Human Issues In Instructional Technology

Catalog description

This course serves the needs of instructional technology professionals in K-12, higher education, and industrial/business settings to understand the social, legal, and human issues surrounding education and technology in today’s world. This includes understanding assistive technologies for helping individuals with disabilities, human interface design for creation of websites and other software, information security, and the social and legal concerns over copyright and privacy that have emerged in the Information Age. Course may be offered in classroom-based, distance or hybrid formats. Prerequisites: EDCI 56000 within the past five years or completion of the MYTarget2 Assessment, http://mytarget.iassessment.org and an interview with the IT program coordinator. Permission of department required. Typically offered Fall Spring Summer. Course Learning Outcomes 1. Describe how an individual’s skills, usage time, attitudes, and access to technology can create a “digital divide” for them that may stand as an obstacle to technology-assisted learning. 2. Explain how the law protects the rights of individuals when using and sharing information over the Internet. 3. Identify the major components of and protections offered by the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. 4. Identify the nature of computer viruses, spyware, and other “malware,” including how these programs are distributed and how they work. 5. Identify and utilize security programs such as Norton System Works and other tools to avoid viruses and other “malware”. 6. Identify, compare, and contrast different assistive technologies, including hardware devices, software, and web page development guidelines that can be used to help individuals with a variety of disabilities (limited eyesight, limited hearing, limited mobility, and learning disabilities). 7. Describe some of the ways in which people use the Internet for personal hobbies and entertainment, as well as how these activities fit into the goals of businesses, schools, or universities. 8. Define the concept of an AUP (Acceptable Use Policy) and distinguish between what components such a policy should and should not have in corporate or academic environments. 9. Analyze ways in which learning spaces can be designed to accommodate all learners. 10. Analyze how educators and trainers can facilitate learning that considers the needs and characteristics of the learners first, above all other considerations. 11. Conceptualize and design a complete learning space environment that incorporates research based practice. View Class Schedule