Technology Related Research and Other Creative Activities
Technology
A commitment to technology is reflected in the implementation and ongoing renewal of college-wide technology goals initiated in 1993. These goals have guided strategic planning and resource allocation dedicated to the integration of technology into the teaching and learning process. In 1995, the technology initiative provided the means to meet the State of Georgia legislative mandate, HB 1187, to prepare pre-service teachers to incorporate technology into the classroom. In 2005, the college recognized the need to update the strategic technology plan with a focus on 21st century knowledge and skills, global communication, leadership, and technology integration. The 2005 technology plan is based on the conceptual framework and aligned with the college strategic plan.
A commitment to technology is reflected in the technology resources, professional development, and technology integration that facilitate candidate mastery of technology. The college supports 9 open access computer labs with 175 computer stations. Macintosh and Windows environments are supported and each lab contains a standard software image, virus protection, and network and Internet access. Additional curriculum and digital production software are provided in targeted labs. The college provides 50 classrooms with standard configuration of computer, projector, speakers, video and DVD display, overhead projector, and wired and wireless connections to the network and Internet resources. Larger lecture halls are equipped with presentation technology, computer technology and Internet access. Two IP videoconferencing labs connect candidates, faculty and staff to a global community. Each IP video system has shared desktop, collaboration tools and multi-media display. An editorium provides six video and digital media stations featuring Macintosh computers and development software. Candidates and faculty are also served through the UGA Student Learning Center. The facility, opened in 2003, provides classrooms and large lecture halls, library research and technical support, collaboration rooms, and over 500 computer stations.
Technology resources are supported through the COE Office of Information Technology and UGA Enterprise Information Technology Services (EITS). An appropriate coordination of local and central IT services provides network, email, security, systems administration, application development, web services, video production services, equipment checkout, and help-desk support. EITS provides connectivity to the Internet, Internet 2 and the Lambda Rail. Additionally, EITS provides centralized applications including the student information system, distance learning applications, UGA web portal, business applications, enterprise security, policy development, and standards development.
All candidates have access to University of Georgia Libraries, including three principal libraries on campus: the Main Library, Science Library, and Student Learning Center. Together, the libraries own over 4 million volumes and 5 million microform units. Additionally, candidates have access to Galileo, a web-based virtual library that includes over 500 databases indexing periodicals and scholarly journals. Over 27,000 scholarly and popular journal titles are provided in full text.
The College of Education is providing technology resources to support candidate mastery through reflection as part of professional growth. An e-portfolio pilot using LiveText was initiated in 2004. The success of the pilot prompted the identification of funds to provide licenses for teacher candidates at the beginning of their education coursework. In 2005, over 1000 candidates were using e-portfolios to collect artifacts of their work, synthesis papers reflecting their growth and dispositions, and peer and faculty reviews based on program and course rubrics. Further evaluation of the impact of e-portfolios on candidate preparation will be continued through 2007. If supported by evaluation data, a college-wide implementation will be initiated.
The college provides numerous opportunities for candidates to master technology and curriculum integration. Since spring 1999, 3,108 candidates have enrolled in courses offered through the Instructional Technology program. These courses, EDIT 2000, 2010, 2020 and 2020H focus on creating teaching and learning environments using technology. Additionally 117 courses are offered to meet program requirements of candidate proficiency in the use, application, and integration of instructional technology. Data summaries from teacher candidate exit surveys capture effectiveness of the college in preparing teachers to use technology and technology resources.
Another technology resource for candidates is the Technology Training Center (TTC), a collaborative partnership between the University of Georgia and the Georgia Department of Education. The mission of the center is to provide high quality service, consulting, and professional learning for Georgia's pre-service and in-service educators to advance the effective use of technology for teaching, learning, and leading. The centers, located at River’s Crossing and the Gwinnett University Center, provide comprehensive instructional, administrative and technical training for educators in order to enhance teaching and learning in Georgia's classrooms. Over 594 pre-service graduate and undergraduate teachers and over 2,200 in-service teachers have participated in technology professional development such as InTech, MediaTech, the Jason Expedition and Technology Bridges. Additional TTC opportunities include PROMOTE Georgia, No Child Left Behind, Annual Yearly Progress, and numerous training sessions in software applications.
Faculty and candidates benefit from professional development opportunities to improve technical proficiency and to facilitate candidate mastery of technology. Customer surveys in 2006-07 reflected the need for training available online to support distance education and flexible schedules. The COE Office of Information Technology developed the Teaching with Technology portal to provide anytime, anyplace professional development and support for candidates, faculty and staff. Additional opportunities for faculty are developed and delivered by Instructional Technology faculty and IT professionals in the Office of Information Technology. Lunch and Learn gatherings, workshops, and classes include software training, introduction to resources such as the Georgia Learning Connections, security awareness, and focused training on LiveText, WebCT and Horizon Wimba. A project initiated in 2004 provides candidates and faculty access to unlimited technology courses through Element K, a professional development tool. These online courses include possible IT certification options, skill assessments, and training materials.
A commitment to technology is demonstrated through the scholarship, research and community service focused on the use of technology and its impact on teaching and learning. Grants awarded for technology research have exceeded $13 million since 2001. Additionally, the 2004 COE Faculty Activity Report (FAR) captured over 128 entries of published technology research and other creative activities. Faculty also reported service to professional communities including over 87 manuscript reviews in journals and other outreach activities with a focus on technology.
Technology is used to provide access to examples of best practices among partnerships and teachers through several ongoing initiatives. The Office of Information Technology launched a public service and outreach project in 2006. The Teacher’s Corner provides resources for classroom teachers and COE candidates with a focus on technology integration, information literacy and emerging technologies. The Center for Proficiency in Teaching Mathematics (CPTM), the National Center for Engineering and Technology Education (NCETE), and the E-TEACH project directed by the Learning and Performance Support Laboratory (LPSL) have a focus on providing resources and professional development for new and in-service teachers. Additionally, technology promotes a means to communicate among partners and educators locally, nationally and internationally concerning these centers, their resources and other college activities.
Another ongoing initiative demonstrating the college commitment to the use of technology is the BRIDGE, an online representation of GSTEP’s Framework for Accomplished Teaching. The goal of this initiative is to improve access to the elements, indicators, and corresponding descriptions explaining good teaching practices. The BRIDGE is similar to other technology-based knowledge and support systems in the way that resources are contributed by the teaching community and organized according to frameworks (e.g., standards or rubrics).
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