Teachers Discovering And Integrating Microsoft Office

Course Description
This course is an introductory/intermediate graduate level computer course for educators. It is designed for those new to computers, as well as those who want to learn more about how Microsoft Office software applications can be integrated effectively into the classroom. Teachers Discovering and Integrating Microsoft Office is designed to provide teachers with the necessary skills to successfully use Microsoft Office 2000/XP/2003/2003 as a powerful integration tool. Participants will learn to effectively integrate this software suite into their specific classroom curriculum to enhance student learning. Educators will increase their ability to use and effectively integrate the word processing, spreadsheet, database, and presentation tools of Microsoft Office 2000/XP/2003. Educators will finish the course with a strong understanding of the difference between using Microsoft Office as a productivity tool and as an integration tool.

Participants will finish the course with a strong understanding of how to use and effectively integrate the Microsoft Office suite. Participants also will learn how to access the vast array of educational resources available on the World Wide Web and how to integrate Microsoft Office and educational technology into their classroom-specific curriculum, increasing their integration literacy skills. Participants will gather ideas for integrating Microsoft Office and technology across the curriculum. In addition, participants will learn about assessment in the technology-enriched classroom. Students will review and analyze relevant and current research dealing with the use and impact of educational technology in the school setting. Students will develop critical thinking, analysis, and synthesis skills concerning the integration of technology into their specific curricular area. Finally, they will learn how to integrate technology in any curriculum area effectively so it has a positive impact on student learning.

Objectives
Educators will develop the ability to integrate Microsoft Office and technology across the curriculum by:
• Increasing their understanding of computers, networking, the Internet and the World Wide Web as they relate to K-12 education
• Understanding the important components authentic assessment
• Gaining an understanding of the fundamentals of Microsoft Office 2000/XP/2003 software suite
• Examining practical examples of using and integrating Microsoft Office in the classroom curriculum
• Creating projects that can be utilized in their classroom curriculum
• Developing a sense of how to integrate Office 2000/XP/2003 software suite into a specific classroom curriculum
• Increasing Internet and World Wide Web skills
• Becoming proficient in techniques involved in developing instructional materials in various formats
• Learning how to plan appropriate applications of Microsoft Office to specific instructional situations and to select or design and develop materials using Microsoft Office

Time Requirements
This course will be offered over a 13-week period and is a 45 hour 3 credit graduate course. Modules will be completed one per week.

Hardware & Computer Skills Requirements
Students may use either a Macintosh computer or PC with Windows 98 or higher. Students should possess basic word processing skills and have Internet access with an active e-mail account. Students must have access to either Microsoft Office 2000, XP, or 2003. Students also are expected to have a basic knowledge of how to use a Web browser, such as Netscape Navigator, Microsoft Internet Explorer, or America Online (AOL). Internet Explorer is the recommended browser for this course. To download a browser at no cost, visit one of the following Web sites – Netscape.com; Microsoft.com and AOL.com.

Course Materials
The required textbook for this course is Teachers Discovering and Integrating Microsoft Office Essential Concepts and Techniques by Shelly, G.; Cashman, T.; Gunter, R., & Gunter. G. (2003). Included with the textbook is the Microsoft Teaching and Learning with Microsoft Office set of two CDs. The textbook, CDs, course materials, and an extensive Recommended Reading List will be provided for all students. In addition, online readings and Web site reviews (including journal articles and best practices from the body of educational research) will be assigned during the course to enhance learning. These readings will be presented as annotated Web sites within the course content.

Session Outline
Module 1: Introduction to Microsoft Office
Objective: Students will become familiar with the textbook, the textbook Web site, the Teaching & Learning CD ROMs, the features of Microsoft Office, and its resources.
Contents:
  1. Introduction to Microsoft Office
       • Accessibility Features
       • Microsoft Office XP
       • Microsoft Office 2000/XP/2003
  2. Using Different Versions of Microsoft Windows
  3. Microsoft Office as a Productivity Tool
  4. Microsoft Office as a Classroom Integration Tool
Culminating Assignment: Write a 200-300 word reflection of the required reading focusing on what you learned and a 25 word reflection on each assigned Web site, research article, best practice, lab, or tutorial. Also, discuss how educators can use e-mail to further open the lines of communication between the classroom and home.

Module 2: Using Microsoft Word Help
Objective: Students will apply their knowledge to create an integration-related project. Students will become familiar with the features of and using Microsoft Help.
Contents:
  1. Using the Microsoft Office Help System
       • Using the Office Assistant
       • Using Online Help
  2. The Microsoft Word Help Window
  3. Finding Answers: Strategies and Techniques
  4. Curriculum Integration: Research and Results
  5. Effective Integration Strategies
  6. Web Resources
Culminating Assignment: Write a 100 - 200 word reflection on the supplemental information provided in this module and a 25 word reflection on each Web site, research article or best practice, lab, and tutorial. Discuss new ideas and significant insights and how this information can be used to support classroom integration of Microsoft Word.

Module 3: Creating and Editing a Microsoft Word Document
Objective: Students will demonstrate proficiency using basic word processing skills to create a formatted document with clip art that can be utilized in their curriculum. Students will explore at least one method of integrating Microsoft Word into their specific classroom situation or job area.
Contents:
  1. Introduction to Microsoft Word
  2. Creating a Formatted Document and Customizing Word
  3. Changing the Default Formatting Settings
  4. Formatting Paragraphs and Characters in a Document
  5. Inserting Clip Art
  6. Integrating Documents with Clip Art into the Curriculum
  7. Web Resources
Culminating Assignment: Complete Project 1 in the textbook. Then, create a formatted document with clip art that you can use in your classroom curriculum or as an example of a project students will complete. In addition, write a 200 to 300 word reflection on the supplemental information provided in this module and a 25 word reflection on each Web site, research article or best practice, lab, and tutorial. Discuss new ideas and significant insights and how this information can be used to support classroom integration of Microsoft Word.

Module 4: Microsoft Word Enhanced Formatting
Objective: Students will learn advanced formatting features of Microsoft Word. Students will create letterhead using WordArt. Students will also insert a header and footer, add a border, and a floating graphic to the letterhead. Students will explore ways of integrating enhanced formatting techniques into their specific classroom curriculum or job area.
Contents:
  1. Understanding Enhanced Formatting
       • Headers and Footers
       • WordArt
       • Floating Graphics
       • Bullet Lists
       • Tables
  2. Enhanced Formatting as a Productivity Tool
  3. Enhanced Formatting as an Integration Tool
Culminating Assignment: Create a personal letterhead using WordArt. Include a header and footer on the document, a border, bullet list, and table. In addition, write a 100 - 200 word reflection on the supplemental information provided in this module and a 25 word reflection on each Web site, research article or best practice, lab, and tutorial. Discuss new ideas and significant insights and how this information can be used to support classroom integration of Microsoft Word and the benefits of integrating enhanced formatting.

Module 5: Desktop Publishing and Microsoft Word
Objective: Students will understand the role desktop publishing plays in information literacy and apply knowledge of desktop publishing features in a classroom integration project.
Contents:
  1. Desktop Publishing
  2. Creating Newsletters
  3. Formatting
       • Columns
       • Drop Caps
       • Inserting Graphics with Wrapping Text
  4. Desktop Publishing as a Productivity Tool
  5. Desktop Publishing as an Integration Tool
Culminating Assignment: Create a one-page classroom newsletter with your students using the formatting techniques presented in the module. In addition, write a 100 - 200 word reflection on the supplemental information provided in this module and a 25-word reflection on each Web site, research article or best practice, lab, and tutorial. Discuss new ideas and significant insights and how this information can be used to support classroom integration of Microsoft Word and desktop publishing.

Module 6: Mail Merge and Microsoft Word
Objective: Participants will demonstrate the ability to create a simple mail merge using Microsoft Word. Students will understand mail merge as a productivity tool and as an integration tool. Students will apply their knowledge of mail merge by creating a classroom integration project.
Contents:
  1. Understanding Mail Merge
       • Wizards
       • Templates
       • Form Letters
       • Main Document and Data Source
       • Merge Fields
  2. Using Mail Merge in Teacher Productivity
  3. Curriculum Integration of Mail Merge
Culminating Assignment: Create a mail merge letter and data source to be used in the classroom or current job area. Write a 100 - 200 word reflection on the supplemental information provided in this module and a 25 word reflection on each Web site, research article or best practice, lab, and tutorial. Discuss new ideas and significant insights and how this information can be used to support classroom integration of Microsoft Word and mail merge.

Module 7: Office and the Web
Objective: Students will apply their knowledge of Word to create a classroom Web site consisting of three Web pages.
Contents:
  1. Designing a Classroom Web page
  2. Downloading Image Files
  3. Entering and Formatting Text
  4. Creating links to Web sites
  5. Entering E-mail Information and an E-mail Link
  6. Posting Your Classroom Web Page
Culminating Assignment: Create a curriculum specific classroom Web site consisting of three linked Web pages that support a technology enriched lesson plan tied to state standards and benchmarks. Write a 100 - 200 word reflection on the supplemental information provided in this module and a 25 word reflection on each Web site, research article or best practice, lab, and tutorial. Discuss new ideas and significant insights and how this information can be used to support classroom integration of Microsoft Word. Also discuss ways to integrate classroom-created Web pages.

Module 8: Microsoft PowerPoint: Using a Design Template and Text Slide Layout to Create a Presentation
Objective: Students will demonstrate proficiency creating, editing, saving, and printing a presentation using a Design Template and AutoLayouts. Students will explore integration strategies and techniques. Students will complete Microsoft PowerPoint Project 1 in the textbook and then create a presentation that can be integrated into their specific classroom curriculum or job area.
Contents:
  1. Introduction to Microsoft PowerPoint
       • PowerPoint as a Professional Tool
       • PowerPoint as an Integration Tool
  2. Choosing a Design Template
  3. Screen Design Techniques
  4. Text Attributes
  5. Using Help
  6. Curriculum Integration Ideas and Strategies
Culminating Assignment: Complete PowerPoint Project 1 in the textbook. Then, using the skills you have learned, create a presentation that can be integrated into your specific classroom curriculum or job area. Write a 100 - 200 word reflection on the supplemental information provided in this module and a 25 word reflection on each Web site, research article or best practice, lab, and tutorial. Discuss new ideas and significant insights and how this information can be used to support classroom integration of Microsoft PowerPoint.

Module 9: Using Advanced Features in a PowerPoint Presentation
Objective: Students will build on the previous week's introductory skills and incorporate the use of clipart and graphics. Students will demonstrate proficiency using custom animation and multimedia effects in a PowerPoint presentation. Students will create a presentation that can be integrated into their specific classroom curriculum or job area. Students will continue to explore integration strategies and techniques.
Contents:
  1. Multimedia and Student Learning
  2. Using Advanced Features in PowerPoint
       • Animation Effects
       • Transitions
       • Charts
  3. Importing Images from MS Paint
  4. Integration of PowerPoint in the Classroom
Culminating Assignment: Using the skills you have learned create a presentation that can be integrated into your specific classroom curriculum or job area that includes clip art and graphics. Write a 100 - 200 word reflection on the supplemental information provided in this module and a 25 word reflection on each Web site, research article or best practice, lab, and tutorial. Discuss new ideas and significant insights and how this information can be used to support classroom integration of Microsoft PowerPoint and the benefits of using multimedia to enhance student learning.

Module 10: Microsoft Excel: Creating a Worksheet and Embedded Chart
Objective: Students will demonstrate proficiency building a spreadsheet with an embedded chart and will identify classroom integration techniques and ideas.
Contents:
  1. Introduction to Microsoft Excel
  2. Creating a Spreadsheet
  3. Formatting the Spreadsheet
  4. Creating and Adding an Embedded Chart
  5. Using Help
  6. Classroom Integration
  7. Web Resources
Culminating Assignment: Work through Excel Project 1 in the textbook. Then, using the skills you have learned create and format a spreadsheet that can be integrated into your specific classroom curriculum or job area. Create an embedded chart for the spreadsheet. Write a 100 - 200 word paragraph reflection on the supplemental information provided in this module and a 25 word reflection on each Web site, research article or best practice, lab, and tutorial. Discuss new ideas and significant insights and how this information can be used to support classroom integration of Microsoft Excel.

Module 11: Using Additional Features in Microsoft Excel
Objective: Students will learn and demonstrate proficiency with intermediate features of Microsoft Excel. Students will build a project appropriate for their classroom situation or job area that integrates Excel in a technology enriched lesson.
Contents:
  1. Additional Features in Excel
  2. Format Options
  3. Classroom Integration
  4. Web Resources
Culminating Assignment: Using the skills presented in this module, create and format a spreadsheet that can be integrated into your specific classroom curriculum or job area. Use the enhanced features taught in this module. Write a 100 - 200 word paragraph reflection on the supplemental information provided in this module and a 25 word reflection on each Web site, research article or best practice, lab, and tutorial. Discuss new ideas and significant insights and how this information can be used to support classroom integration of Microsoft Excel.

Module 12: Microsoft Access: Creating A Database Using Design and Database Views
Objective: Students will use Microsoft Access or AppleWorks database tool to create a database using Design and Database views and identify classroom integration ideas.
Contents:
  1. Introduction to Microsoft Access
  2. Creating a Database
       • Using a Form to View Data
  3. Creating a Report
  4. Using Help
  5. Designing A Database
  6. Classroom Integration Ideas
  7. Web Resources
Culminating Assignment: Work through Access Project 1 in the textbook. Then, using the skills you have learned create a database that can be integrated into your specific classroom curriculum or job area. Write a 100 - 200 word reflection on the supplemental information provided in this module and a 25 word reflection on each Web site, research article or best practice, lab, and tutorial. Discuss new ideas and significant insights and how this information can be used to support classroom integration of Microsoft Access.

Module 13: Final Integration Project
Objective: Students will create a technology enriched lesson that integrates one or more Microsoft Office programs to create a project to use with their students in their specific classroom curriculum or to use in their job area.
Culminating Assignment: Based upon sound educational research principles and best practices that you have learned in this course, create a technology-enriched lesson that demonstrates your knowledge on how to integrate Microsoft Office into a subject specific curriculum area. Then, create a Web site consisting of a home page and a PowerPoint Presentation that supports your lesson. The lesson must be tied to state standards and reference research articles and best practices in the field of educational technology.

Grading

Assignment	Points	Grading Scale
E-Mail Introductions	2	100 – 93	A
Chapter/Online Reflections	36	92 – 85	B
Word Projects	20	84 – 77	C
PowerPoint Projects	15
Excel Project	5
Access Project	5
Final Integration Project	17
Total Points	100

Student Academic Integrity
Participants guarantee that all academic class work is original. Any academic dishonesty or plagiarism (to take ideas, writings, etc. from another and offer them as one's own), is a violation of student academic behavior standards as outlined by our partnering colleges and universities and is subject to academic disciplinary action.

Register
To register to take TEI's Teachers Discovering & Integrating Microsoft Office online graduate course, visit the Course Registration page.