focus of this course. Blogs, online spreadsheets and polls, podcasts, social networking as well
as interactive technology are tools student use during face-to-face and online classes. Assigned
projects integrate 21st Century learning skills such as: global awareness, communication skills,
creativity and innovation skills, and collaboration skills. Ethical and legal issues such as
copyright and Internet safety, as well as Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) while researching the
Internet are embedded into discussions and course work.
Philosophy of Teaching and Learning: This course will encourage teachers to reflect on their
changing roles not only in the classroom, but also as leaders in their schools and districts. To
increase active learning, an educator's role becomes that of a facilitator or coach rather than a
center stage expert. As co-learners in the Information Age, educators can be powerful models of
lifelong learning for students and can share the excitement of discovering new knowledge and
expressing new ideas. The value of technology does not reside in the tools themselves, but in the
overall improvements made to instructional quality by rethinking and redesigning curriculum for
active learning with the use of strong information and communication skills. Math content,
process, and tools will be woven together, with the understanding that all learners are individuals
and each one has special needs and strengths. Activities will be designed to capitalize on
individual strengths and will include frequent feedback from instructor and peers.

Expected Outcomes:
1. Use and apply the following: online calculation tools such as Google and Zoho
spreadsheets; online communication tools such as Voicethread, and Buzzword online
collaboration tools such as blogs, podcasts/vodcasts, and RSS feeds; an online learning
environment such as Moodle; and Web 2.0 Literacy skills as they relate to the teaching
and learning of mathematics.
2. Read a URL, identify authors or publishers as well as related links of websites.
3. Apply effective online search practices.
4. Explain copyright and creative commons license.
5. Identify the MA State initiatives with the Partnership for 21st Century.
6. Identify and use national, state, and local guidelines and standards to develop curriculum
plans for integrating technology in the Mathematics K-12 learning environment.
7. Understand and apply Acceptable Use Guidelines for a school district.
Joanne McDonald, M.Ed 2
Bridgewater State College

Required Texts:

Solomon, Gwen & Schrum, Lynn. (2007). Web 2.0: New Tools, New Schools. Washington D.
D.: International Society for Technology in Education.

Suggested Texts:
Williams, Bard. (2007). Educator’s Podcast Guide. Washington D.C.: International Society for
Technology in Education.

Online Reading Materials:

• Recommended PreK-12 Instructional Technology Standards
(http://www.doe.mass.edu/edtech/standards/itstand.pdf)
• International Society for Technology in Education Educational Computing and
Technology Programs http://cnets.iste.org/ncate/n_lead-stands.html
• Partnership for 21st Century Skills http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/index.php

In addition, each student in the Instructional Technology program is expected to have

• The 5th edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association.

Special accommodations: Any student who, due to a disability, needs special accommodations
to participate in class and/or complete assignments should see the professor as soon as
possible so that reasonable accommodations can be made.

One of the goals of constructivist learning is for learners to implement solutions they have
developed to authentic problems. Students are strongly urged to discuss with the instructor any
adjustments in assigned projects that will enable the student to use the project to solve a critical
"real life" problem.
Joanne McDonald, M.Ed 3
Bridgewater State College

Course requirements and evaluation:

1. Course Reading and Discussion: Students are expected to keep up with assigned
course readings and Web resources. In conjunction with course reading, discussion topics and
chats will be posted on the class Moodle site. Students are expected to contribute their thoughts
on each topic by the posted due date. (Discussion flows best if students do not all leave this
until the night before the due date.) Students may reply directly to the instructor’s question
and/or to other participants’ comments on the topic. The discussion questions are designed to
prompt your thinking on the topic; most questions have no “right” answer. Your participation in
these online discussions replaces face-to-face class meetings and should be taken just as
seriously as traditional class attendance and participation. (30%) [Goal 1, 4, 5, & 7]

2. Vodcast/Podcast: Design a learning opportunity for your instructional level that

incorporates collaboration and includes a Podcast, or Vodcast. Students are encouraged to
collaborate with peers to complete projects. Post all lesson plans to MassONE using lesson
template. Post all products to your MassONE and to the class Moodle. (15%) [Goal 1, & 6]

3. Online Learning Environment: Create an online environment where students, or

parents get information on Math content. Students should be able to leave, share, create,
discuss, and apply new understandings on this class site. Students are encouraged to
collaborate with peers to complete projects Post all lesson plans to MassONE using
lesson template. Post all products to your MassONE and to the class Moodle (15%)
[Goal 1, 6, & 7]

4. Web 2.0: Design an online learning opportunity where K-12 students can develop
content knowledge. This lesson should provide a framework for these students to learn,
think critically, and communicate understandings. Students are encouraged to collaborate
with peers to complete projects. Post all lesson plans to MassONE using lesson template.
Post all products to your MassONE and to the class Moodle (15%) [Goal 1, 6 & 7]

5. Final Project: Create a professional development workshop on one of the topics

covered in class to be presented at your school. A plan of your workshop must be
submitted and approved before developing the actual workshop. This project should
include: research to support topic in the teaching and learning environment; state and
national standards; adequate directions; tutorials; and hands-on activities for participants.
Students are encouraged to collaborate with peers to complete projects. Post workshop
plans to class Moodle. Post outline and end product to your MassONE account and to the
class Moodle. (25%) [Goal 1, 4, 5, 6, & 7]
Joanne McDonald, M.Ed 4
Bridgewater State College

Course Design and Assignments:

January 20, 2010 from 4:00- 7:00 Brockton’s Crosby Computer Training Center
7-8 one hour of support
(Communication) [Goal 5 & 6]
• Course requirements & Assignments
• ISTE, Partnership for 21st skills, & MA Technology Standards [Goal 5, & 6]
• ‘Basic Tool Box’-Word Processing, PowerPoint, Database & Spreadsheet
• Overview of Web 2.0 [Goal 1]
• New Web 2.0 tools [Goal 1]
• Personal Learning Networks (PLNs) [Goal 1]
• Assign Reading Web 2.0, Chapter 1: New World, New Web, New Skills [Goal 1 & 5]

Two hours online: Vodcast/Podcast webinar [Goal 1]

Discussion Forum- A Vision of Students Today [Goal 1]

January 27, 2010 from 4:00- 7:00 Brockton’s Crosby Computer Training Center
7-8 one hour of support
(Collaboration)) [Goal 5 & 6]
• Desktop Recoding Software [Goal 1]
• How to make a podcast [Goal 1]
• RSS feeds [Goal 1, 5, 6 & 7]
• PLNs who fits where? [Goal 1 & 5]
• Podcast/Vodcast due February 6th [Goal 1 & 5]
• Assign Reading Web 2.0, Chapter 2: Students and Learning

Three hours online: Google Tools Webinar

Discussion Forum- Students and Learning

Saturday, February 6, 2010, 9:00-5:00 at Brockton’s Crosby Computer Training Center

(Digital Literacy) [Goal 5 & 6]
• Universal Design for Learning (UDL) [Goal 1, 6]
• Digital Toolkit for Teachers [Goal 1]
• Virtual Learning Environment [Goal 1 & 7]
• Wiggio, wikispace, Weebly MassONe [Goal 1 & 7]
• Google Earth webinar, Google Trips [Goal 1 & 7]
• Discovery Education [Goal 1, & 7]
• Reading URLs & Research [Goal 2 & 7]
• Assign Online Learning Environment Project due February 24th [Goal 1 & 7]
• Assign Reading Web 2.0, Chapter 8: Systemic issues

Three hours online: Global Communication, webinar [Goal 5 & 6]

Joanne McDonald, M.Ed 5
Bridgewater State College

Post to PLNs Forum & Glossary

Discussion Forum- Systemic Issues

February 24, 2010, 4:00-7:00 at Brockton’s Crosby Computer Training Center

7-8 one hour of support
(Global Awareness) [Goal 5 & 6]
• Introduce eBlogger, ePals, Voicethread [Goal 1, 5, 6 & 7]
• Jigsaw- Web 2.0, Chapter 3: New Tools [Goal 1]
• Assign Reading Web 2.0, Chapter 7: Online Safety and Security (response to reading)
• Assign Web 2.0 Project due March 10th [Goal 1 & 6]
• Assign Final Project [Goal 1, 4, 5, 6, & 7]

March 10, 2010 4:00-7:00 at Brockton’s Crosby Computer Training Center

7-8 one hour of support
(Information and Communication Literacy) [Goal 5 & 6]
• Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) [Goal 2, 3, 4 & 7]
• Logo-Bee, Pro-Bot, and Roamer
• Share online Virtual Learning Environments [Goal 1, 4 & 7]
• Assign Reading Web 2.0, Chapter 4: New Tools in Schools [Goal 1, 4]

Five hours online: Copyright webinar [Goal 4]

Discussion Forum- Safety and Security [Goal 7]
Chat Room (agreed upon mutual time)

March 31, 2010, 4:00-7:00 at Brockton’s Crosby Computer Training Center

7-8 one hour of support
(Independent Thinkers, creativity) [Goal 5 & 6]
• Review
• Claymation
• Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) [Goal 7]
• Social Networking [Goal 1, 4, & 7]
• Cell phones in school [Goal 1 &, 7]
• Online Learning Environments [Goal 1, & 7]
• Post test
• Assign Reading Web 2.0, Chapter 5: Professional Development [Goal 1, 2, 5, 6 & 7]

• Two hours online: Discussion Forum- Professional Development [Goal 1, 2, 5, 6 & 7]

Use PLNs for final project
Joanne McDonald, M.Ed 6
Bridgewater State College

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Joanne McDonald, M.Ed 7
Bridgewater State College

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