MEDT 8461 N01 Spring 2015

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Diffusions of Innovation MEDT 8461
Semester/Year

Spring 2015

Time/Location

Online (Mixed Synchronous & Asynchronous Format)

Instructor

Professor Danilo M. Baylen

Office Location

Education Annex 152

Department of Educational Technology & Foundations
University of West Georgia, 1601 Maple Street, Carrollton, GA 30118

Office Hours

By appointment using phone or web conferencing application

Online Hours

By appointment using phone or web conferencing application

Telephone

Direct Line: (678) 839-6130

Department Line: (678) 839-5259

Email

Use D2L email first before the university account: [email protected]

Online Support

Course Learning Management System (D2L)

https://westga.view.usg.edu
D2L UWG Online Help
http://uwgonline.westga.edu/students.php
D2L 24-Hour Help
https://d2lhelp.view.usg.edu
UWG Distance Learning
http://uwgonline.westga.edu
Distance Learning Library Services
http://libguides.westga.edu/content.php?pid=194430
Resources for Distance & Off-campus Students
http://libguides.westga.edu/content.php?pid=194459
Course Site (Organic Syllabus)
The URL is posted in the announcement section in CourseDen after
logging in. This is always the most updated version of the course syllabus.
Information Technology Services (ITS)
Supports MyUWG, email, Banweb, & Campus Internet Connectivity
(678) 839-6587 / [email protected]

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Student Information Technology Services (SITS)
Free service to UWG students to help in finding solutions to
software and/or hardware problems with personal computers.
(678) 839-5067 / [email protected]
Ingram Library
(678) 839-6495 / http://www.westga.edu/library/
Accessibility Services
(678) 839-6428 / [email protected]
COURSE DESCRIPTION
(No prerequisites) The course focuses on the processes of innovation and change as they apply to
educational systems. Students learn how to apply change models and diffusion theory in order to
successfully integrate technology-driven procedures and resources into classrooms and schools.
COE Vision
The College of Education at the University of West Georgia will be recognized for Leading a
New World of Learning, with relevant and innovative programs that contribute to educational
improvement and the betterment of society.
COE Mission
Locally connected and globally relevant, the Mission of the College of Education is to prepare
graduates for meaningful careers in diverse settings. Spanning undergraduate through doctoral
study, we are committed to depth of knowledge and excellence in teaching, professional practice,
and applied research.
The vision and mission of the College of Education at UWG forms the basis on which programs,
courses, experiences, and outcomes are created. National and state standards (ISTE, AECT,
ALA, AASL, etc.) are incorporated as criteria against which candidates are measured. This
courses objectives, activities, and assignments are related directly to the appropriate standards,
as identified below.
APPROACHES TO INSTRUCTION
The pedagogical methods used to teach this course will include lecture, discussion, small and large
group work, journal articles, handouts, learning management system technology, webconferencing
technology applications, and when appropriate and available guest speakers. To an extent, the class
will be taught using interactive approaches. Students are expected to be well prepared for online
meetings and have read the assigned readings. They are should be ready to ask questions on any
assigned material that they do not understand.
Each major assignment contributes to the development of the next one. This form of scaffolding
strategy ensures that students have the appropriate foundations in acquiring and retaining the
appropriate knowledge and skills in order to meet the stated course objectives.

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This course will be delivered approximately 100% online. This requires the online equivalent of
2,250 minutes of instruction (seat-time) and an additional 4,500 minutes of supporting activities.
As such, students will be required to complete the following online activities during this course:

Activity
Participating in Online
Discussion Sessions

Estimated
Number of
Session

# of
Minutes

60 minutes
180
minutes
180
minutes
180
minutes
180
minutes
180
minutes
180
minutes

Completing Project 1
Completing Project 2
Completing Project 3
Completing Project 4
Completing Project 5
Completing Project 6
(Presentation)
Completing
Assessment Activities
Completing Project
Peer Reviews
Completing All
Exercises
Participating in Virtual
Classroom Sessions

Professionalism

2
6

75 minutes

180 minutes
180 minutes
180 minutes
180 minutes
180 minutes
180 minutes
150 minutes

Estimated
Additional
Minutes
720
360
360
360
360
360
360

300

Accounted for in Completing the Projects

10
30 minutes
(Estimate)
2

Estimated
Instructional
Equivalent to
Seat Time
360 minutes

180
minutes

300 minutes

360 minutes

600

720

For this course, the professor will deduct a maximum of 15 points for
unprofessionalism (in addition to the total points) demonstrated in the
students virtual social interaction and class participation that includes
belligerent or uncooperative behaviors, plagiarism, tardiness in
discussion participation and assignments/exercises submission, and
non-collaborative or non-responsive behaviors in group or peer work
contexts.

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Additionally, it is anticipated that students will need to work independently for twice the number
minutes listed above to complete the online activities.
Students are expected to develop skills in managing multi-platform delivery applications. Given
this, students will access the course site for content, and the Learning Management System for
pass-word protected submission, online discussions, and assessment including feedback on
assignment completion. Most of the course content will be access through a faculty-developed
course site except for specific resources under the fair use guidelines. Finally, students will
access the library database to identify research literature to support class discussions and
assignments.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
Students will:
1. IDENTIFY the elements and personnel involved in diffusing an innovation into a social
system such as a school or a classroom (Havelock, 1995; Rogers, 1995) (Decision
Makers; Leaders; Lifelong Learners; Adaptive; Collaborative; Culturally Sensitive;
Empathetic; Knowledgeable; Proactive; Reflective; NBPTS 4a, 4b, 5b; ISTE/NTES-T IIb, II- e);
2. GIVE examples of innovation diffusion in various school systems and use diffusion
theory principles to explain why each was successful or unsuccessful (Carson & Smith,
1993; Havelock, 1995;Rogers, 1995, Saettler, 1992) (Decision Makers; Leaders; Lifelong
Learners; Adaptive; Collaborative; Culturally Sensitive; Empathetic; Knowledgeable;
Proactive; Reflective; NBPTS 4a, 4b, 5b; ISTE/NTES-T II-b, II- e);
3. COMPARE AND CONTRAST current models of diffusion discussed in the education
and social sciences literature (Havelock, 1995; Rogers,1995; Tenner, 1996; Valente,
1995) (Decision Makers; Leaders; Lifelong Learners; Adaptive; Collaborative; Culturally
Sensitive; Empathetic; Knowledgeable; Proactive; Reflective; NBPTS 4a, 4b, 5b;
ISTE/NTES-T II-b, II- e);
4. IDENTIFY characteristics of educators who are successful change agents (Havelock,
1995; Roblyer & Edwards, 2000; Rogers, 1995,Saettler, 1990) (Decision Makers;
Leaders; Lifelong Learners; Adaptive; Collaborative; Culturally Sensitive; Empathetic;
Knowledgeable; Proactive; Reflective; NBPTS 4a, 4b, 5b; ISTE/NTES-T II-b, II- e);
5. DEVELOP a plan for integrating an innovative technology successfully into a school or
district (Carson & Smith, 1993;Havelock, 1995; Rogers, 1995) (Decision Makers;
Leaders; Lifelong Learners; Adaptive; Collaborative; Culturally Sensitive; Empathetic;
Knowledgeable; Proactive; Reflective; NBPTS 4a, 4b, 5b; ISTE/NTES-T II-b, II- e).

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INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES
Required Text(s)

Gladwell, M. Tipping point. Boston: Pearson Education, Inc.

Rogers, E. M. (2003). Diffusion of innovations (5th Ed.) New York, NY: Free Press.
Ellsworth, J. B. (2000). Surviving change: A survey of educational change models. Syracuse,
NY: ERIC Clearing House on Information & Technology. (Please check with your professor
for the link)

Required Online APA Resource

Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL). Retrieved from https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/

Supplementary Text(s)

American Psychological Association. Publication manual of the American Psychological

Association (6th Ed.)

Several digital resources will be provided by your professor.

Required Instructional Resource

TK20 Subscription -- These are available at the University Bookstore or at

http://westga.tk20.com/campustoolshighered/start.do
If you have purchased a subscription previously, DO NOT re-subscribe. For more
information about this resource, see http://www.westga.edu/coe/index_550.php. For
assistance, please email [email protected].

Other Resources

Flash or thumb drive (at least 1 GB)

Office 2007 (it is your responsibility to let the instructor know if you dont have access to it
at home or your workplace)
High Speed Internet Access
Software Applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Audacity, Moviemaker)
Headset (Microphone with Headphone) -- Required
Digital Camera
Webcam
Scanner

LEARNING ACTIVITIES
The table below outlines the various instructional activities that will support student learning in
this course.

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Completion
Accountability
Individual
Individual
Individual
Individual
Individual
Individual
Individual
Individual
Individual

Project Title
Project 1 (Course Objectives 1, 2, 3, 4)
Project 2 (Course Objectives 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
Project 3 (Course Objectives 1, 2, 3, 4)
Project 4 (Course Objectives 1, 2, 3, 4)
Project 5 (Course Objectives 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
Project 6 (Course Objectives 1, 2, 3, 4)
Online Discussion (1-6) (Course Objectives 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
All Assessments (Course Objectives 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
All Interactive Exercises (Course Objectives 1, 2, 3, 4)
ASSESSMENT OF LEARNING
Evaluation Procedures
Item

Actual Points
Earned

Project 1

100

Project 2

100

Project 3

100

Project 4

100

Project 5

100

Project 6 Presentation

100

Online Discussion 16
Assessments
(Pre/Post) + Peer
Reviews
Interactive Exercises

180

Assessment Tools
Rubric based on
Instructions
Rubric based on
Instructions
Rubric based on
Instructions
Rubric based on
Instructions
Rubric based on
Instructions
Rubric based on
Instructions
Rubric based on
Instructions

150

Rubric based on
Instructions

100
(Estimate)

Completion
Rubric based on
Instructions

Weight

Final Points

20%
(P1+P2+P3)

60

30%
(P4+P5)
10%

60

25%

45

10%

15

5%

5
(Estimate)

10

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Professionalism

As appropriate given that every

unprofessional behavior will merit a
point deduction up to a total of 15.

TOTAL

195

For this course, students must attempt all projects in order to qualify for a grade. If you
missed completing and submitting a project in the designated drop box, you will receive a failing
grade. Remember that earning an F or two grades of C in your graduate courses will
result to a suspension in the following term.
If you are enrolled in one of the IT Certification courses (7464, 7468, 7476, or 7490), then nonsubmission or incomplete submission of required TK20 artifacts will result in a failing
grade. Please contact the TK20 Coordinator or your professor if you have questions regarding
this.
Grading
Actual Points Earned X Weight (%) = Final Points
195

= Percentage Points

There will be no rounding off. Everything will be accounted for up to two spaces after the
decimal point. The percentage point equivalent to a letter grade is shown below:
A
100 - 90

B
89.99 80%

C
79.99 - 70%

F
Below 70%

No rounding off to whole numbers after final computation.

COURSE SCHEDULE
You can access the link to the course schedule that is posted in the announcement section in
CourseDen. Please bookmark the URL for your easy access later. Remember that this course
schedule may change given unpredictable circumstances beyond your professor's control.
COURSE POLICIES
Academic Honesty
All work completed in this course must be original work developed this semester. Students are
expected to adhere to the highest standards of academic honesty. Plagiarism occurs when a
student uses or purchases ghostwritten papers. It also occurs when a student utilizes ideas or
information obtained from another person without giving credit to that person.
All paper components of a project will be submitted to Turnitin.com for similarity index check.
If plagiarism or another act of academic dishonesty occurs, it will be dealt with in accordance

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with the academic misconduct policy as stated in the latest Student Handbook and the Graduate
Catalog.
Virtual Classroom Attendance & Active Participation
Students are highly encouraged to attend and participate in the scheduled Virtual Classroom
sessions. Participation points can be earned once the end-of-session surveys are completed
within the timeline. Virtual Classroom surveys will be available and accessible the day after the
completed virtual session.
Accessibility
All students are provided with equal access to classes and materials, regardless of special needs,
temporary or permanent disability, special needs related to pregnancy, etc. If you have any
special learning needs, particularly (but not limited to) needs defined under the Americans with
Disabilities Act, and require specific accommodations, please do not hesitate to make those
known, either yourself or through the Coordinator of Accessibility Services.
Students with documented special needs may expect accommodation in relation to classroom
accessibility, modification of testing, special test administration, etc. For more information,
please contact Accessibility Services at the University of West Georgia:
http://www.westga.edu/studentDev/index_8884.php.
Any student with a disability documented through Student Services is encouraged to contact the
instructor right away so that appropriate accommodations may be arranged. In addition, certain
accommodations (which will be discussed in class) are available to all students, within
constraints of time and space.
Extra Credit
At this time, no extra credit will be given out in this course for the term.
Late Work
For projects, exercises and assessments, late submission will NOT be accepted. Further, if an
assignment is NOT posted in the designated submission area, then it is considered a LATE
submission.
There is no make up for missed online discussions. The first two initial postings need to be
completed within the set timeline of the online discussion. If this is not followed, then partial or
no points will be awarded for the whole discussion. Finally, be aware that you will be able to see
your peers postings once you have made your own initial posting.
Professional Conduct
Students are expected to behave professionally in communicating, collaborating, and consulting
with other students and the professor. Any behavior that is perceived to be disrespectful and
unprofessional will be dealt with accordingly based on rules and policies pertaining to
appropriate student conduct at this university.

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Student Email Policy
The official email policy is contained in the link to the Common Language for Course Syllabi located on
the Provosts website. University of West Georgia students are provided a MyUWG email account,

which is the official means of communication between the University and student. It is the
students responsibility to check this email account for important University related information.
Once the semester starts, all course-related communication should be sent through the email
feature of the learning management system (D2L).
UWG Cares
If you or someone you know is in a distressing situation, support is available at
http://www.westga.edu/UWGCares/ The website contains access to helpful resources and phone
numbers related to emergency or crisis situations and safety concerns, medical concerns,
multicultural, psychological and personal issues and interpersonal conflict.
Course-Specific Deductions
Not following submission protocol
Not following writing protocol
Completing the first one or two initial postings after the first five days of the start of
discussion
Incorrect in-text citation using APA format
More than three quotes from other sources as part of an in-text citation (only 3 quotes are
allowed) in your paper assignments unless specified otherwise by your professor
Copying multiple sentences or paragraph and representing it as a quote and accompanied by
an APA citation
Incorrect reference citation using APA format
Submission in an incorrect place or drop box