IST 5011 Technology Skills & Abilities: Assistive Technology

Spring 2008

SYLLABUS WEBCT COURSE MAP P.McGEE
Course Description Assistive technologies can support learners in a variety of situations for a variety of needs. This course will provide an overview of the concept of AT, the implications of AT for the Individuals with Disabilities Education , NCLB, and Response to Intervention, and AT that support cognitive and physical disabilities.
Course Objectives
At the end of the course, each student will demonstrate the ability to:
1. Describe the major influences on implementing AT in the classroom.
2. Develop a plan for using AT to meet challenges in the classroom.
3. Demonstrate understanding of AT and instructional strategies.
Course questions
 What is assistive technology?
What directs the use of AT?
What types of needs can be supported with AT ?
How can AT support different types of needs?
Date, Time, & Place
 The first class meeting is Monday, January 14 at 5:30 PM in FS 3.412 at the downtown UTSA campus. Some classess will be held online.
Instructor Information
 Contact Patricia McGee at patricia.mcgee@utsa.edu
Office hours will be held from 4:30 to 5:30 in FS 3.412 or online by appointment.
Student email your official email address is now a Googlemail address. this account allows you to use Google Appications which will be required for this class.
Accessing WebCT
 If you are registered for the course, you can go to WebCT and see our learning place once classes have started.
  IMPORTANT: Once you have entered WebCT for the first time, please set up your e-mail to be forwarded to your Internet e-mail account. Once you have done this, all e-mail sent through WebCT will be forwarded to your personal e-mail account and you will not have to check WebCT e-mail. To set up this function, follow these steps:
1 - Log in to your WebCT course.
2 - Enter the e-mail area of the course. This should be linked on the course home page.
3 - Click on "Message Settings" at the top of the e-mail screen.
4 - Check "Forward my mail to: <your email address>
5 - Click on "Update."
Materials Text: Edyburn, D. L. (2003). What every teacher should know about assistive technology. Boston: Pearson.
(1) Computer with Internet access
(2) Plugins for Flash, Real Media Player, etc.
(3) Readings as assigned.
UTSA Policies  
Scholastic Integrity

Students are expected to be above reproach in scholastic activities. Students who violate University rules on scholastic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary penalties, including the possibility of failure in the course and dismissal from the University. "Scholastic dishonesty includes,but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, collusion; the submission for credit any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another person; taking an exam for another person; any act designed to give unfair advantage to a student; or the attempt to commit such acts"(Regent's Rules and Regulations, Part One, Chapter VI, Section 3, subsection 3.2, subdivision 3.22). Since scholastic dishonesty harms  the individual,all students and the integrity of the University, policies on scholastic dishonesty will be strictly enforced. See Student Code of Conduct. 

Be sure to cite sources in the body of the text of your written materials,giving credit to the source of  the ideas you are using.  Avoid paraphrasing.  Cite specific page numbers when using a direct quotation. Make sure all sources are cited appropriately.
Expectations  
Attendance &
Participation
This course is discursive is active, collaborative, and virtual. As such it requires that participants participate actively and regularly online interactions.  Ten points will be assigned for participation. Failure to actively participate willresult in a lower grade. Students will be actively engaged in class activities and thereby not participating online results in missing irreplaceable learning experiences.
Writing Standards
Students must submit all work, either in print or in electronic format, with no typographical or grammatical errors.  Be sure to proofread carefully.  When citing sources of information, in a reference page or within the body of text, use APA style.  Failure to follow APA conventions may result in a lower grade.When citing sources of information, APA style should be used. When submitting work via e-mail, be sure that all word processing documents end in 'doc.' APA Guide to Internet Citations. A Guide for Writing Research Papers has answers to frequently asked questions about APA. APA Style Guide 2000 actually shows you examples of APA style. All work must be word-processed 1 1/2 spacing (if submitted in print) using a 12 font size.  Margins should be one inch.
Activities Course Activities may include but are not exclusive to:
  • a webquest and present information about policy directives regarding AT.
• a scavenger hunt regarding local resources for AT.
• a critique AT research.
• a case study regarding AT.
Assessment You are encouraged to discuss concerns about the course with the instructor at any time. Informal course evaluations will be conducted periodically and may result in revisions of class activities or calendar.  A formal university evaluation will be conducted at the conclusion of the semester. Points will be assigned for each assignment for a total of 100 points - See the Course Map. Using the point scale and the folowing criteria, student evaluation will be determined. 10 points will be awarded for participation.

A. Student completes all tasks and activities with, corrected or corrected, negligible errors; attends class and participates regularly and appropriately in discussions; supports peer learning; completes a final product that meets criteria provided without changes, directly relates to course learning, and is relevant to an educational setting.

B. Student completes all tasks and activities with, corrected or corrected, minimal errors; attends class and participates regularly and appropriately in discussions; supports peer learning; completes a final product that meets criteria provided with minor changes, directly relates to course learning, and is relevant to an educational setting.

C. Student completes all tasks and activities with, corrected or corrected, errors that detract from quality; misses some classes but participates in discussions; completes a final product that meets criteria provided but requires significant changes, directly relates to course learning,and is relevant to an educational setting.

D. Student does not complete all tasks and activities; submits assignments; uncorrected or corrected, which contain errors which detract from quality; misses some classes and/or does not participate regularly in discussions; completes a final product that does not meet criteria provided and/or does not directly relate to course learning, and, is not, without substantial changes, relevant to an educational setting.

F. Student does not complete all tasks and activities; submits assignments, uncorrected or corrected, which contain substantial errors;misses some classes and/or does not participate regularly or appropriately in discussions; does not completes a final product that reflects criteria or which is relevant to an educational setting.
 
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Questions?    E-mail the course instructor!