Harvard
Graduate School of
Education
T534:
Children, Reading, Writing, & Computers
Fall 2001
Instructor: Julie
Wood
Thursday, 4-7 p.m.
General Course Description
This course is primarily designed to meet the needs of students enrolled in the Technology in Education and Language & Literacy programs. The course provides hands-on experience in integrating educational technologies into reading and language arts curricula.
Course Content
Many children are at risk of school failure because of the difficulties they experience in learning to read and write. Research indicates that children who struggle with literacy skills in the early years seldom catch up to their peers in subsequent grades. Thus, the consequences of a slow start in literacy can have a profound and lasting impact on a child's academic career.
The thesis of this course is that educational technologies, when used thoughtfully, can be one of our strongest allies in helping students become proficient readers and writers, beginning in the early grades. The course is designed to help students conduct in-depth analyses of innovative educational technologies and their potential to redefine literacy learning. Topics include teaching phonics, increasing vocabulary, conducting cross-cultural exchanges, and developing research skills using a range of content area texts. Specifically, students will examine the ways in which media-based tools, such as electronic books, desktop publishing software, and Internet resources, can support reading and language arts curricula for all types of learners.
The course requirements include weekly readings, several short written assignments culminating in a final paper and presentation, active participation in class discussions, and involvement in lab. In addition, students will be expected to play an active role in class by formally facilitating discussions: a) in the lecture classes; b) in an online forum with classmates; c) in Lab sessions; and d) via email exchanges with experts in the field who have agreed to respond to student comments and questions.
Students are also required to check their email messages daily and log on to the course Web site several times per week.
No technical experience is required. Students with questions about the course are invited to preview the Web site prior to the first class.
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