Introduction to Technology for Educators

Course Description

EME2040C – Introduction to Technology for Educators is a 3-credit-hour course that prepares pre-service and current educators to integrate technology effectively into K–12 teaching and learning. The course covers the selection, evaluation, and application of digital tools, instructional software, productivity applications, and emerging technologies to enhance instruction, assessment, and classroom management.

The "C" lab indicator denotes integrated lecture and hands-on laboratory components. Students complete substantial applied work — building lesson plans with embedded technology, creating multimedia instructional resources, designing assessments using digital tools, and evaluating educational software and websites for instructional appropriateness. Coursework is aligned with the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Standards for Educators and Students.

EME2040C is a Florida common course offered at approximately 39 Florida institutions and is required for admission to most teacher-preparation programs (B.S. in Education, B.A. in Elementary Education, B.S. in Special Education, B.S. in Early Childhood Education) at Florida universities. It is also required for the Educator Preparation Institute (EPI) pathway and serves as the technology-competency course for the Florida Educators Certificate.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Apply the ISTE Standards for Educators (Learner, Leader, Citizen, Collaborator, Designer, Facilitator, Analyst) to instructional planning.
• Apply the ISTE Standards for Students (Empowered Learner, Digital Citizen, Knowledge Constructor, Innovative Designer, Computational Thinker, Creative Communicator, Global Collaborator) when designing learning activities.
• Demonstrate digital citizenship concepts, including online safety, ethical use, copyright and fair use, plagiarism, and acceptable-use policies.
• Use productivity software (word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, collaborative documents) to create instructional materials.
• Design and develop lesson plans incorporating technology aligned to Florida B.E.S.T. Standards and grade-level content.
• Evaluate educational software, websites, and digital resources for instructional appropriateness, accuracy, accessibility, and developmental suitability.
• Create multimedia instructional resources, including digital presentations, infographics, screencasts, and short videos.
• Use learning management systems (LMS) such as Canvas, Schoology, or Google Classroom to organize, deliver, and assess instruction.
• Apply assistive technology concepts and accessibility practices, including Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles, ADA compliance, and accommodations for students with disabilities.
• Address technology integration for English Language Learners (ELLs), supporting Florida ESOL endorsement competencies.
• Demonstrate basic data literacy for educators, including using spreadsheet tools to track student progress and inform instruction.

Optional Outcomes

• Apply computational thinking and coding concepts at an introductory level (e.g., Scratch, code.org).
• Integrate emerging technologies such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), or artificial intelligence (AI) tools in instructional contexts.
• Develop professional online presence through educator portfolios, blogs, or social media for professional learning networks (PLNs).
• Design technology-supported assessments, including online formative assessment tools (Kahoot, Quizizz, Nearpod, Pear Deck).
• Apply SAMR (Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, Redefinition) or TPACK frameworks to evaluate instructional technology integration.

Major Topics

Required Topics

• Foundations of Educational Technology: History of technology in schools; current trends; ISTE Standards; Florida B.E.S.T. Standards integration.
• Digital Citizenship: Online safety, ethical use, copyright, fair use, Creative Commons, plagiarism, COPPA/FERPA basics, district acceptable-use policies.
• Productivity Tools for Educators: Microsoft Office or Google Workspace for Education; document creation, spreadsheets for grade tracking, presentation design.
• Multimedia Creation: Digital presentations (Google Slides, PowerPoint, Canva, Prezi), infographics, image editing, screencasting (Screencastify, Loom), video creation.
• Internet Tools and Web Resources: Search strategies, source evaluation (CRAAP test), curating digital resources, web 2.0 tools for the classroom.
• Learning Management Systems: Canvas, Schoology, Google Classroom — module/assignment creation, gradebook use, communication tools.
• Lesson Planning with Technology: Aligning to Florida B.E.S.T. Standards; differentiation through technology; integration models (SAMR, TPACK).
• Assessment with Technology: Online formative tools (Kahoot, Quizizz, Nearpod, Pear Deck), digital portfolios, rubric-based assessment.
• Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Accessibility: ADA compliance, assistive technology overview, accommodations and modifications, accessibility checkers.
• Technology for Diverse Learners: Supports for English Language Learners (Florida ESOL competencies), exceptional education students, gifted learners.
• Data Use for Instruction: Spreadsheet basics, grade analysis, progress monitoring, simple data visualization.
• Technology and Professional Practice: Professional learning networks, educator portfolios, professional development through online communities.

Optional Topics

• Computational Thinking and Coding: Scratch, code.org, block-based programming for K–8 contexts.
• Emerging Technologies: VR/AR in the classroom, AI tools for educators (responsible-use focus), 3D printing, robotics.
• Flipped and Blended Learning Models: Design and implementation considerations.
• Game-Based Learning: Educational games, gamification strategies, simulation-based instruction.
• STEM/STEAM Integration: Cross-curricular technology integration in science, math, and arts contexts.

Resources & Tools

• Common Textbooks: Integrating Educational Technology into Teaching (Roblyer/Hughes), Transforming Learning with New Technologies (Maloy et al.), Teaching and Learning with Technology (Lever-Duffy/McDonald)
• Productivity Suites: Google Workspace for Education (free for educators), Microsoft 365 Education
• Learning Management Systems: Canvas (used by most Florida districts and universities), Schoology, Google Classroom
• Multimedia Tools: Canva for Education, Adobe Creative Cloud Express, Screencastify, Loom, Flipgrid/Flip
• Assessment Tools: Kahoot, Quizizz, Nearpod, Pear Deck, Google Forms, Mentimeter
• Reference Standards: ISTE Standards for Educators, Students, and Education Leaders (current edition); Florida Educator Accomplished Practices (FEAPs); Florida B.E.S.T. Standards; Florida Sunshine State Standards (where still applicable)
• Professional Organizations: ISTE (iste.org), Florida Society for Technology in Education (FSTE), Florida Council of Computing Educators (FCCE)
• Open Educational Resources: CK-12, OER Commons, Common Sense Education, Florida Virtual Campus (LINCS)

Career Pathways

EME2040C supports preparation for and entry into the following K–12 education roles:

• Elementary School Teacher (SOC 25-2021) — Florida Educators Certificate in Elementary Education (K–6).
• Middle/High School Teacher (SOC 25-2031) — Florida Educators Certificate in subject-area specialty.
• Special Education Teacher (SOC 25-2057) — Exceptional Student Education (ESE) certification.
• ESOL Teacher — ESOL endorsement frequently combined with elementary or English/language arts certification.
• Pre-K and Early Childhood Educator — Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) and child-care licensing pathway.
• Instructional Designer / Instructional Coach — Often a career-progression path from classroom teaching with additional graduate coursework.
• Educational Technology Specialist — School- or district-level technology integration role.

Florida has substantial demand for K–12 educators across all districts, with shortage-area incentives in mathematics, science, special education, and ESOL. The Florida Department of Education provides certification information at fldoe.org/teaching.

Special Information

Articulation and Teacher Preparation

EME2040C is a Florida common course number that transfers as the equivalent course at all Florida public postsecondary institutions per SCNS articulation policy. It is required for admission to or completion of most Florida teacher-preparation programs, including:

• B.S./B.A. in Elementary Education programs
• B.S. in Special Education / Exceptional Student Education programs
• B.S. in Early Childhood Education programs
• B.S. in Secondary Education programs (subject-specific)
• Educator Preparation Institute (EPI) pathway for alternative certification

Florida Educator Accomplished Practices (FEAPs)

Course content is aligned with the FEAPs, particularly:

• FEAP (a)2 — Learning Environment: Integrates current information and communication technologies.
• FEAP (a)3 — Instructional Delivery and Facilitation: Employs technology to enhance instruction.
• FEAP (a)4 — Assessment: Uses technology-supported assessment tools and data analysis.
• FEAP (b) — The Continuous Improvement, Responsibility and Ethics: Models digital citizenship and ethical technology use.

ESOL and Reading Endorsement Connections

EME2040C content frequently maps to specific ESOL Performance Standards (particularly Domain 4: Curriculum and Materials Development) and supports Florida Reading Endorsement requirements regarding the use of technology in literacy instruction.