Course Syllabus
INST 4330: Technology Troubleshooting for Educators
Course Syllabus
Fall 2015
2 Credit Hours
Troubleshooting is not a stress test. It involves solving a puzzle. Please email me
with concerns before you cross this line!
Course Description:
This course provides an opportunity for pre-service and in-service educators to gain
a familiarity with troubleshooting technology across a broad range of technical and
managerial settings within an educational environment. Specific skills include
gaining a familiarity with common hardware components, diagnosing many
common problems in a windows based environment, resolving issues of hardware
and software compatibility, and developing an awareness of resolving problems
with formats. In addition, one will be exposed to issues of licensing, property rights
and privacy in a technical environment. The goal is to provide a conceptual
understanding of these areas while growing a practical application of these skills
within the scope of a 2 credit-hour course.
Instructor Information:
Dr. Rob Hallis; Associate Professor of Library Science
BME, BM, BA, MM, MLIS, Ph.D.
Office hours by appointment
By Phone: 660-543-8002
By Foot: JCKL 2446
By Electron: hallis@ucmo.edu
Course Materials:
Required Texts:
An appropriate Operating System book for the device you own & Networking book.
Suggested Texts:
Zacker, Craig. Networking: the Complete Reference. New York: Osborne / McGrawHill, 2001.
McFedries, Paul. Computers Simplified. 6th ed Hoboken, NL.: Wiley Publishing, Inc.
2005.
Required Reading
Weekly postings of chapters of a book, articles or references to online resources
will be included in the activities portion of each section.
Conceptual Framework:
Education continues to adopt evolving technologies in the classroom. Three areas
dramatically changed troubleshooting: rise of mobile devices, growing content
through a staggering hodgepodge of portals, and cloud computing. Consequently, it
becomes extremely important to provide an opportunity to familiarize pre-service
and in-service educators with skills needed to create, maintain and support these
technologies. This section provides an opportunity to gain troubleshooting skills in
diagnosing equipment failures, managing lab resources, and evaluating software
compatibility through developing a conceptual foundation while exposing one to the
practical skills needed to support these technologies within the scope of a 2 credithour class. The Central educator is a competent, caring reflective practitioner
committed to the premise that all can learn, and dedicated to develop our students’
potential through delivering quality instruction within an accessible environment.
Mission
As a cornerstone of the institution for over 130 years, the University of Central
Missouri’s Teacher Education Program develops teachers and other school
professionals, who are well grounded in theory, display competence in content
knowledge and instructional strategies, and possess the disposition to ensure
success for all learners. The Teacher Education Program prepares individuals as
professional educators for an ever-changing, culturally diverse population. Faculty
and candidates provide support and service to schools in meeting their present and
future challenges by developing communities that learn through research and
scholarly activities. Educator preparation is a campus-wide responsibility, a
commitment that reflects the honor and worth of serving a vital profession.
Course Objectives and Competencies:
Upon completion of this course, one will develop a conceptual awareness of:
1. The difference between hardware issues, software issues, training issues,
and legal issues when diagnosing problems in a technical environment.
2. The components of a smart device/computer and the networked
environment in which it operates as well as where problems are likely to
occur with these devices.
3. Intellectual property rights for both the creator and consumer in a digital
environment.
4. Issues surrounding access, content, and devices needed to access eresources.
One will be exposed to:
1. The set-up and description of the configuration [hardware and software]
of a computer.
2. How to use simple diagnostic software to troubleshoot problems in the
hardware and software components of a computer.
3. Identifying and troubleshooting some media technologies used in schools.
4. Organizing and upgrading computer hardware and software.
5. Writing governing policies and procedures for legally and ethically
maintaining technology used in schools.
The learning experiences include:
1. Information provided through assigned reading.
2. Interacting with colleagues in this course; experiencing the range of
technical abilities and perspectives, seeing multiple points of view in
responding to problems as well as solving them, and discovering
emerging technologies.
3. Experience gained from working through assignments.
4. Experience gained in describing difficulties when they are encountered
and the process of working through an issue. [Ie it is as important to gain
experience with the process as it is to solve the problem]..
Student Evaluation
The course is divided into weekly modules. Class participation [through discussion
board postings] will be included in the evaluation. Doing a wide variety of activities
will mitigate weaknesses, emphasize strengths, and reduce stress. The goal is to
expose you to a wide range of technologies, problems, and scenarios; designed to
give you opportunities to articulate your perspective while solving a puzzle, reacting
to a situation, or considering your responsibility within a technical environment.
Grades
Weekly Assignments
A=90% and above
15 x 10 points each
B=80-89.9%
Participation [Comment] 100
[15 X 5 + 25 for assignments]
C=70-79.9%
150
D=60-69.9%
Network Assignment
100
F=below 59.9%
EResource Activities
300
Legal Activity
200
Lab Plan
200
Final Reflection
200
Total possible
1250
Structure of the Course / Student Responsibilities:
Blackboard is used to distribute material as well as provide a forum for discussion.
The majority of interaction will take place through Blackboard, although links will
direct students to additional material outside the blackboard environment. It is
expected that students will login a few times each week in order to stay informed
and participate in class discussions. Furthermore, students are expected to check
their student email regularly. Standard rules of conduct for netiquette are expected.
When posting on discussions, please keep to comments that are substantive. While
an occasional “Nice job!” is always appreciated, please do not fill up the board with
multiple short posts that don’t move the discussion further along. Keep in mind the
relationship between quality and quantity of posts, and assignment will provide
guidance. Last minute postings do not add much to the conversation, so full points
are provided for posting discussion assignments 2 days before deadlines.
Technology Requirements:
The course is distributed through Blackboard, and documents will be shared
through dropbox, and googledocs. Students should have a compatible webbrowser
and adequate bandwidth. Audio, video and capture capability is strongly
recommended. Because this is a troubleshooting course, students must be able to
download and install several small free applications for purposes of evaluation.
Students can suggest alternatives to the ones contained in the activity.
Lab or home computer and internet access is necessary for completion of required
classwork. Students must have Acrobat Reader 9.0 or higher [freely available at
www.adobe.com], the latest flash plug-in [http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/], and
be able to load a kindle reader on your computer. The recommended texts are
vintage Windows XP as an operating system and a networking guide, but you are
encouraged to substitute a text dealing with the operating system on your computer
[PC or Mac]. Assignments will be generic enough that they can be completed in
most operating systems, but you will be responsible for completing the assignment.
[I have a Mac OS X, Windows XP & system 7. If you want to use Linux, you are on
your own].
For additional information about assistance with Blackboard and other technology resources,
please visit http://www.ucmo.edu/ced/syllabus/tech.cfm
ACCESS AND NAVIGATION FOR ONLINE COMPONENTS:
Blackboard Access and Log in Information
To access the online components of this course, go to: http://courses.ucmo.edu
You will need your UCM username and password to log in to the course. If you do not know, or
cannot remember your information, please refer to the information provided by the Technology
Support Center: http://www.ucmo.edu/ot/new/
What students should do first::
Students will get an email prior to the first day of classes [8/17] welcoming
them,and directing them to the blackboard class. There they will find the folder for
activities for the first week. This email has all my contact information, and this
syllabus attached. They are instructed to email early and often when they encounter
problems. I have a rule of five: 5 trys or 5 minutes, and email..
How should students Proceed Each Week for Class Activities:
Assignments are weekly, and are posted a few days before the week begins. Weekly
activities begin on Monday and are due Sunday evening. Students should look over
the assignment before the weekend to see what is involved.
Communication:
The most efficient mode of contact is via email at hallis@ucmo.edu. Blackboard also
provides places to ask your questions on the discussion board so that the entire
class can read the question and contribute to the response. While I regularly check
the bulletin board, I generally refrain from directly participating in the community
in order to encourage discourse among those in the class. I check the bulletin board
and email, and generally answer emails within 24 hours. Address specific questions
to me, but feel free to use the general forum of the class to field opinions from those
attending..
Class Meeting Times and OnLine Support:
This course is entirely online, using Blackboard as the LMS software. Course access
is at: http://courses.ucmo.edu. Problems with campus logins can be resolved
through he Help Desk, located in the basement floor of Ward Edwards in 0200, or by
calling 660-543-4357.
Teaching Style:
This course provides a framework for gaining some familiarity with the quickly
evolving area of educational technology. “Lectures” and readings do little more than
set the context, and Students are expected to actively engage the material through
applying the issues discussed in analyzing your computer, considering how you
would work through the scenario in your situation, or providing advice. Your
experience as digital consumers as well as looking to information from a variety of
sources (professional journal literature, books, online resources, colleges,
classmates, etc.) provide additional resources for the discussions.
Mailing List
Each student is expected to subscribe to the listserv maintained by the department. Important
information may be missed by students who are not subscribed. For more information see
https://groups.google.com/a/ucmo.edu/forum/?hl=en&fromgroups#!forum/edtech-list
Facebook
You are also invited to join UCM Ed Tech on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=97976497159
COURSE AND UNIVERSITY POLICIES AND PROCEDURES:
University Policies and Notices
The instructor of this course will follow all UCM policies and procedures that have been designed
to contribute to student success. Specific policies and resources are listed at
http://www.ucmo.edu/ced/syllabus/policies.cfm
Assignments:
Assignments will consist of online reading assignments, projects that reinforce class
concepts, and hands-on activities. There is one group assignment. Late work WILL
NOT be accepted unless arrangements have been made with the instructor BEFORE
the due date.
Honesty:
University policy deals severely with students caught cheating, copying papers or
programs, or participating in dishonest behavior. Plagiarism is a form of cheating.
It is claiming a thought or idea as your own when it was actually set forth by
someone else. In a paper or presentation, it is assumed that all information
originated with you unless you state otherwise through appropriate citations,
identifying the author, title and publication information using the appropriate
citation method [APA].
If a student is suspected of dishonesty, a meeting with the instructor will be
scheduled. Responses to such an offense may include a zero on the assignment or
test, a grade of “F” in the course, or recommendation for removal from the degree
program. All instances of dishonesty will be reported to the Vice President for
Student Affairs. For more information see the University Calendar/Handbook.
ADA & Other Assistance:
If you need an accommodation for a physical or learning disability that makes it
difficult for you to carry out the work as outlined, please notify me as soon as
possible. The Office of Accessibility is a resource on campus located in Union 220,
(Voice or TTY) 660-543-4421.
Early Alert:
As part of CTE department’s commitment to building a positive, student-centered
learning community that supports the success of every student, the faculty member
instructing this course participates in the UCM Early Alert Program.
Mailing List:
Each Student is expected to subscribe to the listserv maintained by the department.
Important information may be missed by students who are not subscribed to this
listserv. For more information see
http://www.ucmo.edu/cte/programs/edtech/listserv.cfm.
Library Services:
Get Help at your library! You may review and renew things you have checked out,
search the online catalog, and access electronic articles through the databases
available through the library. For more information, contact the reference desk
Phone: (660) 543-4154
AIM: JCKLReference
Email: reference@libserv.ucmo.edu
RefChat: http://library.ucmo.edu/chat
Course Calendar
-Subject to modification with notificationDate
8/17
8/24
Activity
Introductions
The ambiguous assignment
“What’s Wrong” understanding issues of
-Hardware failures
-Software problems
-Training Issues
-Policies and legal requirements
Points
17
17
Date
8/31
Points
10/5
Activity
Mobile Devices
Will personal computing devices replace campus labs
Inside the Box: Hardware
Operating Systems
=Evaluate eresource
Operating Systems Continued
Comparison of OS
Installing Software
=Eresources assignment
Evaluating Help
10/12
Networking Basics
17
10/19
Networking Continued
17
10/26
Cloud Computing
=Networking Assignment
Legal Issues: Copyright & Security
Legal Issues: Privacy and Surveillance
=Create Eresource
Virtual Troubleshooting
17
100
17
17
100
17
Legal Project
200
It’s a New Game
Evolving technology in the Classroom
Lab Proposal
Final Reflection
17
9/7
9/14
9/21
9/28
11/2
11/9
11/16
Break
[11/2327]
11/30
12/7
17
17
17
100
17
17
100
17
200
200