Social Studies 2001-2002 Academic Year

  Jeff Passe
   Tracy Rock
  University of North Carolina-Charlotte
   Dept of Reading and Elementary Education
   Charlotte, NC 28223
   jpasse@email.uncc.edu

  Title: The Advanced Technology Integration Project
 
  Description: The Advanced Technology Integration Project is a response to recent
  state mandates that require elementary school teacher candidates to demonstrate
  competency in computers and telecommunications, and also be able to use them in their
  work with students, colleagues, parents, and the public.
  The Advanced Technology Integration Project seeks to improve the existing system of
  advanced technology certification by moving the program-wide focus to one that is
  concentrated in three designated courses.
  Thus, all competencies would be met in the three courses, with significant instruction,
  supervision, and assessment responsibilities carried by a small group of well-planned
  instructors. This approach would remove these responsibilities from the hands of professors
  who have little knowledge or interest in advanced technology as well as part-time faculty.
  Through a coordinated, systematic, and integrated approach the curriculum the elementary
  education preservice teachers experience in these courses will be strengthened and their ability
  to implement technology skills and strategies necessary for success in the elementary classroom
  will be enhanced.
  One major result of the past year is a matrix that was created to guide students and faculty in
  fulfillment of their technology goals. The second phase, which established a baseline of data
  concerning levels of  student comfort with and implementation of technology, has been
  concluded. These data will guide the following phase, which is to trace the effects of  the
  project's implementation.
 
  Project