Syllabus

Master of Science in Education

EDU 721: Using Technology within Inclusion Education – Fall A 2016

Credits - 3

Description

This course introduces students to the use of technology in the education of individuals with special needs. Methods and techniques for evaluation and determination of appropriate uses of technology are included. A range of assistive technologies are covered as well as teaching strategies that support the implementation of technologies. Using technology in universally-designed educational environments is examined. Participants will be expected to have access to and use selected teaching and learning technologies with students with disabilities.

Materials

There is no textbook for EDU 721. Required reading and viewing material are listed within each weekly module.

Learning Objectives and Outcomes

Course Objectives	INTASC
The student utilizes a variety of developmentally appropriate instruction methods that take into account individual learners’ strengths and needs, enabling each learner to demonstrate advance his/her learning.	1b 2a, 6e, 7c, 8a
The student assesses Assistive Technology supports for inclusion.	2f, 4g, 5c, 8be
The student uses Universal Design methods to engage learners of all abilities.	3e, 8be
The student engages in ongoing professional research and learning to inform and evaluate the use of Assistive Technology for inclusion.	7, 9
The student shares personal reflections, and collaborates with other school professionals to discuss Assistive Technology applications for inclusion.	1c,10b
The student utilizes IDEA and other legal precedent to inform classroom Assistive Technology choices that support Universal Design for Learning.	7, 9

Assignments

Weekly Discussions

This course has eight required discussions. The discussion topics are related to weekly topics and provide an opportunity for students to share ideas about how the content applies to professional practice. Your instructor will participate in the discussions as both a guide and an observer.

Week 2: Research Essay

After completing the assigned reading and video assignments for this week, choose one low, medium or high-tech assistive technology that would you would like to understand better and that might be valuable to you as a professional educator. Then write a brief research-based essay discussing how the technology could be used to support learning in an inclusion classroom.

Weeks 3/4: Lesson Plan

Use your knowledge of UDL to craft a lesson plan that includes the use of technology for a wide variety of learners as part of the instructional strategy. The lesson be a subset of a larger unit, and it should be executable in 1-3 50 minute class periods. For this lesson plan, you may choose the topic and content area. Annotate your lesson plan with explanations of your instructional decisions. Be sure to demonstrate how your instructional decisions are based on the readings/resources and best practices for students with disabilities.

You will submit a draft of your lesson plan to the Week 3 Discussion Board. Your revised final draft is due during Week 4.

Week 4: Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Checklist Assignment

This assignment requires you to evaluate whether or not instruction adheres to the UDL framework.

Week 5: App/Online Game Review Assignment

This assignment requires you to identify and review an educational application, online game, applet, simulation or any other type of web-based activity that requires interaction with the learner.

Week 6: Resource Investigation Assignment

Identify at least three new technologies you have learned about throughout this course that would help to engage students with specific disabilities in your inclusive classroom. Research the technology, and describe how you would work to acquire and implement the technology in your inclusion classroom. Include each of the elements below in your research assignment, and include any additional information that you think is pertinent to your implementation of the tools in the classroom.

Week 7: Technology Selection and Acquisition Assignment

What technology would make your job as an educator in an inclusion classroom easier? Draft a persuasive email to the administrator in your school or district office who is in charge of such requisitions requesting the technology you need.

Grading Policy

Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:

Grade Breakdown

Assignments	100 Points
8 Discussion Board Posts	32 points (4 points each)
Week 2: Research Essay	15 points
Week 3/4: Lesson Plan Assignment	15 points
Week 4: UDL Ideas Assignment	10 points
Week 5: App/Online Game Assignment	10 points
Week 6: Resource Investigation Assignment	10 points
Week 7: Technology Selection and Acquisition Letter	8 points

Grade Scale

Grade	Points Grade	Point Average (GPA)
A	94 – 100%	4.00
A-	90 – 93%	3.75
B+	87 – 89%	3.50
B	84 – 86%	3.00
B-	80 – 83%	2.75
C+	77 – 79%	2.50
C	74 – 76%	2.00
C-	70 – 73%	1.75
D	64 – 69%	1.00
F	00 – 63%	0.00

Schedule

This is a tentative schedule and is meant to give you a bird’s eye view. The activities and assignments may change at the discretion of the instructor.

Week	Topic	Activities & Assignments	Dates
1 8/31-9/4	Intro to Assistive Technology and Legal Precedent	Discussion: Video Introductions with Closed Captioning or Transcripts Refer to Week 1 Module for Reading and Viewing	Due: Sept. 4 at 11:59 pm. ET
2 9/5-9/11	The AT Continuum and Device Accessibility in the Wired Classroom	Discussion: Using the Available Technology Refer to Week 2 Module for Reading and Viewing Assignment: Research Essay	Due: Sept. 11 at 11:59 pm. ET
3 9/12-9/18	AT tools for academic needs	Discussion: Lesson Plan Feedback Refer to Week 3 Module for Reading and Viewing Assignment: First Draft of Lesson Plan – Due Week 4	Due: Sept. 18 at 11:59 pm. ET
4 9/19-9/25	AT tools for engagement, attention, and other needs	Discussion: UDL Ideas Refer to Week 4 Module for Reading and Viewing Assignment: UDL Checklist Assignment: Final Draft of Lesson Plan	Due: Sept. 25 at 11:59 pm. ET
5 9/26-10/2	Universal Design for Learning Part I	Discussion: Computer Accessibility Tools Refer to Week 5 Module for Reading and Viewing Assignment: App/Online Game Review	Due: October 2 at 11:59 pm. ET
6 10/3-10/9	Universal Design for Learning Part II	Discussion: App/Game Review Sharing Refer to Week 6 Module for Reading and Viewing Assignment: Resource Investigation	Due: Oct. 9 at 11:59 pm. ET
7 10/10-10/16	Independent Research	Discussion: Independent Research Refer to Week 7 Module for Reading and Viewing Assignment: Technology Selection and Acquisition	Due: Oct. 16 at 11:59 pm. ET
8 10/17-10/23	Wrap-Up	Discussion: Wrap-Up Refer to Week 8 Module for Reading and Viewing	Due: FRIDAY, Oct. 21 at 11:59 pm. ET

Student Resources

Online Student Support

Your Student Support Specialist is a resource for you. Please don't hesitate to contact them for assistance, including, but not limited to course planning, current problems or issues in a course, technology concerns, or personal emergencies.

Questions? Visit the Student Support Education page

UNE Libraries:

Library Access for all students: Your library login ID and password are the same as the ones you use to log into Blackboard/Brightspace.
Education Databases: https://library.une.edu/library-materials/find/research-by-subject/education/
Library Questions: Ask a librarian or phone library staff at (207) 602-2361 or (207) 221-4330.

UNE Student Academic Success Center

The Student Academic Success Center (SASC) offers a range of services to support your academic achievement, including tutoring, writing support, test prep and studying strategies, learning style consultations, and many online resources. To make an appointment for tutoring, writing support, or a learning specialist consultation, go to une.tutortrac.com. To access our online resources, including links, guides, and video tutorials, please visit:

UNE Student Academic Success Center

Information Technology Services (ITS)

ITS Contact: Toll Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673

Accommodations

Any student who would like to request, or ask any questions regarding, academic adjustments or accommodations must contact the Student Access Center at (207) 221-4438 or pcstudentaccess@une.edu. Student Access Center staff will evaluate the student's documentation and determine eligibility of accommodation(s) through the Student Access Center registration procedure.

Online Peer Support

Togetherall is a 24/7 communication and emotional support platform monitored by trained clinicians. It’s a safe place online to get things off your chest, have conversations, express yourself creatively, and learn how to manage your mental health. If sharing isn’t your thing, Togetherall has other tools and courses to help you look after yourself with plenty of resources to explore. Whether you’re struggling to cope, feeling low, or just need a place to talk, Togetherall can help you explore your feelings in a safe supportive environment. You can join Togetherall using your UNE email address.

Information Technology Services (ITS)

Students should notify their Student Support Specialist and instructor in the event of a problem relating to a course. This notification should occur promptly and proactively to support timely resolution.

ITS Contact: Toll-Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673.

Career Ready Program

The College of Professional Studies supports its online students and alumni in their career journey!

The Career Ready Program provides tools and resources to help students explore and hone in on their career goals, search for jobs, create and improve professional documents, build professional network, learn interview skills, grow as a professional, and more. Come back often, at any time, as you move through your journey from career readiness as a student to career growth, satisfaction, and success as alumni.

Policies

Instructor information

Please see your instructor’s self-introduction in an Announcement in the first week of the course.

Course structure and components

The course is composed of 8 Learning Modules and students are expected to complete one module per week according to the course schedule. There are 3 major components for this class: Readings and resources for each weekly learning module, discussions, and assignments. Each assignment description is found within the module it is due.
Because of the nature of online learning, participation is critical. Students are expected to keep abreast of module requirements, communications, projects, and discussions, and post relevant comments or responses in a timely manner. All assignments have due dates, and all work is expected to be submitted on or before the due date.

Correspondence

Announcements: announcements are used regularly. Check them daily.
Ask the Instructor: This is a forum in your Discussion Board. Questions regarding general class issues such as clarification on content, clarification on assignments, technical assistance should all be asked here. Do not post any personal questions here.
Email: email rather than course mail is used to communicate with your instructor. See the intro announcement for the email address.
Assignment feedback: Generally, your feedback will be contained within your assignment and uploaded for you to view once the grade has been given.
General support: Review the Support page for contact information and a directory as to who is here to help.

Minimum technical skills

For this course, you will be expected to be able to use e-mail and attachments, to send files, to copy/paste, and to use the internet. You should also be familiar with being able to convert documents to MS Word compatibility mode) for formatting submission and sharing of documents. Additionally, you will be required to access various online technologies such as a screen cast maker, youtube, voicethread, and other web 2.0 tools.

Privacy/Confidentiality

As in any University class you may want to share real life examples from your organizations during discussions and in your written work. It will be necessary to respect the same rules of the classroom in this setting. Please do not share information that clearly identifies someone or some situation in your organization that you know should not be divulged outside your organization. You can share examples without breaking confidentiality. I also ask that each of you respect and honor confidentiality and keep any references or information within the course.

Late assignments
Due to the nature of a part-time graduate course, it is reasonable to expect that issues regarding work and family life may arise. The late penalty is as follows:

10% (i.e., one letter grade) deduction for assignments submitted no later than 48 hours after the due date (i.e., Tuesday, midnight EST).
20% deduction (i.e., two letter grades) if submitted no later than 96 hours after the due date (i.e., Thursday, midnight EST)
Assignments submitted after midnight on Thursday will not be accepted.

AI Use

The Graduate Programs in Education holds the position that Grammarly and other AI writing and generative technology should not be used when completing course assignments, unless explicitly permitted by course faculty and assignment instructions. These tools do not support a student’s personal and direct capacity to develop and hone skills in creativity, logic, critical thinking, analysis, evaluation, theorization, and writing, which are central to graduate-level rigor, assessment, and research. Use of these tools when not explicitly permitted may result in an academic integrity infraction.

Turnitin Originality Check and Plagiarism Detection Tool

The College of Professional Studies uses Turnitin to help deter plagiarism and to foster the proper attribution of sources. Turnitin provides comparative reports for submitted assignments that reflect similarities in other written works. This can include, but is not limited to, previously submitted assignments, internet articles, research journals, and academic databases.

Make sure to cite your sources appropriately as well as use your own words in synthesizing information from published literature. Webinars and workshops, included early in your coursework, will help guide best practices in APA citation and academic writing.

You can learn more about Turnitin in the guide on how to navigate your Similarity Report.

Technology Requirements

Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Graduate Programs: Technical Requirements

Course Evaluation Policy

Course surveys are one of the most important tools the University of New England uses for evaluating the quality of your education, and for providing meaningful feedback to instructors on their teaching. In order to assure that the feedback is both comprehensive and precise, we need to receive it from each student for each course. Evaluation access is distributed via UNE email at the beginning of the last week of the course.

Late Policy

Assignments: Late assignments will be accepted up to 3 days late; however, there is a 10% grade reduction (from the total points) for the late submission. After three days the assignment will not be accepted.

Discussion posts: If the initial post is submitted late, but still within the discussion board week, there will be a 10% grade reduction from the total discussion grade (e.g., a 3 point discussion will be reduced by 0.3 points). Any posts submitted after the end of the Discussion Board week will not be graded.

Please make every effort ahead of time to contact your instructor and your student support specialist if you are not able to meet an assignment deadline. Arrangements for extenuating circumstances may be considered by faculty.

Attendance Policy

8 week: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Sunday at 11:59 pm ET of the first week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office.

16 week: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Friday at 11:59 pm ET of the second week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office.

Student Handbook Online - Policies and Procedures

The policies contained within this document apply to all students in the College of Professional Studies. It is each student's responsibility to know the contents of this handbook.

UNE Online Student Handbook

UNE Course Withdrawal

Please contact your student support specialist if you are considering dropping or withdrawing from a course. The last day to drop for 100% tuition refund is the 2nd day of the course. Financial Aid charges may still apply. Students using Financial Aid should contact the Financial Aid Office prior to withdrawing from a course.

Academic Integrity

The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable. For information about plagiarism and academic misconduct, please visit UNE Plagiarism Policies.

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:

Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
Multiple submissions of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.

Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.