Journal

Educational Technology students are asked to write in a journal for the first ten weeks of the course.  Journal entries will help organize thinking about the information contained in each Roblyer text chapter to be studied.  In addition the journal will provide practice in building web pages since the final document will be saved in HTML code.  Click here to see a detailed assignment sheet.  Specific instruction will be provided in the first week of the course.

The computers students use in this course have USB "Flash" connections. It is a good idea to organize the journal on a storage device that  works with that technology so large files can be accommodated.  A "jump drive" has at least 128 times the space of an ordinary floppy disk.  More on this during week one.

Here are some suggested questions that may be used to prompt journal responses. Each response must speak to the information presented in that chapter.  There are other activities and questions at the end of each chapter listed under "Portfolio Activities" and under "Questions for thought and Discussion".  Students may respond to any one of those questions as well.  If unsure, check with the instructor before beginning to write.  

All journal entries must be at least 150 words in length...

• Chapter One - Using the Rubric (Figure A-6, page 343) in the Appendix of the text, assess your status relative to presonal/professional productivity skills. After selecting a proficiency level in each productivity category (Classroom management, word proccessing, graphics skills, spreadsheet skills, database skills and presentation skills), explain how that level was attained. To summarize this journal entry, write a paragraph about how this course may assist in raising those proficiency levels. 
• Chapter two - You have decided to have students use the Internet (search engines) and a CD-ROM based encyclopedia to gather information on an assigned topic.  What is the RELATIVE ADVANTAGE of using these resources versus those usually made available?
• Chapter Three - When given a choice, will you favor Direct or Constructivist teaching methods and strategies? Given your selection, which technology integration strategies will you employ?
• Chapter Four - See question # two under "Questions for Thought and Discussion" on page 112.
• Chapter Five - Respond to question # two under "Questions for Thought and Discussion" on page 141.
• Chapter Six - Select one of the six types of software support tools (listed on page 144) that you feel has a definite role to play in your teaching.  Describe how you plan to use that tool to support instruction in your classroom.
• Chapter Seven - Reread the list of "Integration Strategies for Hypermedia Authoring"  beginning on page 179. Select a strategy that you think can work for you and tell why.  Double-check your thinking by also rereading the "Procedures for Implementing Hypermedia Authoring" on page 180.  Let the response reflect your understanding of those procedures as well.
• Chapter Eight - The Internet presents a number of unique ways students can communicate both visually and in writing.  Examples of these technologies are listed on pages 199 and 200.  Select two of these technologies you would use and tell why.
• Chapter Nine - See "Portfolio Activity" # One on page 229.
• Chapters Ten.....15 - Select one chapter only (your major or minor).  Respond to any of the Portfolio or Thought and Discussion questions listed at the end of that chapter.  Chapter ten covers Language Arts, Eleven:Science/Math, Twelve:Social Studies, Thirteen:Art/Music, Fourteen:P.E., Fifteen:Special Education.  Select just one.