TSEM 102

TSEM 102-Towson Seminar Current Issues in Education: Excitement

and Challenge of Extreme Teaching
Towson University-College of Education
Department of Educational Technology and Literacy-Spring 2016
Instructor: Scot W. McNary, Ph.D.
Office Location: HH0102F
Office Contact: phone: 410 704-4835 email: smcnary@towson.edu
Office Hours: Mondays 3:30-4:10pm and Thursdays 3:30-4:10pm.
Class Meeting Dates: Mondays 4:20-6:50pm
Class Meeting Location: HH0219
Course Description
Course Goals:
1. Students will display competency in essential skills required of a college graduate by:
a. Writing clearly and persuasively for a variety of purposes and for different audiences,
revising and improving such texts.
b. Making articulate, persuasive, and influential presentations.
c. Reading, interpreting, analyzing and evaluating written discourse.
d. Integrating ideas and concepts in order to make judgments based on evidence.
e. Researching a topic, develop an argument and organize supporting details.
f. Using software as appropriate for writing, for spreadsheets, for statistical analysis,
for calculations, or for presentations.
2. Students will use inquiry and critical judgment to make decisions by:
a. Reflecting and evaluating claims and evidence (rather than merely reporting
information).
b. Thinking in complex terms that move beyond an either/or binary approach.
Course Outcomes
Students will be able to:
1. Prepare and present a compelling substantive interpretation, argument, and/or analysis
of a problem or issue in a research paper.
2. Gather and use academic resources effectively and according to the standards and rules
of academic integrity in formulating and presenting a substantive interpretation,
argument, and/or analysis of a problem or issue.
3. Understand and evaluate the nature and possible causes and implications of events,
behavior, problems, and issues from an informed and intellectually balanced perspective.
4. Connect concepts and empirical evidence in logically coherent, valid, and compelling
ways.
Grading: This course is graded according to the following criteria.
A=95-100%

A-=90-94%

B+=87-89%

D+=67-69%

D=60-66%

F=59 and below

B=83-86%

Course Assignments:
An Original Research Paper and Presentation

B-=80-82%

C+=77-79%

C=73-76%

C-=70-72%

TSEM 102
The final paper for the course represents a synthesis of your critical reading and review of
multiple sources on a topic of your choosing. The paper should be 5-8 pages and be written
in APA format.
Research Proposal. This 5-8 page paper should clearly indicate the background for your
chosen topic, a thesis statement, supporting evidence, and a conclusion. A reference list
in APA format containing at least ten sources:
1 book from the Reference section of Cook Library (not the stacks) or an online
Reference source
5 journals (peer reviewed) academic or scholarly
1 newspaper article
3 webpages (scholarly)
At least ten sources are required. All references in the on the reference page
should be appropriately cited in the body of the text and all citations must appear
in the list of references.
Final Paper Presentation. You will be expected to give an in-class presentation of your
research proposal, followed by brief class questions and/or discussion. This presentation
will highlight the major components of your final paper. You are welcome to use
Powerpoint or other slide presentation. The presentation should be five to seven minutes
in length.
Written Assignments (about 8)
Students will evaluate and discuss various research articles, blog posts, or other materials
focusing on the topic assigned. You must use your own words in your writing; direct quotes
are only rarely needed. Please submit all work on Blackboard in Microsoft Word/RTF format.
Documents in Pages for Mac format are not easily readable on Blackboard.
Midterm Examination
Students will provide an annotated bibliography in place of an examination. The annotated
bibliography will test critical reading and writing effectiveness across a range of several
types of resources of the students choosing. You must have at least five of your ten sources
reviewed for the midterm assignment.
Reflective Paper
There is an in-class written assignment that is the final examination for the course. It will be
held the last evening of the semester in class.
Component

Part of Final
Grade

Written assignments (both in class and out, about 8)

40%

Midterm Examination

15%

Final Research Paper

30%

Research Presentation

10%

Reflective Paper
Class Policies:

5%

TSEM 102
Academic Integrity.
You are expected to maintain a high standard of ethical conduct and academic integrity.
Cheating and plagiarism in preparing materials submitted as original work constitute a
violation of academic integrity. Penalties for academic dishonesty may result in failure for
the
course.
The
university
statement
on
academic
integrity
is
here:
https://inside.towson.edu/generalcampus/tupolicies/documents/03-01.00%20Student
%20Academic%20Integrity%20Policy.doc
The following website has resources compiled by Sara Nixon at Cook Library for learning
more about plagiarism and how to avoid it: http://pages.towson.edu/sara/plagiarism.html
Attendance.
Attendance is expected. In-class and out of class assignment due dates are non-negotiable.
If you must miss a session for an emergency it is your responsibility to inform the instructor
prior to the missed class, and seek notes from a classmate for the missed class. Any
assignments due must be accompanied by a doctors note in the event of illness and a plan
to make up the missed assignment. Acceptable reasons for missed classes include
documented medical reasons, religious holidays, and TU sponsored events for which you are
authorized to participate. Documentation must accompany any request to make up missed
assignments. Unexcused or undocumented absences resulting in missed assignments
cannot be made up and will earn a grade of zero.
Technology resources
Email: All email will be sent to your Towson account. You will want to check it frequently or
have your TU email forwarded to an email account you use frequently. When emailing the
instructor, please use appropriate language, include a clear subject line, and sign your name
to your email message.
Blackboard: Blackboard will be used to retrieve course information, turn in assignments,
communicate with peers, and other activities as assigned [https://blackboard.towson.edu/].
You will want to become familiar with how to use Blackboard in order to participate
effectively in class. The Office of Technology S (OTS) has many resources available to selfhelp
in
using
technology
at
TU,
including
Blackboard.
http://www.towson.edu/blackboard/studentresources.asp
Because of the extensive use of technology in this course, you will need to have Internet
access through the TU computer labs or on your own. You will also need access to
computers with word processing capacity.
Class Participation and Homework.
Class participation by students is expected. Seminars work when all participants are
prepared by having read and thought about the assigned materials. Expect to interact often
and at length with your peers during the course of the semester. The main research
materials will be at the library. We will meet at the library for several of our classes.

TSEM 102
Frequent use of the library resources are required for this class. Expect to spend an average
of six hours per week studying and preparing for classes.
In class behavior is expected to be courteous and respectful to others. Tolerance of others
viewpoints and polite discussion are crucial to civil discourse.
It is not acceptable to use the computers in class for recreation, personal communications,
or other personal reasons during class time. At all times, use of TU computers and networks
imply
your
agreement
with
the
Acceptable
Use
Policy:
https://inside.towson.edu/generalcampus/tupolicies/documents/10-01.02%20Acceptable
%20Use%20Policy.pdf
Cell phone use is not permitted during class time. In the event of an urgent call, please take
your call outside of class with minimal disruption to others.
Assignment Due Dates.
Students are expected to submit all assignments on the due dates and participate in all
discussions. Unless indicated by the instructor otherwise, please submit written assignments
in person in class the date it is due. Late assignments will not be accepted.
Cancellations.
Class will be canceled only when Towson University announces that classes will be canceled.
Towson
University
posts
closing
announcements
on
the
main
web
page
(http://www.towson.edu) and creates messages on the following phone numbers: 410-7042000 and 410-704-NEWS. Towson University also notifies the following media sources with
closing information: WBAL Radio 11 (1090 AM), WLIF (101.9 FM), WWMX (106.5 FM), WYPR
(88.1 FM), WBAL-TV (11), WJZ-TV (13), WMAR-TV (2), and the Associated Press wire
service.
Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance.
The following statement is taken from the Towson University Undergraduate Catalog (p. 39)
and from the Disability Support Services (DSS) website:
http://www.towson.edu/dss/index.asp
Towson University is committed to providing equal access to its programs
and services for students with disabilities, in accordance with Section 504 of
the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
Disability Support Services is the office designated to provide reasonable
accommodations
to
students
with
disabilities.
Students
seeking
accommodations must identify themselves to DSS, request an appointment to
discuss their needs, and provide DSS with up-to-date and complete
documentation of their disabilities. DSS determines what accommodations are
reasonable on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the students
disabilities and needs, nature of their learning task, course standards and
essential requirements of the program of study, and educational
environment. Students are encouraged to register with DSS as soon as

TSEM 102
possible after admission to the University to ensure timely provision of
services.
If you accommodations you should provide a statement to the instructor from the Towson
University Disability Support Services Office (410-704-2638) authorizing your
accommodation.

Writing and Technology Resources

TU offers help with writing, both in person and online. The Writing Center
http://www.towson.edu/writingcenter/index.asp is available for in person
consultation. You will need to make an appointment to speak with someone. Take a
copy of the rubric with you if you go.
The online writing resource available is the Online Writing Support site:
http://www.towson.edu/ows/
Technology support from the Office of Technology Services (OTS) Student Computing
Services (SCS) is here:
http://www.towson.edu/adminfinance/ots/support/scs/index.asp

TSEM 102
Tentative Course Schedule:
The following schedule may be adapted to meet the needs of the class. Chapter
assignments refer to readings/videos available on Blackboard (some elsewhere).
Date Topic

Assignment

01/25/1 Course introduction

6

Notes
01/28 last
day to
drop/add

02/01/1 Evidence types

6
02/08/1 Library, meet in CK 512
6

Library Resources (note:class meets at

5:30pm)

02/15/1 Library, meet in CK 512

6

Keyword Searching and Journal Article

Evaluation (note:class meets at 5:30pm)

02/22/1 Library, meet in CK 512

6

Academic Integrity and Citation

Generation (note:class meets at 5:30pm)

02/29/1 How should we grade?

6

Carifo & Carey (2010); Kohn (1999)

03/07/1 Should we pay students for

6 grades?

Fryer (2010) Sections I, V and VI;

Kobliner (2012)

03/14/1 Spring break

6
03/21/1 Is this some kind of game?
6

McGonigal (2011); Gee (2010)

03/28/1 Midterm exam

6

Midterm due on Blackboard

04/04/1 Education for the Masses?

6

Watters (2015); Hayes (2015)

04/11/1 Is this a test?

6

Kamentez (2014); Phrampus (2014)

04/18/1 Waiting for Superman

6

Waiting for Superman (rent on your

own); The Inconvenient Truth Behind the
film Waiting for Superman (available on
YouTube)

04/25/1 Do we need teachers?

6

Sugata Mitras Hole in the Wall Project*

05/02/1 Presentations
6

Final research paper due on Blackboard

05/09/1 Presentations
6
05/16/1 Final exam: reflective paper Reflective paper due on Blackboard
6

04/04 last
day to
withdraw
with W

TSEM 102
Date Topic

Assignment

Notes

Sugata Mitras TED Talk can be seen here:

http://www.ted.com/talks/sugata_mitra_shows_how_kids_teach_themselves?language=en
*