Course Details

CUIN 7376m: Design of Online Educational Resources II
Section #: 26838
5:00-8:00PM Thursdays
Classes meet in the Street Level Classroom at the Houston Academy of Medicine - Texas Medical Center Library (HAM-TMC)

This course is being taught in conjunction with CUIN 7356 - Issues in Distance Education

Course Description

CUIN 7376 is a graduate level course in the University of Houston's Master of Education in Teaching Program with an Emphasis in the Health Sciences. The major focus of the course is on the use of advanced principles of information design to create educationally useful digital media projects. The course is designed as a theoretical and applications-based experience for students who have completed the introductory instructional technology courses; understand basic Internet concepts such as web protocols and HTML; and have some experience with digital media tools and resources; and want to learn more about designing, developing and evaluating educational projects, including how to successfully deliver multimedia-rich educational content in print, digital media and over the web.

The course will build upon existing foundations of web design and HTML, publishing a website, multimedia and the web, cross-browser/platform coding issues with attention to user interface design, and the specific considerations that need to be examined when designing for multiple audiences.

Some of the topics that will be covered in this course include:

• Intermediate and advanced techniques of web design

• Cross-platform web browser issues

• Creating and maintaining a blog

• Creating and distributing podcasts

• Creating and maintaining a social network

• Preparing audio and video for delivery over the web

• An exploration of Web 2.0 applications that may be useful to educators and their students

• Determining ways that digital media can be delivered through educational websites

• Creating and managing an online journal

• Evaluating the effectiveness, usability and accessibility of web resources created during the course

Course Format

Course activities will take place both in class, where students will participate in face-to-face discussions and conduct topic-related activities, as well as online, where students will participate in virtual discussions via an online discussion forum. Some students may work in small, collaborative groups while others will work individually to complete reading, posting, and hands-on assignments throughout the semester. Each face-to-face class session during the semester will include a web page that presents the information covered in that week's class, a description of a hands-on lab activity, and the assignments for the next class.
 

Prerequisites for this Course

It is assumed that students entering this graduate-level course have some computer skills and are familiar with the process of designing instructional materials. Students who enroll in this course should have some basic familiarity with the web and web editing software. Experience designing and developing simple web pages is helpful, however advanced technical skills are not required for this course. Introductory or advanced skills in HTML are not the focus of this course. The focus instead will be on many of the associated skills that are needed to construct comprehensive, educationally-relevant online resources, such as organization of information, navigation, writing for the web, graphic design and page layout, accessibility and usability issues, and evaluating the educational value of web resources. Other courses in the Instructional Technology program are offered for students who wish to gain beginning and/or advanced web design skills. Please contact the instructor for more information or to discuss which additional courses may be best suited for you.

Course Philosophy

Relationship to the College of Education Conceptual Framework

Collaboration is cooperative activity, characterized by dialogue and shared effort. Participants will collaborate with peers in classroom activities, projects, and presentations.

Learning implies knowledge, skills, and dispositions gained through systematic study, and the modification of behavior as a result of training and experience. Learning in this course is emphasized through the meaningful use of instructional technologies and authentic assessment techniques. Participants will prepare a portfolio demonstrating their learning in this course.

Leading involves initiating and promoting positive change. Leading is highlighted in this course as participants prepare and make presentations demonstrating how technologies can be used to support learning.

The design, curriculum, and instructional flow of CUIN 7376 is aligned with the learner-centered proficiencies and principles of the Conceptual Framework of the College of Education, “Collaboration for Learning and Leading.” In CUIN 7376, as with other courses in the IT program, this framework allows students to collaborate with each other, with faculty members and with members of the community to discover and investigate a variety of challenging educational objectives that take advantage of innovative and meaningful ways to use of technology in education.

Required Course Materials

Web browsers you will use during this course should be configured so that you can access multimedia content online. Below are links to some of the more popular browser plug-ins and helper applications that may be downloaded for free.

	Adobe Acrobat Reader (to view PDF files)
	RealPlayer (to hear RealAudio and view RealVideo files) Be sure to look for the link to the Free Real Player, not the free trial version of the version of RealPlayer you must purchase.
	QuickTime Player (to view QuickTime movie clips)
	Macromedia Flash Player (to view Flash movies)
	Windows Media Player 10 or Higher (to view Windows Media movie clips and hear Windows Media audio files)

Attendance and Participation

Regular class attendance and participation in class discussions is expected. Students are expected to actively participate in both face-to-face and virtual class meetings and complete all assignments in a timely manner.

Grading Policy

• CLASS TOPIC ASSIGNMENTS: -worth a maximum of 45 points
  -5 points for each of nine hands-on assignments

  Class 1: Find and Evaluate a Blog

  Class 2: Evaluate a Social Bookmarking Site

  Class 3: Find and Discuss a Web 2.0 Resource

  Class 4: Continue Finding and Discussing a Web 2.0 Resource  - ungraded

  Class 5: Evaluate the First Online Class Session

  Class 6-1: Find and Evaluate a Podcast

  Class 7: Find and Discuss an Article, Website or other Resource about Social Networking

  Class 8: Discuss Another Web 2.0 Resource

  Class 9-1: Make a Presentation about One Web 2.0 Resource During the August 7 Online Class Session

  Class 9-2: Make a Final Blog Posting about using the Connect Pro videoconferencing system
   

• DEVELOPMENT OF A FINAL SEMESTER PROJECT PLAN (Class 6 - assignment 2): -worth a maximum of 10 points
  Each student will be graded on a written plan that outlines the various elements that will be included in the final semester project.
   

Academic Dishonesty

The University of Houston defines academic dishonesty as employing a method or technique or engaging in conduct in an academic endeavor that the student knows or should know is not permitted by the university or a course instructor to fulfill academic requirements. Students are expected to do original work, including class assignments, etc. Penalties include failure of the entire assignment and referral to the department chair for consideration of additional action.

Special Accommodations

When possible, and in accordance with 504/ADA guidelines, we will attempt to provide reasonable academic accommodations to students who request and require them. Please call 713 743-5400 for more assistance.
 

About the Instructor
 

Summer Office Hours:
Thursdays - 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the HAM-TMC Street Level Classroom.
Other times and telephone calls may be scheduled by appointment.