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Before class:
Join Slack! Click on this shared link to join our class' workspace on Slack. Once you're in, please complete your profile with a photo and your real name.
Download the Slack app. We'll use Slack as our primary communication tool besides Zoom. So it's a good idea to download the desktop and mobile apps and set notifications so that you won't miss any important messages. We won't use eLC much, except for posting grades.
1. Who is the instructor?
My name Xigui Yang is pronounced as She-gway Young. This is my second year teaching EDIT 2000. I'm from China. I worked as a high school English teacher in China for a few years and then taught Chinese in a charter school in South Carolina for two years before I came to UGA. Right now I'm a third-year doctoral student in Learning, Design, and Technology (LDT). My research interest is in designing positive collaborative learning experiences for students, especially in online or hybrid settings. You'll learn more about me in the #introductions Channel in Slack. You're going to introduce yourself there as well!
Now let's each do a very quick intro: Your name, where you're from, where you're if you are online, how you spent your holiday break?
2. What is this class about?
It’s about meaningful learning with technology and finding the intersection of learning, design, and technology in K12 learning environments. View the syllabus for more details.
3. What is the class format?
This will be a flexible hybrid class. We'll have face-to-face, synchronous online and asynchronous sessions. We'll meet once every Tuesday and you may join class either in person in Aderhold 409 or via Zoom based on your own preference. For Thursdays, you'll do asynchronous work either independently or in small groups. I reserve the class time of Thursdays for office hours. If you need to meet me at other times, you need to make an appointment with me.
4. What materials do you need?
You’ll need access to technology – your own computer and maybe headphones for online meetings. Mobile devices are helpful as well. There is an OIT office (Aderhold 213), where you can check out various items such as laptop, camera, charger, etc. for a week or two.
Textbook
Gonzalez, J. (2021). Teachers Guide to Technology (4th ed.). Cult of Pedagogy.
Our textbook is actually a resource guide (ebook). The publisher has provided us with a discount, but it’s important that you follow the directions in order to pay the correct discount price of $15.00. The directions for purchasing and downloading your textbook are here. (The resource you want is called “The Teachers Guide to Tech 2021”). The coupon code is: UGAW215
5. Let's play a Kahoot
There are a few true or false questions about educational technology. If you are using Zoom on your computer, it might be helpful for you to play Kahoot using your cell phone.
HOMEWORK (DUE Tuesday, Jan 19th, before class).
1. Post on the #introductions channel on Slack. Please write 1-2 paragraphs about yourself and upload a few pictures and/or videos of you without a mask on :)
Here are some prompts for you:
Your name, major, year of study
What do you do when you're not in class?
Why did you choose this course? What do you expect to get from it?
What are some fun facts about you?
What do you plan to do after graduation?
Questions or concerns about this course...
Literally just anything that you would like to share with us...
2. Fill out this Student Information Google Form.
3. Purchase the textbook: The directions for purchasing and downloading your textbook are here. (The resource you want is called “The Teachers Guide to Tech 2021”). The coupon code is: UGAW215
4. Fix up your Zoom software: update to the latest version, try out virtual backgrounds, customize your profile. And take a few minutes to consider how having your camera on, instead of off, might make this semester different from last semester.
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