Alec-Couros

Alec Couros [|Open, Social, Connected Teaser] [|Open, Social, Connected Preso] (19 minutes and 53 seconds )
 * Supporting Links:** []

Dr. Alec Couros is a professor of educational technology and media and the Coordinator of Information and Communications Technology at the [|Faculty of Education], [|University of Regina]. Alec also serves as the Assistant Director of the Saskatchewan Instructional Development and Research Unit. Alec is scholar and advocate of openness in distributed learning environments. He has given hundreds of workshops and presentations, nationally and internationally, on topics such as openness in education, social learning, instructional design, digital citizenship and critical media literacy. Alec blogs at [] Email: Alec.Couros@uregina.ca website: []

Related Teaching and Teacher Education Experience
Responsible for technology planning, service and professional development in the Faculty. A short list of duties include: development and leadership of faculty professional development initiatives (group sessions and one-to-one mentoring), development and delivery of student-teacher ICT modules, supervision of the Education Computer Centre, pricing and consultation of ICT equipment (hardware, software & network related), planning and maintenance of the Faculty website. Lecturer - ECMP 355 (Computers in Education), ECMP 455 (Advanced Computers in Education) & provide special workshops for many other subject area and professional courses (EPS, EHE, EPE, ELNG, ERDG, EMTH, EMY, ESST, EMUS, EVIS, EVHR, EBUS, EPSY, EFDN, ECCU, ESCI).
 * Faculty of Education - University of Regina, Regina, SK (1999-Present) - IT Coordinator**


 * Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies, Saskatoon, SK (1997-1999) - Coordinator - Computer Information Systems Program**


 * Lecturer** - Information Systems, C++, Java, Visual Basic, Data Base, Data Structures, Distributed Processing, Systems Projects, Systems Analysis and Design, Selected Topics, Human Resource Management, Marketing, & Public Education.


 * Network Administrator** - Maintenance of LAN including setup, installation, and evaluation of software and hardware.

Other duties included staff computer training (application software, LAN software, courseware), SIIT's webpage design & development, and the design, revision, and publication of program (Business Administration, Computer Information Systems) curriculum materials. Saskatchewan Indian Federated College, Saskatoon, SK (1997-1999) Sessional Lecturer and Lab Demonstrator, Computers 100.3

Planned and delivered lectures, assignments, and projects designed to give a basic understanding of the history of computing, social implications of technology, an introduction to computer hardware and software, webpage and graphic design, as well as foundational computer language programming.

Teacher/Therapist, Social Service Worker I, and Parental Care Supervisor**
 * Kilburn Hall Youth Centre, Social Services, Saskatoon, SK (1996-1999)

Work closely within the Young Offender's Act with sentenced youth in a closed-custody facility. Duties include classroom teaching, crisis intervention, transport of youth, and detention unit supervision. Classes taught at this facility include Computer Literacy and Science, Drafting, Photography, Industrial Arts, English, Math, and Social Studies.

Sessional Lecturer, Computers 100.3 & Computers 101.3**
 * University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK (1995-1998)

Planned and delivered lectures, assignments, and projects designed to give a basic understanding of the history of computing, social implications of technology, an introduction to computer hardware and software, webpage and graphic design, as well as foundational computer language programming.

Computer Lab Instructor (1996-1997) Computer Applications 10 & 20, Computer Science 10 & 20, Core Math 10 & 20, Core History 20, English 30, Physics 20, and Chemistry 20
 * St. Michael's College, Duck Lake, SK (1993-1997)**

Computer Applications 10 & 20, Computer Science 10 & 20, Core Math 10 & 20, Core History 20, English 20 & 30, and Psychology 30
 * Grade 11 Homeroom Teacher** (1995-1996)

Computer Applications 10, Computer Science 10, Core Math 10, Core History 10 & 20, Family Life 30
 * Grade 11 Homeroom Teacher** (1994-1995)

English 30, Core Math 20
 * Summer School Teacher** (1993 & 1994)

Core History 10, Core Math 10, Science 10, Computer Applications 10, Computer Science 10, Grade 8 Math, Grade 8 Social Studies
 * Grade 10 Homeroom Teacher** (1993-1994)



Courses taught in the past 5 years
[| http://education.uregina.ca/technology/ecmp355]
 * ECMP 355 Computers in the Classroom (Online)** - I have developed the online version of this popular undergraduate course which is an introduction to appropriate technology integration in the K-12 classroom.

[| http://education.uregina.ca/technology/ecmp455]
 * ECMP 455 Computers in the Classroom - Advanced (Online)** - I am currently developing this undergraduate course which focuses on building technology integration approaches, developing advanced multimedia skills and the critique of media and technology in K-12 education. The course will be offered in the Winter of 2005.

[| http://education.uregina.ca/iteachered/modules] 
 * EPS 215 & 225 Technology Integration Modules** - I have developed the content and site design for ten technology modules which serve to build technology competencies the Faculty of Education's elementary preservice teachers. These modules cover the following: introduction to important web resources, assessing and organizing online resources, creating an online course/teacher page building and using online inquiry-oriented activities in the classroom (e.g., webquests).

Research projects and interests

 * The Open Source Movement: Implications for Education** - My dissertation research focused on better understanding the open movement (which includes open source software, open content, open publishing), and studying its implications for educational practice and preparation.


 * Cyber School Study** - I have recently served as the technical expert (advisory committee) for a cyber school study being prepared by SIDRU for the Keewatin Careers Development Corporation (KCDC). The descriptive study is focused on the distance learning facilities of four major cyber schools in Alberta and Saskatchewan.
 * The iTeacherED Project** - Since 2001, I have been involved as a research partner in this major, Industry Canada sponsored, action research project which is focused on the improvement of ICT competencies in a teacher education program. The intent of the study is to both improve the ICT potential of our own Faculty, but also, to create a model of ICT integration which other teacher education programs could benefit from.


 * First Nations' SchoolNet Pilot Project Evaluation (2003)** - I worked as researcher & writer on this Industry Canada funded study. The study focused on two major components. First, it reviewed a SchoolNet pilot-project which brought in specific First Nations' schools as NIS Schools (Network of Innovative Schools). Second, it reviewed the process of implementing Grassroots projects into First Nations' schools.


 * BrainBinder Pilot Project Evaluation (2001)** - I was also involved as a research team-member in the BrainBinder Project. This major project evaluated the implementation of SunRay systems into four major school divisions in Saskatchewan.


 * Saskatchewan Virtual Campus Report (2001)** - I was the lead researcher & writer for the Virtual Campus Report which focused on emerging models and best practices national and international virtual campus projects. The report was used as a feasibility study for the Saskatchewan Virtual Campus.



Publications, research reports, and presentations (last 5 years)
Couros, A. (2003). T//he iTeacherEd Project: Developing an instructional technology integration model for teacher education programs to enhance classroom teaching and learning//. Proceedings of the International Conference on Information Communication technologies in education (ICICTE-04). July 3-5, 2003, Samos, Greece.

Brogden, L., Couros, A. (2002). //Contemplating the Virtual Campus: Pedagogical and administrative considerations.// The Delta Kappa Gamma Bulletin, 68(3), 22-30.

Couros, A. (2002). //Preparing teachers for the Information Age: Challenges of faculty and instructors in a preservice teacher education program. Melbourne, AU: Common Ground (eBook)//

Couros, A., Brogden, L. (2001). //Saskatchewan virtual campus report: Research into models and best practices.// Saskatchewan Instructional Development and Research Unit. University of Regina, Faculty of Education.

R.A. Schwier, M. Akerman, G. Antifaiff, P. Arthur, S. Balbar, T. Brown, J. Byers, G. Clark, A. Couros, C. Hansen, D. Pinder, D. Pratte, B. Scheirer, B. Schindelka (2001). //The day the technology died: A tale of murder and redemption in a virtual mentorship project. Media News, 27(3), 1,3-4.//

Couros, A. (2000). //Increasing instructional technology competencies in an elementary education preservice program//. J.D. Price, J. Willis, D. Willis, M. Jost and S. Boger-Mehall (Eds.). Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education 10th International Conference Proceedings. Charlottsville, VA:AACE.

Couros, A. (2000). //Ownership of knowledge and its implications for teacher education.// Professional and Theoretical Issues in Educational Technology: Occasional Papers.

Fulton, C., Couros, A., Maeers, M. (2000). //The impact of theory on technology use in the classroom.// J.D. Price, J. Willis, D. Willis, M. Jost and S. Boger-Mehall (Eds.). Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education 10th International Conference Proceedings. Charlottsville, VA:AACE.



Community Service

 * Technology Mentor (Regina Community Clinic and Rainbow Youth Centre)** - As a technology mentor, I worked with at-risk youth and helped them to achieve basic and intermediate technological skills (e.g., email, word processing, presentation software, video editing). As I believe that students lacking access to technology and basic technical skills may be at a disadvantage in society, I continue to encourage interested preservice teachers to become technology mentors as part of the ECMP 355 course.


 * Community Presentations** - I have offered many Internet Awareness seminars to community organizations, professional associations and parent organizations. My goal for these presentations is to increase the education of parents and teachers regarding the tremendous amount of inappropriate material found on the Internet, and to promote critical and safe Internet practice.


 * Open Source Advocacy -** I strive to be a strong voice in the community regarding the possibilities of open source software. Through the implementation of open source solutions at home and in schools, there can be a substantial increase in access to important digital tools for individuals who may be at an economic disadvantage.