Fall - 2000
Revised on 10/01/00 by Karen Murphy
Welcome to this advanced applications course in telecommunications offered by the Educational Technology Program
in the Department of Educational Psychology at Texas A&M University. Dr. Karen L. Murphy is the instructor, and Sue Mahoney is the teaching
assistant. Email Dr. Murphy at kmurphy@tamu.edu if you haven't yet informed
her that you are enrolled in the class.
Instructor 1:
Karen L. Murphy, Ed.D., Associate Professor
Department of Educational Psychology
College of Education, Texas A&M University
622 Harrington Tower, MS 4225
College Station, TX 77843-4225
Contact:
Voice: (979) 845-0987 (direct)
(979) 845-1831 (departmental office)
Fax: (979) 862-1256
Email: kmurphy@tamu.edu
Electronic office hours: By appointment
Instructor page: <http://www.coe.tamu.edu/~kmurphy/disted/>
Course home page: <http://citl.tamu.edu/course-template/login.cfm>
Instructor 2:
Sue E. Mahoney, M.Ed., Graduate Assistant
College of Education, Texas A&M University
College Station, TX 77843-4225
Contact:
Voice: (713) 932-1993 (direct)
Email: sue@mahoney-associates.com
Electronic office hours: By appointment
[Other Classes]
[EDTC 618 Course -
password protected]
[ Dates/Times/Location | Course Description | Target Audience | Course Objectives | Texts | Delivery Mode ]
a. your textbook
b. course pack from Copy Corner
c. printouts of the syllabus, calendar, and all units
d. assignments due September 23
Please note:
- The course actually begins on August 28, 2000, the first day of classes.
- The course is considered to be a fairly advanced telecommunications course that is primarily Web-based.
- The course requires advanced Internet skills (e.g., email, email attachments, chats, FTP, Telnet, Web searches) because it is Web-based.
- We will use FirstClass computer conference software for communication.
- The course requires as much time and effort as, if not more than, a traditional course. Additionally, as a lab course, it requires approximately 14-15 hours per week for 15 weeks.
- You are expected to complete the assignments that are posted in the Introduction unit by the September 23 orientation session.
Course Description
This course focuses on instructional applications of telecommunications; analysis of characteristics of varied
systems, both dedicated and public networks; and
design of appropriate instructional strategies and methods using those systems.
This Web-based course is designed for teachers, administrators, technology specialists, faculty and staff in higher
education, and trainers to help apply the latest
developments in telecommunications technologies to specific education or training contexts. We will discuss the
instructional applications of telecommunication
technologies (telecourses, audio teleconferencing, satellite communications, two-way interactive videoconferencing,
and computer-mediated communication).
We will also discuss issues relating to the rapid development of the Internet as an educational technology. This
course is meant to be an interactive seminar in
which students and instructor alike take active roles.
This lab course is designed primarily as an applications-oriented online course. We will meet once for technology
training and for planning and getting to know
one another. All other sessions will take place throughout the semester via the Web: discussion boards, chat rooms,
and shared workspaces for collaborative work. Online resources will supplement the text. You will add to your store
of knowledge about these technologies by using them for communication, information gathering, and dissemination.
Because the course is Web-based and additionally is a lab course, expect to spend even more time on this course
than you would on traditional courses--about 14-15 hours per week.
Target Audience
School teachers, administrators, and curriculum and technology specialists; and faculty and staff in higher
education institutions.
Course Objectives
Delivery Mode
The course will be taught as a Web-based course. In addition, we will explore applications of other delivery technologies.
You will use the Web to:
· obtain information about the course from the class Web site <http://citl.tamu.edu/course-template/login.cfm>You will use FirstClass to:
· communicate with your classmates and with us <http://fc.coe.tamu.edu>
· do all of your coursework <http://fc.coe.tamu.edu>
You will each have authorization to access both the class Web site and the FirstClass 618 conferences with your
own identical login ID and password. Your login ID is the first letter of your first name followed by your last
name (e.g., mine is kmurphy for Karen Murphy). Your password is the last 5 digits of your student ID number. Use
these when you're prompted for your ID and password.
FirstClass Computer Conference:
We will use the text-based conferencing system, FirstClass. This course requires you to have access to FirstClass
from your own desktop so that you can use all of the functions of the software (i.e., email, conference messaging,
chats, collaborative documents). You can also access FirstClass from the Web for more limited functions. Follow
the instructions for downloading and installing FirstClass onto your computer at <http://fc.coe.tamu.edu>. Contact FirstClass Help <firstclass@coe.tamu.edu> for all technical difficulties or if you can't see the EDTC 618
Conferences on your FirstClass desktop.
You need access to an Internet provider to use FirstClass and Netscape (or another Web browser) via modem from home or work, or via ethernet in a campus computer lab. All students are eligible for an account on the computer system at TAMU through the Computer Information Service. If you expect to have difficulty in connecting to the University computer system via modem, we strongly encourage you to subscribe to an Internet Service Provider that offers a PPP or SLIP connection.
Pre-course Assessment:
Complete and submit the online assessment for online courses <http://www.coe.tamu.edu/~forms/usersurveys/karen/online.html> for us to assess your readiness.