Philosophy of Computing in Education
CECS 6000.010
ECMP Core Course
(Tentative Information as of 9/02/05)
Instructor:
Dr. Gerald Knezek
Catalog
Description: CECS 6000 Philosophy of Computing in
Education. An
examination of the philosophical underpinnings of use of computers in
education: why we are interested in this technology; what we hope to
accomplish; intended and unintended changes that will occur by its use.
Classroom:
Matthews
308
Saturday, Sept. 4, 9am-1pm
Saturday, Sept. 17, 9am-1pm (Assignment 1 due)
Saturday, Oct. 15, 9am-1pm (Assignment 2 due)
Saturday, Nov. 12, 9am-1pm (Assignment 3 due)
Saturday, Dec. 3, 9am-1pm (Assignment 4 due)
(Assignments due 7 pm on the day before class.)
Description
of the Course:
These
detailed topics fit into three examined aspects of the
computer in education as follows:
1. Machine learning/machine-intermediated
learning--the
computer as a device with which you communicate or where the machine is
only an
intermediary for human to human communications.
2. The computer as tutor/ tool/tutee--depending on
your
philosophy, the computer can take on different functions in education.
Which
fits your style and why?
3. Pedagogy - what is technology’s role in education;
how can it help you be a better teacher? Starting at the beginning -
what is
pedagogy and what is a good teacher?
This class will be slightly more than half face-to-face with
significant
directed study and internet extensions. There will be three
assignments
and a term paper. Assignment 1 is on aspect 1, assignment 2 on aspect
2, and
assignment 3 on aspect 3. The first day of class will include
discussion
related to the course and to the term papers. The final class will
include time
for everyone to make presentations about their term paper. In addition
to the
above mentioned class meetings and assignments, a list of 6 or so
movies related
to pedagogy and philosophy will be provided. Each student is to view 3
of those
movies.
Presentation of Final Projects:
Saturday, Dec. 3, 9am-2pm
Grading:
- Online participation:10 pts.
- Inclass participation: 10 pts.
- Three Assignments: 30 pts.
- Final project: 50 pts.
Texts
Frost, S. E. Jr. (1942). The Basic Teachings of the Great Philosophers. Philadelphia: Blakiston.
Kemeny, J. G. (1972). Man and the Computer. NY: Charles Scribner & Sons.
Collis et.al. (1996). Children and Computers in School. Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.
Haugeland, J. (1997). Mind design II. Philosophy, psychology, artificial intelligence. Cambridge: MIT Press. (available as an online e-book at UNT).
Various texts reserved in the library.
Other texts provided by the instructor and members of class.
Contact
Information:
Voice Mail: 940-565-4195
FAX 940-565-2185
Email: gknezek@gmail.com
Mailing Address:
Technology and Cognition/UNT