Texas A&M University-Commerce
Department of Secondary and Higher Education

ETEC 525
Internet Applications for Education and Training

Syllabus
 

Course Description

A study of Internet applications for teaching training, with an emphasis on online research activities and the development of effective computer-mediated-communication methods to facilitate online learning communities.  Methods of accessing, obtaining, managing and utilizing information from a variety of sources will be explored, as will the evaluation of online materials.

Practical Description

The prevalent means of providing and acquiring information on the internet is through the use of the World Wide Web and its associated set of materials made available by Hyper-Text Markup Language.  The focus of this course will be centered on the vehicles through which on-line information is made available; namely, web creation and management applications.  This course will guide students through activities of webpage creation and develop site design and management skills using Microsoft FrontPage.  Students will be required to exercise computer attack skills. 

Prerequisite

ETEC 524 or permission of instructor.

Textbook:

There is no specific book required for this course.  Built-in software help files and other on-line resources will be utilized.  The class will be doing projects in Netscape Composer and Microsoft FrontPage; so, if you run across any cheap books at a discount computer book store you might pick-up one or two just for reference.  For the money a new book would cost you can acquire a shelf full of more useful resources.

Resources:
 

Software:

Students must have access to Microsoft FrontPage 2000 or higher.  Instruction is based on Front Page 2003.  Students’ personal home computers may be used or students may use available labs on the University Campuses to access computers with the required software.  Microsoft FrontPage is packaged with the Professional version of Microsoft Office or as a standalone application.  Personal purchase of this package is not required as it is readily available for student use in multiple labs on both the Commerce and Mesquite campuses and at many school districts which individual students may have regular access to as faculty.

Webspace:

Students will need to acquire webspace on which FrontPage webs can be uploaded and maintained.  The preferred provider for this project is TriPod.  TriPod offers free webspace that supports FrontPage extensions with sufficient memory and bandwidth allowances.  Note:  Pre-existing webpages may not be used to satisfy the requirements of this course. (see “Scholarly Expectations” below.)

Course Goals and Objectives

            Upon completion to this course, the learner should be able to…

1.      determine an appropriate web authoring application based on size and scope of the project.
2.      demonstrate an understanding of site structure and planning.
3.      layout and create a website using Microsoft FrontPage.
4.      use the basic features of FrontPage to create webpages with commonly used page elements.
5.      use advanced features of FrontPage, such as shared borders, to create cohesive pages on a site.
6.      recognize variations in browser interpretation of html code and implement programming strategies for maximum portability.
7.      identify factors effecting viewability of pages and imbedded graphics and implement appropriate coding to achieve most desirable results.
8.      demonstrate the ability to incorporate standard and non-standard file types into webpages.
9.    demonstrate the ability to merge existing pages into a FrontPage web.
10.   provide internal and external links in a webpage.
11.   embed media components in a webpage.
12.   create and edit tables in a webpage.
13.   recognize the need to avoid the use of frames on webpages.
14.   recognize accessibility guidelines for compliance set forth by the ADA.
15.   utilize a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) list and Q&A Forum to seek answers to common questions.

Requirements and Assignments

Q&A (Question & Answer) Forum – 30%:  Students are required to post all “how-to” questions to the Q&A Forum rather than addressing them directly to the instructor.  The instructor will monitor the Forum and if a satisfactory answer is not provided by other students with a reasonable time, the instructor will contribute.  Students will be given first opportunity to earn response credit.  Credits will not be earned by submitting calls for program assistance to the instructor prior to posting a request to the Q&A Forum  Questions may also be posed by the instructor to allow students to address particular issues.  Each student must post a minimum of four (4) questions to the Q&A Forum during the semester.  Each student must respond to a minimum of eight (8) questions during the semester.  Questions must be specific and clearly posed, and responses must be well thought out, informative, and helpful to receive full credit.  Participation MUST be spread throughout the semester.  Forum postings during last week will receive half credit. (Important:  Posting the minimum required number of questions and responses in the last week WILL result in a letter grade reduction!!!)  The FAQ must be consulted for answers prior to postings.  Questions posted that are already answered in the FAQ will not earn question credit.

Microsoft FrontPage Project – 60%:  All students must design and build a multi-page website using Microsoft FrontPage in accordance with the project guidelines and requirements.  Details will be forthcoming.

Project Evaluations – 10%:  Each student must provide a comprehensive evaluation of two other FrontPage projects.  Each project must be evaluated by two (2) classmates.  Evaluation assignments will be announced.  Additional information regarding assessment criteria will be forthcoming.

Projects and assignments MUST be completed and submitted by due date.  Full credit cannot be earned by late or incomplete assignments.   Assignments lose up to 5% of their possible value each hour late if submitted after the posted due date/time.    (e.g. Assignments can lose all of their value at 20 hours past due.)

Late submissions may be rejected at the instructor’s discretion. One student will not be permitted to hold up the progress of the entire class.  (Due notice will be given prior to the acceptance cutoff.)

Evaluation and Grading

Attendance

As this is an on-line class with no regularly scheduled meeting, following the initial face-to-face meeting, attendance is equated to regular active participation and appropriate progress toward timely project completion.

Accommodations for Disabilities

Students requesting accommodations for disabilities must go through the Academic Support Committee.  For more information, please contact the Director of Disability Resources & Services, Halladay Student Services Bldg., Room 303D, 903-886-5835 or 903-886-5150.

Student Conduct

All students enrolled at the University shall follow the tenets of common decency and acceptable behavior conductive to a positive learning environment  (see Student’s Guide Handbook, Policies and Procedures, Conduct). 

Scholarly Expectations

All works submitted for credit must be original works created by the scholar uniquely for the class.  Plagiarism:  Using works created by others without proper citation is not tolerated and may result in expulsion from the course and the graduate program.  Auto-plagiarism:  It is considered inappropriate and unethical, particularly at the graduate level, to make duplicate submissions of a single work for credit in multiple classes, unless specifically requested by the instructor.  Works submitted are subject to submission to TurnItIn, or other similar services, to verify the absence of plagiarism.  Work submitted at the Graduate level is expected to demonstrate higher order thinking skills and be of significantly higher quality than work produced at the undergraduate level.  Writings must exhibit correct form, style, and grammar and demonstrate the student’s ability to communicate clearly and effectively in the English language. (Also see Student’s Guide Handbook, Policies and Procedures.)

Additional References

Shelly, G.B., Cashman, T.J., & Mick, M.L. (2002) Microsoft FrontPage 2002 - Complete Concepts and Techniques,  Boston, MA: Course Technology-Thomson Learning
 

Rev. 07/07/2007