Welcome to this advanced educational telecommunications course in offered by the Educational Technology Program in the Department of Educational Psychology at Texas A&M University. Dr. Karen L. Murphy is the instructor. The course begins on January 13 and ends on May 4.

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Class web page: http://disted.tamu.edu/classes/telecom03/edtc668/

Instructor
Karen L. Murphy, Ed.D., Associate Professor
Dept. of Educational Psychology
College of Education, Texas A&M University
622 Harrington Tower, MS 4225
College Station, TX 77843-4225

Voice: (979) 845-0987 (direct)
(979) 845-1831 (departmental office)
Fax: (979) 862-1256
Email: kmurphy@tamu.edu
Office hours: By appointment
Instructor page: http://disted.tamu.edu/

[ Dates/Times/Location | Course Description | Course Objectives | Texts | Delivery Mode ]

Course Description
This course focuses on instructional applications of telecommunications; the analysis of characteristics of varied systems, both dedicated and public networks; and the 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 them apply the latest developments in telecommunications technologies to specific education or training contexts. We will discuss the instructional applications of varied 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. The primary focus will be online instruction and learning. This course, based on principles of constructivism and project-based learning, is meant to be an interactive seminar in which students and instructor alike take active roles.

Course Objectives
At the end of the course, each student will be able to:

1. Define telecommunications, identify the critical attributes of telecommunications technologies, and describe their applications to educational settings
2. Incorporate successful interactive techniques (e.g., role-play, game, case study, evaluation, debate) in disseminating instruction via telecommunications
3. Demonstrate an enhanced knowledge base and proficiency in participating in and facilitating online discussions and activities
4. Work collaboratively, using constructivist principles, to design, develop, and publish on the Web an online course that solves educational problems
5. Demonstrate an appreciation for resources available electronically and competency in retrieving, managing, disseminating, and sharing such resources

Text
Course Pack from Copy Corner (979-693-0640 or 979-694-COPY), 1404 Texas Avenue South, College Station (e-mail: info@copy-corner.com)

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Dates/Time/Location
The course is Web-based, with only one face-to-face meeting held on Sunday, January 19, 2003 from 3:00pm - 5:00 pm for an orientation session in 636 Harrington on the TAMU campus in College Station. The class session will also be available by some form of remote access to those who live at a distance. This session is part of a weekend orientation for all EDTC online classes and includes library orientation, technical training, and a get-together in the evening of January 18. See the Orientation Agenda at http://www.coe.tamu.edu/~edtc/edtc/prog/edtcOrientationsSp2003.htm

Please bring:

• something warm to wear inside the building
• a digital photo (or be prepared to have your photo taken during the orientation)
• all of your course materials including -
  

a. course pack from Copy Corner
b. printouts of the syllabus and all units available
c. any assignments due

Please note:

• The course actually begins on January 13, 2003
• The course is an advanced course in the applications of telecommunications
• The course requires advanced Internet skills (email, attachments, chats, Web searches, installing software and plug-ins) because it is Web-based
• The course requires as much time and effort as, if not more than, a traditional course (12-15 hours per week for 15 weeks)
• You should plan to log on to the class 4-5 days per week on average
• You are expected to participate in the January 19 Orientation
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Delivery Mode
The course will be taught as a Web-based course. In addition, we will explore applications of other delivery technologies. Technical training is optional and is part of an entire weekend devoted to the orientation of EDTC Web-based classes (January 17-19, 2003).

• Course website: Information about the course and your responsibilities are explained in this website. It also contains links to online resources that will
  supplement the readings.
• FirstClass: This computer conferencing program offers email, threaded discussions, real-time chats, and collaborative documents. This course requires you to have access to the client version of FirstClass from your own desktop. 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 technical difficulties after the class has begun.
• WebCT: This program will be used for the Calendar and Gradebook.

You will access the course Web site and the FirstClass 668 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., kmurphy for Karen Murphy). Your password is the last 5 digits of your student ID number. Use these when you are prompted for your ID and password on the Web site and in FirstClass. You will be provided the Class Key, which you should use to enroll in the class Web site only once.You need to access WebCT with your "preferred" Neo username and password.