Discussion+Board+Topics

=Discussion Topics =

__**General Information:**__
Discussion topics will be posted in the FSW Canvas program - access Canvas by clicking on your course in the Portal and logging in again, if requested.

Students will write a minimum of 200 word post to address each topic. Be sure to write using academic writing with supportive material to address the topic and cite any references. Students will also respond to at least two classmates to create further discussion on the topic. Comments are not to provide "accolades" rather to extend the discussion and add commentary to the understanding of the topic.

__Message Board netiquette:__
 ^ Read completely and with focus before posting or commenting to be sure you understand the expectations and/or posted information. This includes reading the original topic prompt.  ^ When posting a message (also called a thread), use the subject line to accurately describe your topic.  ^ Write clearly when composing your post. ^ Think before you post!
 * Use formal academic writing and not informal online conversational tones and writing
 * Be sure to check spelling and grammar before submitting. It is recommended to first prepare your text in a word processing program for review and then copy & paste into the message/discussion board.
 * Avoid using abbreviations and emoticons as they are not always universally understood
 * Use mixed case when typing - UPPER CASE is considered rude and is difficult to read, while using only lower case is not appropriate academic writing.
 * Avoid reacting emotionally to a post
 * Be extra polite and sensitive to others
 * Respond to a posting with which you disagree in an objective, respectful manner. Do not make personal or insulting remarks.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">__Discussion Topic Assignments:__
<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">__//1) Introductory Biography//__ <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">//Initial post due// //<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Wed, Sep 2nd //<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> //midnight// <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">//Comment/////Response post due// //<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Thu, Sep 3rd //<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> //5:59pm//
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Write a post using the guidelines above to introduce yourself (your name, any background information, career goal, experiences with technologies and/or in the classroom)
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Include in the post a statement or two about your current philosophy of teaching/learning (beliefs, approaches, values)
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Add a photograph of yourself or something that represents you
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">To complete this assignment, be sure to respond to one or more of your classmates' post as indicated above.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">__//2) Educational Technology Best Practices/Resources//__ <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> //Initial post due// //<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Wed, Sep 9th //<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">//midnight// <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> //Comment/////Response post due// //<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Thu, Sep 10th //<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> //5:59pm//
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; line-height: 1.5;">Though we have just started considering some of educational technology best practices and resources, there are topics discussed in the book, as well as relevant links. In addition, there are applicable resources to explore:
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Edutopia - Integrating Technology in Education
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Contra Costa County - Best Practices Links for Integrating Technology into the Curriculum
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">PBS for Teachers - Technology Integration
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">eSchool News - Best Practices in School Technology
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">THE Journal - listing of current and archived editions (note - you will need to register to view, but it is free!)
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Select at least three specific best practices and/or resources that include the use of educational technology (i.e., don't select a general web page. Instead, choose a specific article or best practice or lesson plan, etc. All three of your best practices could come from the same web page, but it is best to explore beyond a single web page).
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Write a post using the guidelines below to describe and critique (i.e., do you agree/disagree and why?) those three best practices and/or resources.
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">To complete this assignment, be sure to respond to two or more of your classmates' post as indicated below
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Also reference [|Discussion Question FAQs]

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">//__3) Assistive/Adaptive Technology for Students__// <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">//Initial post due// //<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Wed, Oct 14th //<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> //midnight// <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">//Comment/////Response post due// //<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Thu, Oct 15th //<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> //5:59pm//
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Thinking about the diversity of classroom populations goes well beyond race and culture into the various ways our students learn. All students have a preferred learning style and many have other specific needs, as well.
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">For this post, you will choose the profile of a student who would benefit from assistive/adaptive technologies (i.e., sight impaired, hearing impaired, or other disability)
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Review websites that provide strategies for improving learning with applicable assistive and/or adaptive technology. Below are some examples to get you started, but you are strongly encouraged to use websites that you find and evaluate yourself, too.
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">FDLRS - Assistive Technology
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Assistive Technology in the Classroom - Helping Challenged Kids Get the Most from Learning
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Family Village Schools - Special Education and Early Intervention Resources
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Assistive Technology Blog (Virginia Department of Education)
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Assistive Technology Training Online Project
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Write a post using the guidelines to share the strategies you would use to assist this student if he/she were in your classroom. Be sure to explain which student profile you selected (i.e., visually impaired, etc) and then be specific about the tools that you would use and/or the modifications that you would make to assist that student have the same opportunities for learning.
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">To complete this assignment, be sure to respond to one or more of your classmates' post as indicated above

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">//__4) Technology Assisting ELL Students__// <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">//Initial post due// //<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Wed, Oct 21st //<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> //midnight// <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">//Comment/////Response post due// //<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Thu, Oct 22nd //<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> //5:59pm// <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Case Study - Breaking the Language Barrier <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> Using Technology to Help ESL/EFL Students Develop Language Skills <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> ESOL Strategies
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">It is not unusual for students whose native language is not English to be in our classrooms. Providing an effective learning lesson for these students often requires differentiation/modification. Though there usually are human and non-technology resources available, you will be focusing on //technology-oriented resources// to assist these students.
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">For this post, you will choose the profile of an ELL student.
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Review websites related to the student profile and/or strategies for increased learning, to include, but not limited to:
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Write a post using the guidelines to share the strategies you would use to assist this student if he/she were in your classroom. Be sure to share the profile/background of your selected ELL student as well as the class you are teaching, but focus on the technology opportunities to enhance his/her learning.
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">To complete this assignment, be sure to respond to one or more of your classmates' post as indicated above.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">__//5) Legal and Ethical Issues//__ <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">//Initial post due// //<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Wed, Nov 18th //<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> //midnight// <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">//Comment/////Response post due// //<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Thu, Nov 19th //<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> //5:59pm//
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">There are a number of legal and ethical issues to consider when working with technology. Choose one of the following to review and critique, using your own researched/evaluated websites, in a written post following the guidelines: Information Privacy, Copyright & Fair Use, Cyberbullying (or if you have another issue you want to discuss, check with me by Apr 7th)
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">To complete this assignment, be sure to respond to one or more of your classmates' post as indicated above.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">__Discussion Grading Rubric:__
<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; line-height: 0px; overflow: hidden;"> media type="custom" key="23792124"