U.S. History Disclosure Document

Instructor Information

Instructor: Michelle Olson
Phone: 801.682.9063
Email: michelleolson23@gmail.com

Course Description and Purpose

This course is designed to contribute to the aims of a BYU education by preparing you for lifelong learning and service as a teacher by developing knowledge and skills related to the use of technology inside and outside of the classroom. Although there is some technology training in this course, U.S. History is primarily concerned with methods of integrating technology into education. Most of the goals for this course are related to the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers(NETS-T). Other goals relate to the aims of a BYU education. We hope that your testimony will be strengthened as you gain the skills to act on the suggestions given in Elder Ballard’s recent article, “Sharing the Gospel Using the Internet”. You will build your character as you participate in planning your own learning and exercise integrity in following both the letter and the spirit of copyright and fair use laws. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to enlarge your intellect as you use higher order thinking skills to synthesize different techniques and technologies to create innovative and effective lessons for your future students.
Prerequisites

Before entering this class you should have completed the McKay School of Education Technology Skills Assessment. For most of you this is a prerequisite to being admitted into a teaching program. This performance assessment assures that you enter your program with a set of baseline technology skills. In U.S. History we assume that you have learned these baseline skills, and focus on helping you use them effectively in your teaching. Additionally, you must be majoring in secondary education.

Required Materials

Textbook: There is no textbook required for this course.
Hardware: You should access to a computer

Course Learning Outcomes

These Outcomes are taken from the NETS-T.
OUTCOME 1: Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity
OUTCOME 2: Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments
OUTCOME 3: Model Digital-Age Work and Learning
OUTCOME 4: Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility
OUTCOME 5: Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership

Course Policies and Procedures

Participation

You are required to participate and be in class every week. Participation varies depending on which section you are in. See the “Activities and Assignments” section for more information.
Being Absent

We’ll divide this into two separate types of absenteeism.

§  If you are absent because of a planned reason, contact me before hand to determine how to make up for the class.

§  If you are absent for some unforeseen reason or illness, let me know as soon as possible to determine how to make up the missed class.

If you are sick, DO NOT COME TO CLASS. We don’t want you to make everyone else sick.

Late Work

I want you do your work, even if it is late. However, there is value in completing assignments on time. I’m not going to articulate any policy on late work, but I do reserve the right to lower your grade if you become consistently late on your assignments. If it is late I will usually reduce your final grade 10% per day late. 

Activities and Assignments

Class Discussion/Activities (1 hour/week)

These are learning tasks that we do in class. If you don’t come to class, you can’t do the activity. If you have a laptop, bring it. I’ll bring a laptop cart to class each week. Everyone should have access to a computer so that we can do the activities together.

Assignments

The assignments are designed to extend your learning outside of class. You will have several different tasks to perform. Assignments will be given each week in class.

Projects

In addition to weekly activities and assignments, you will do three projects for this course. These projects will be listed with the weekly assignments along with their due dates.

Grading

Your grade will be broken down as follows:
15% – Class Discussion/Activities
15% – Weekly Assignments
20%– Internet Communications Project (website)
20% – Multimedia Project (video)
20% – Content Specific Project
10% – Final

Final grades will be calculated with the following percentages.
A (94-100)
A- (90-93)
B+ (87-89)
B (83-86)
B- (80-82)
C+ (77-79)
C (73-76)
C- (70-72)
F (0-69)

University and College Policies

Honor Code Standards

In keeping with the principles of the BYU Honor Code, students are expected to be honest in all of their academic work. Academic honesty means, most fundamentally, that any work you present as your own must in fact be your own work and not that of another. Violations of this principle may result in a failing grade in the course and additional disciplinary action by the university. Students are also expected to adhere to the Dress and Grooming Standards. Adherence demonstrates respect for yourself and others and ensures an effective learning and working environment. It is the university’s expectation, and my own expectation in class, that each student will abide by all Honor Code standards. Please call the Honor Code Office at 422-2847 if you have questions about those standards.

Preventing Sexual Harassment

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits sex discrimination against any participant in an educational program or activity that receives federal funds. The act is intended to eliminate sex discrimination in education. Title IX covers discrimination in programs, admissions, activities, and student-to-student sexual harassment. BYU’s policy against sexual harassment extends not only to employees of the university, but to students as well. If you encounter unlawful sexual harassment or gender-based discrimination, please talk to your professor; contact the Equal Employment Office at 422-5895 or 367-5689 (24-hours); or contact the Honor Code Office at 422-2847.

Students with Disabilities

Brigham Young University is committed to providing a working and learning atmosphere that reasonably accommodates qualified persons with disabilities. If you have any disability which may impair your ability to complete this course successfully, please contact the Services for Students with Disabilities Office (422-2767). Reasonable academic accommodations are reviewed for all students who have qualified, documented disabilities. Services are coordinated with the student and instructor by the SSD Office. If you need assistance or if you feel you have been unlawfully discriminated against on the basis of disability, you may seek resolution through established grievance policy and procedures by contacting the Equal Employment Office at 422-5895, D-285 ASB.

Diversity

The David O. McKay School of Education and Brigham Young University are committed to preparing students to serve effectively in a diverse society. In this course students will learn methods and material that may be adapted to various settings and contexts. Students are expected to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to effectively apply the course content when working with individuals and groups with varying abilities and with diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds.