Office Hours: Tuesday 9-11 AM, Thursday 2-4 PM, and by appointment

Course Description The purpose of this course is to assist teachers and teachers-in-training in learning how to create use and evaluate media presentations effectively to enrich the learning of reading and language arts in school settings. A wide variety of media and media research will be covered. The emphasis of this course will be on the use of video technology in the classroom. An introduction to digital video techniques will be part of the course also. This course content will include:

1) research findings pertaining to the use and evaluation of instructional technology.

2) analysis of effective uses of instructional technology in language arts.

3) development of instructional modules for the reading/ language arts curriculum.

Course Objectives

Students will:

1) understand basic research findings in the field.

2) locate, examine, and evaluate currently available educational media material.

3) determine reading/language arts tasks which are appropriate for media.

4) plan and produce a reading/language arts teaching module.

Course Format

This course will have a lecture, discussion, workshop format with a library or field research component. After basic instruction in video production as needed, students will independently produce or adapt instruction modules. Student projects and research will be shared with the class. The instructor will work individually with students and help in the production and editing of any instructional modules.

Major assignments

1. Annotated bibliography (APA style) Select ten current -1992 or later- journal articles related to educational media technology. Give the citation and a paragraph or two in summary of questions, methodology, findings, and implications therein.

2. Submit a Video Activity tape. A five-minute video (VHS) production of your own, based on assigned activities.

3. Produce a videotape for use in the classroom as part of a literacy module for any grade level you choose. A storyboard, script or script outline, video log, edit list, as well as your final production on videotape (VHS) should be a part of your presentation.

4. Critique several examples of educational media material. Give your rationale and basis for evaluation.

Grading Policy Fulfillment of all the requirements on time will earn a "B". For an "A grade, students must show extra attention and productivity. The mid-term and final video projects you create will be evaluated by the instructor against the effective use of the media discussed in class and handouts. Your final course grade will be based on these evaluations. Annotated bibliographies and critiques will be on a pass/failbasis only, but must be completed in order to receive full credit for your video projects.

Attendance Policy Attendance is required, as is punctuality. If your video projects should necessitate your missing class, notify the instructor prior to class.

Textbooks (There will be additional readings assigned)

Beach, Richard (2008) teachingmedialiteracy.com: A Web-linked Guide to Resources and Activities. New York: Teacher's College Press.

Goodman, Steven (2003) Teaching Youth Media: A critical guide to literacy, video production and social change. NYC: Teachers College Press.

Counts, E. L., (2004). Multimedia Design and Production for Students and Teachers. Boston MA: Allyn & Bacon.

Final exam: Check official University schedule [tba]

Please see attached LRC Statement of Principles

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