Mission Statement
The College of Wooster Department of Education wishes to impact
the heart and soul of the art of at the college level as well
as the public schools' environment with a comprehensive teacher
preparation program aimed at infusing technology throughout the
teaching and learning experience for preservice teachers. Infusion
of technology into existing curriculum presents a platform upon
which to address a paradigm shift in the roles of the teacher
and learner. Looking at how teaching and learning occur within
that paradigm shift is enhanced by providing teachers and preservice
teachers an accessible technology classroom in an established
learning environment, creating a supportive atmosphere.
MTEC consists of a container holing laptop computers, a data
projector, digital cameras, and a printer. Designed to fit in
the trunk of a car, the portability allows for the unit to be
taken into any classroom on or off campus. The availability of
a support person (technologist) ensures that technical assistance
is available at all times. College instructors can request that
this unit be brought to their classrooms. C classroom teachers
and preservice teachers have access to MTEC for projects in their
classrooms. Modern technologies then will be available to every
student. The target is to have one computer for every 2-3 students.
Community corporations will be able to use the MTEC for corporate
training sessions. A technologist will be available to bring
the unit into all environments and see that it is set up properly.
Further, the technologist will provide technical assistance for
maintaining and using the technology, software, and telecommunication
networks for the term of the project. Combining existing technology
and its uses with MTEC, classrooms will be connected to one another
and to the outside world.
Beginning in September 1999 Triad Partners were identified and
have met to discuss key issues of the grant. Including classroom
teachers currently in the field, college faculty from the Departments
of Education, Art, English, Science and Social Studies, and preservice
teachers (students currently enrolled in the education program
at The College of Wooster) Triad Partner Teams were formed. Teams
of three (one member each: classroom teacher, college faculty
member and preservice teacher) are investigating the use of technology
in the classroom, creating units of study for experimentation,
and using action research to evaluate the impact of technology
on learning and teaching. These teams are key to the execution
of the grant.
The Teaching Tomorrow's Teachers to Use Technology Grant supports
the formation of collaborative partnerships across a broad spectrum
of the educational arena. These partnerships are committed to
goals similar to those mentioned in this grant: designing an
innovative teacher preparatory program; building collaborative
avenues of communication; supporting a paradigm shift in teacher/learner
roles; sharing in documentation the impact of technology on teaching
and learning through action research; empowering preservice teachers
to embody the concept of teaching artistry.
Two colleges with similar educational programs have entered
into partnerships with the College of Wooster, Antioch College
and Denison University. Teacher preparation models and use of
integrated models for specific methods courses infusing technology
are part of the broader scope under discussion. The sharing of
online syllabi and communication with Internet support are in
progress with classes on each campus contributing to the discussions
of the best practices with infused technology.
Kent State University plays a supportive role through the Ameritech
Classroom. A College of Wooster instructor designated as an AT&T
Learning Network Fellow will conduct research in classrooms,
and participate as a Triad Partner in their Implementation Grant
allowing similar research to be conducted on two college campuses
of higher education.
TCCSA, Tri-county Computer Services Association, is a key partner
with contact in each of the area schools. Training of Triad Teams,
key personnel, and college students is a major thrust of this
organization. Also, collaboration on events with support for
speakers and the capability to support distance learning conferences
are some of the roles of TCCSA.
Two Public Schools are designated at collaborative partners.
Teacher leaders from Southeast Local Schools and Wooster City
Schools formed Triad Partner Teams laying the groundwork for
the developmental change in teacher/learner roles.
Apple Computer has agreed to give technical support and provide
training through their "Apple Partners in Learning Interchange" program.
They are providing on-site consultant services, conducting on-site
training, and will participate in collaborative partnerships.
Collaborations formed within The College of Wooster include
the Academic Computing Services, the Department of Education,
other academic departments on campus, and the libraries, which
will house the Responsive Learning Center. Academic Computing
services will support the use of technology through staff development.
The Department of Education and other college departments will
experiment with the integration of technology in content areas
and will participate in the collaborative partnerships. |
