This page is being updated--readings are subject to change

CS 4660:
Educational Technology

Time: TTh 1:30-3:00
Location: College of Computing Building (CCB) 101
Instructor: Amy Bruckman
Office: CCB 255
Email: asb@cc.gatech.edu
(Email is best way to reach me.)
Office Hours: Find me after class or email for an appointment
Teaching Assistant: Jim Hudson
TA Email: jhudson@cc.gatech.edu
Coweb: http://swiki.cc.gatech.edu:8080/cs4660
Newsgroup: git.cc.class.cs4660

Texts:



Prerequisite

There are no prereqs. Students from all departments are welcome.

CS majors should know that the class requires more reading and writing than most CS classes. It's time consuming, but a nice mental break from programming and problem sets. You'll get a chance to practice your writing skills, which are one key to your future career success regardless of what career you chose.


Focus of the Course

In this class, we will begin by studying theories of learning. Next, we'll explore how those theories lead you to design different kinds of educational software and hardware. A variety of different approaches to educational technology will be presented. In the software analysis assignment in the first half of the semester, you'll identify the theory of learning behind a particular commercial or research example of educational technology. In the design assignments in the second half of the course, you'll propose designs for educational technology based on two different approaches to learning.

Ethical issues in appropriate use of technology in educational settings will also be discussed.


Grading

Your grade will be based on these assignments:
  1. Personal Learning Experience (5%)
  2. Software Analysis (10%)
  3. Midterm (20%)
  4. Design Assignment (30%)
  5. Final (25%)
  6. Class Participation (10%)

Suggested assignment lengths are approximate. Some people will do a good job in less and some will require many more pages. Please don't play games with the margins or fonts to try to make it come out a certain length--no one is counting. Don't worry about the page count--just make sure that you've completed the assignment well. Please remember to double space papers so we can write comments.


Computing Resources

If you registered for the class and you already have a CoC account, you have been given access to College of Computing machine clusters (if you didn't have access already). If you register late, you should be added later automatically. If not, mail help@cc asking to be given access.

If you need a CoC account, you can get a request form in front of CCB 213. Complete the form and return it there. Booklets on available CoC computing resources are available outside of room CCB 140.


Course Outline

All readings are subject to change.

Late Policy

Each student may have a total of three late days over the course of the semester. Once you've used those up, late work will be penalized at a rate of one grade-step per day (max grade becomes A-, then B+, etc.) Work will not be accepted more than one week late. We always make an effort to return papers promptly; however, late papers may be returned substantially later.

Your presentations may not be late. Your take-home final exams may not be late.


Honor Code

This class abides by the Georgia Tech Honor Code.
Questions welcome--email the instructor or TA.