CIT 649
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Technology
Instructional Methods for Computer Applications
Course Overview
Credits: 3
Prerequisites:
Coursework in educational technology or consent of instructor.
Availability & Programs
Offered:
Summer Odd Years
Summer Even Years
Catalog Description
Study of research-based practices and methods for teaching computer applications. Emphasis on developing project-based instructional activities for teaching digital technologies in the elementary/secondary classroom or professional development settings.
Extended Summary
CIT 649 is a graduate-level course designed to help educators develop effective, student-centered approaches to teaching computer applications. The focus is not on mastering specific tools, but on designing instruction that is evidence-based, grounded in learning theory, and aligned with professional standards such as those from CSTA, ISTE, and Nevada state frameworks.
Offered in a compressed five-week format, the course requires consistent engagement through discussions, readings, and applied assignments. Content is organized in a clear, week-by-week structure to support efficient navigation and sustained progress.
The course begins with foundational instructional design concepts, including a student-centered framework emphasizing learner ownership, active engagement, and knowledge sharing. This framework guides the development of instructional modules throughout the course.
Weekly modules focus on key areas of computer application instruction. These include communication tools such as word processing and presentations, data organization and analysis using spreadsheets, and broader topics such as internet research, digital safety, and ergonomics. Students also engage with issues of equity, including antiracist pedagogy, and consider how social justice principles can be integrated into their instructional design.
Rather than learning tools in isolation, students apply these concepts by creating lesson plans and instructional materials aligned with real classroom contexts. Assignments include methods exercises, lesson plan development, and practical tasks such as building spreadsheet-based activities or evaluating online resources using structured frameworks.
Assessment emphasizes both reflection and application. Students participate in weekly discussions, complete reading reflections connecting theory to practice, and submit lesson-based assignments. The course culminates in a final project in which students develop a resource website that synthesizes their work and provides usable materials for teaching computer applications.
Overall, CIT 649 prepares educators to design practical, inclusive, and standards-aligned instruction in computer applications, equipping them with both the conceptual frameworks and applied skills needed for effective teaching.
Offered in a compressed five-week format, the course requires consistent engagement through discussions, readings, and applied assignments. Content is organized in a clear, week-by-week structure to support efficient navigation and sustained progress.
The course begins with foundational instructional design concepts, including a student-centered framework emphasizing learner ownership, active engagement, and knowledge sharing. This framework guides the development of instructional modules throughout the course.
Weekly modules focus on key areas of computer application instruction. These include communication tools such as word processing and presentations, data organization and analysis using spreadsheets, and broader topics such as internet research, digital safety, and ergonomics. Students also engage with issues of equity, including antiracist pedagogy, and consider how social justice principles can be integrated into their instructional design.
Rather than learning tools in isolation, students apply these concepts by creating lesson plans and instructional materials aligned with real classroom contexts. Assignments include methods exercises, lesson plan development, and practical tasks such as building spreadsheet-based activities or evaluating online resources using structured frameworks.
Assessment emphasizes both reflection and application. Students participate in weekly discussions, complete reading reflections connecting theory to practice, and submit lesson-based assignments. The course culminates in a final project in which students develop a resource website that synthesizes their work and provides usable materials for teaching computer applications.
Overall, CIT 649 prepares educators to design practical, inclusive, and standards-aligned instruction in computer applications, equipping them with both the conceptual frameworks and applied skills needed for effective teaching.