This course serves to increase the individual awareness and competencies of teachers and educational leaders as it relates to the seamless integration of technology. The essential characteristics of the 21st century learner and learning environment provide the rationale of the need for effective technology integration strategies. Students are provided the opportunity to use state of the art educational technologies, such as online 3D MUVE (multi-user virtual environments) or simulations, and Web-based e-learning technology applications within their professional practice. Specific functionalities of these innovative technologies will be utilized within an authentic and practical instructional context.
This course examines the nature and development of curriculum, assessment procedures and strategies within a contemporary context. Models for curriculum design will include critical thinking, cooperative learning, constructivist instructional strategies, and brain-based concepts. Performance based tasks and assessments will be an additional focus. Issues relating to 21st century learning environments that include relevance and rigor within the context of authentic intellectual work will be addressed. Students will develop a personal view of how to develop curriculum in the twenty-first century using appropriate research methods.
This course is designed to introduce the concepts of student assessment and evaluation, and their importance in the field of education. The course provides a theoretical and practical foundation for teachers with emphasis on the relationship among assessment, teaching, and learning, and the implications for standards-based classroom instruction. Students will become knowledgeable as to current trends in assessment, types of assessments and their characteristics and uses, the testing program in New Jersey, analyzing and using assessment data, developing performance objectives outcomes and assessment plans to evaluate lessons and student learning, and developing a classroom-based assessment program and grading/record-keeping system. The course takes an in-depth look at authentic assessment in the context of learning theory, effective educational practices, and the constructivist classroom. In addition, students will be able to better understand and apply their knowledge of ISTE, NCTM, NCTE, Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and other important standards of learning.