Computer Problem Solving Instructional Framework

Computer Problem Solving is divided into ten instructional modules.  The modules are designed to be completed in the sequence provided in the Instructional Framework as a guide to the development of a website that relies on a)  increasingly advanced computer skills and b) a deepening conceptual knowledge of the impact of the integration of technology into the teaching and learning processes.   Each module consists of module objectives, resources, and a checklist. 

  • The module objectives are statements that define the specific skills/understanding that students are expected to achieve while completing the module. 

  • The resources are the instructional tools that students will use to achieve the objectives. 

  • The checklist allows students to keep track of progress on assignments that will be used to calculate the course grade.

Please note that Module 5, the Technology Forum, is divided into parts A, B, and C and sequenced according to the relevance of the Forum topic in relationship to other modules.  Module 6, the module containing the two skills checks, is also divided into two parts and sequenced according to relevant skill development.

Instructional Framework

Module / Points

Module Objectives

Resources

Checklist

 Tentative Due Dates
         
Module One

Introduction and Basic Navigation

6 points

 
  • Students will be able to successfully access and read basic course information: syllabus, course objectives, course evaluation and sample grade sheet, instructional framework, ASK, lab assistance, on-campus resources; online resources; required software and hardware; etc.  
  • Students will be able to successfully answer questions and submit the Course Website Quiz.
  • Students will be able to submit an Introductory Email Message to the course instructor.  Click here for more information.
  • Students will be able to create a folder named "yourlastname" in which to collect all course work.  (At UD, place this folder in the Fall2008_Edu3305 folder located on Mediacenter06.) (At home, put the folder in My Documents or on the Desktop -- someplace where it is easy to access/find.)
  • Students will be able to write and save E-Diary entry #1.  For directions, click here.
  • Students will be able to log onto the UD Network
  • Students will be able to create a folder in the appropriate class folder at Mediacenter06
Submitted Website Quiz -- on Blackboard
Submitted Introductory email message
E-Diary entry #1 saved to "yourlastname" folder
Logged onto the UD Network)
Created folder at Mediacenter06)
Sept. 10
         
Module Two

Searching the Internet

10 points 
Took Internet Search Pre-Test
Notes from Using the Internet Effectively saved to "yourlastnamefolder"
Scavenger Hunt Favorites saved to "yourlastnamefolder"
 Internet Scavenger Hunt  with answers saved to "yourlastnamefolder"
Internet Scavenger Hunt submitted  (on Blackboard)
E-Diary entry #2 saved to "yourlastnamefolder"
 Sept. 17
         
Module Three

Building A Web / Initial Project Goals

20 points
  • Students will be able to use Microsoft FrontPage to create a web that contains specified folders, webpages, graphics, sound, and video.  Click on Web Assignment instructions.
  • Students will be able to import all course work from "yourlastnamefolder" into FrontPage web  ("yourlastname_webfolio")
  • Students will be able to develop 3-5 goals around which to design a website. Click here for instructions
  • Students will be able to create a webpage named "goals" that offers a table into which website goals have been inserted. (see examples by clicking here).
  • Students will be able to write and save E-Diary Entry #3
index page with your name and self-selected image from Internet
"Assignment" folder into which  the following components have been saved
  1. Notes from Using the Internet Effectively
  2. Scavenger Hunt Favorites
  3. Scavenger Hunt with answers
  4. Mixed_Media web page with graphic (B.Khirallah), sound clip (God_Bless_America), and video clip (Taco_Bell_dog)
  5. E-Diary entries 1-3 (can be a single document to which you add entries or a series of documents collected in an "ediary_folder"
"videos" folder  -- created by you -- in which you have saved
  1. Taco Bell dog video file
"sounds" folder -- created by you -- in which you have saved
  1. Sound file of Kate Smith singing "God Bless America"
"images" folder -- automatically created by FrontPage into which you have saved
  1. self-selected image from the Internet (that appears on index page)
  2. picture (jpg) of Barbara Khirallah
"final_exam" folder -- created by you -- in which you have saved
  1. Course_Objectives [Be sure that this document is in html (FrontPage) and offers a structure for adding evidence of achievement].
"Goals" webpage with 3-5 website goals written in Table format and saved to webfolio
E-Diary entry #3 saved to appropriate place in the "assignments" folder of webfolio
 Oct. 1
         
Module Four

Excel Project

31 points

 
  • Students will be able to read and follow instructions for the Excel Project.
  • Based on thoughtful reflection of 2 online tutorials and several sample rubrics, students will be able to select meaningful criteria by which to evaluate websites.
  • Using FrontPage, students will be able to create a separate folder ("Excel_Project") in the "yourlastname_webfolio"
  • Using FrontPage, students will be able to construct a rubric (in table format that uses numbers) that will be useful in identifying "good" websites for meeting web project goals as defined in Module 3.
 Part I: Evaluating Websites
Created "Excel_Project" folder in "yourlastname_webfolio"
Rubric for identifying/evaluating websites for webfolio saved in "Excel_Project" folder
 Oct. 15
  • Using the rubric developed in Part I, students will be able to find, collect, and export as a set of "Internet Explorer Favorites" at least 5 "good" websites that will inform/support the website project.  If you have forgotten how to do this -- refer to the INSTRUCTIONS ON CREATING AND EXPORTING FAVORITES from Module 2.
  • Students will be able to evaluate each selected site and assign points based on the rubric
  • Students will be able to write a brief narrative review for each site to correspond to value points awarded using rubric.
 Part II:  Selecting and Reviewing Selected Websites

 
List of 5 "good" websites - saved as a set of exported favorites to "Excel_Project" folder
Points assigned to each website based on rubric
Brief narrative review paragraph and assigned point values -- for each selected site -- saved in the "Excel Project" folder  as a single FrontPage document

 
  • Using Microsoft Excel, students will be able to build, format, and insert at least 2 formulae (to calculate both sums and averages for value points assigned websites reviewed) in an Excel worksheet that meets project criteria as defined by the Excel Project Criteria and Excel Project Rubric and demonstrated in sample Excel projects.
  • Students will be able to write and save E-Diary Entry #4
 Part III:  Formatting the Spreadsheet and Adding Values & Formulae
Microsoft Excel spreadsheet with format, links, and formulae meeting criteria defined by the Excel Project Criteria, Excel Project Rubric, and sample Excel projects saved to the "Excel Project" folder
E-Diary entry #4 saved to "assignments" folder of webfolio
         
Module Five
 Technology Forum

18 points
  • Students will be able to read, reflect, and respond to two articles in each of three topical areas: 1) Integrating Technology into Teaching and Learning, 2) Legal, Ethical, and Diversity Issues, and 3) Adaptive Technology Plus Health and Safety Issues.  Note:  Students must read the one REQUIRED reading and then select one other from each category listed.
  • Students will be able to post responses to the articles read in the Technology Forum.
  • Students will be able to save copies of responses to webfolios.
  • Students will be able to contribute comments on the posted reading responses of other students in the Technology Forum. 
Readings in Technology  
Six one-paragraph responses saved in webfolio and posted to the Technology Forum.  
Made Comments on other students' posted reading responses in Technology Forum
Oct. 20
         
 
Module Six
Part I

Skills Check I

12 points
  • Students will be able to check the skills developed so far by successfully completing Skills Check I
  • Students will be able to write and save E-Diary Entry #5
Skills Check I saved/ imported to webfolio
E-Diary entry #5 saved to "assignments" folder of webfolio
Oct. 20
         
Mid-Course Checklist

2 points

 
Mid-Course Webfolio Materials submitted for feedback - webfolio index (default) page includes a link to a Mid-Course Table of Contents
Mid-Course Table of Contents
Name appears online on Webfolio Presentation Schedule
Oct. 22
         
Module Seven

PowerPoint Project

25 points

 
  • Students will be able to read and follow instructions for the PowerPoint_Project.
  • Using Inspiration software, students will be able to create a concept map (storyboard)  that serves as a guide/plan for developing a PowerPoint presentation.  See Inspiration Tutorial for help.
  • Students will be able to export the concept map created with Inspiration as a picture (jpg file) to be saved in a "PowerPoint_Project" folder in the webfolio so that it can be inserted into the PowerPoint Presentation. 
Part I: Planning a Presentation
Created "PowerPoint_Project" folder in "yourlastname_webfolio"
jpg file of Inspiration Concept Map saved in "PowerPoint_Project" folder
Nov. 12
  • Students will be able to read and follow instructions for the PowerPoint_Project.
  • Students will be able to develop a detailed narrative script for use with their PowerPoint presentation.  Students will be expected to develop the script in two forms: one, as a MS Word document and two, as notes inserted into the notes section of PowerPoint.  
 Part II: Research / Script
Power Point Script saved to "PowerPoint_Project" folder
  • Students will be able to read and follow instructions in order to construct a PowerPoint Presentation that meets both basic and advanced project criteria as defined by the PowerPoint Criteria and PowerPoint Project Rubric and demonstrated in sample PowerPoint projects.
  • Students will be able to write and save Write E-Diary Entry #6
 Part III:  Basic and Advanced PowerPoint Components
PowerPoint Presentation meeting all PowerPoint Criteria saved to PowerPoint_Project folder
E-Diary entry #6 saved to "assignments" folder of webfolio
       
Module Six
Part 2
 

Skills Check II

12 points
  • Students will be able to check the skills developed so far by successfully completing Skills Check II
  • Students will be able to write and save Write E-Diary Entry #7
Skills Check II saved/ imported to webfolio
E-Diary entry #7 saved to "assignments" folder of webfolio
Dec. 1
         
Module Eight

Mndtools/ Interactive Project

24 points
  • Students will be able to read article and notes about mindtools and then follow instructions to meet the criteria for Part I of the  Database/Interactive Project.
  • Students will be able to utilize database software as a mindtool to construct a database of websites contained in the student Excel projects.
 Part I: Evaluating software as a Mindtool
Created "Website_Database" folder in "yourlastname_webfolio"
TBA
TBA
Nov. 30

  • Students will be able to meet the criteria for Part II of Module 8

  • Students will be able to use Internet search skills (or the Tool Chart) to find computer-based social environments

  • Students will be able to use the Evaluation_Summaries spreadsheet to evaluate/review reviews of selected social computer-based learning environments

 Part II: Evaluating Social Environments --
  • Criteria TBA
 ELEMENTS IN RED ARE NOT REQUIRED FALL 2008

 

 

 

 

Evaluation_Summaries completed and saved to "Interactive_Project" folder in webfolio -- Link Coming Soon

  • Students will be able to meet the criteria for Part III of the  Mindtools/Interactive Project.

  • Students will be able to select an appropriate tool for constructing an interactive computer-based mindtool

  • Students will be able to use a new software application to construct an interactive computer-based learning environment that is conceptually related to your website goals

  • Students will be able to effectively evaluate their own interactive computer-based learning environment

  • Students will be able to write and save E-Diary entry #8

 Part III: Tool Selection, Construction, and Review
Interactive Tool selected and used to construct an interactive learning environment.  It (or a link to it) is saved in the "Interactive_Project" folder in webfolio
E-Diary entry #8 saved to "assignments" folder of webfolio
         
Module Nine

Final Exam

18 points
  • Students will be able to complete the final exam by providing evidence that they have achieved the Table of Course Objectives
  • Students will be able to write and save a Statement of Personal Growth
Course_Objectives completed with links and explanations saved in "final_exam" folder of webfolio
Statement of Personal Growth saved to webfolio
Evidence of Project Goals explained and linked on Goals page
Dec. 8
         
Module Ten

Webfolio

22 points
  • Students will be able to organize all materials from the course, including all major elements listed in the webfolio checklist. 
  • Students will be able to personalize an index (default) page for the web with an organizational structure that offers a link to a Table of Contents page and serves as an appropriate portal for website's intended purpose and goals. 
  • Students will be able to physically link (hyperlink) project goals to evidence of goal achievement.
  • Students will be able to present completed webfolio to the course instructor on date and time scheduled.
Completed webfolio that is a coherent web designed to achieve project goals for a target audience and includes all elements listed in Comprehensive Webfolio Checklist
Personalized homepage (index / default) page appropriate to website goals with link to a webfolio Table of Contents
Webfolio Table of Contents
Face-to-face presentation of completed webfolio
TBA
         
Publish Webfolio
  • Students will be able to publish completed portfolios online (Optional)
Webfolio published online as website for intended audience (optional)
Per Request