Project Description

Preparing technology-proficient educators to meet the needs of 21st century learner has emerged as a critical challenge facing teacher preparation programs across the country. Federal, state and local agencies are investing billions of dollars to equip schools with computers and modern communications networks. Despite these investments only 20 percent of the 2.5 million teachers currently working in our public schools feel comfortable using these technologies in their classrooms. In recognition of the urgent need for technology-proficient educators, the Preparing Tomorrow's Teachers to Use Technology, (PT3), initiative awarded 75 million dollars in grants to support the transformation of teacher preparation programs into 21st century learning environments. In 1999, a total of 225 Catalyst, Implementation, and Capacity Building grants were awarded under the PT3 program.
 

Grant Abstract

Our consortium of educators, teachers and technology innovators intends to offer over 300 pre-service teachers a comprehensive and coherent program for integrating technology into every aspect of their professional career. It will first provide an easy-to-learn and easy-to-use environment for teaching sophisticated critical thinking and literacy skills with the aid of proven, innovative problem-solving software.

The Interactive Multimedia Exercises (IMMEX) computer program developed at UCLA also provides a means to assess student performance, curriculum effectiveness, and teaching practices in a variety of educational environments. These technologies will be presented within the context of a yearlong, sequenced curriculum established by the California State University at Northridge (CSUN). The 46-week Accelerated Collaborative Teacher (ACT) Preparation Program within which the IMMEX technology training will occur will create a uniform curriculum for the pre-service teachers as they share experiences, techniques and even software that they may develop across disciplines and grade levels.

To form long-lasting professional collaborations and to learn best practices for embedding this technology into their classes, pre-service teachers will partner with an experienced group of teachers in a program supported by the Los Angeles Annenberg Metropolitan Project (LAAMP). The Design for Excellence Linking Teaching and Achievement (DELTA) coaches of the Polytechnic Family of Schools serve as mentors for the new teachers entering the Francis Polytechnic Family of Schools (Poly Family). Thirty of the current 120 DELTA coaches have already undergone extensive training in the creation and use of problem-solving software and have implemented the software for thousands of their students; the rest will receive similar training generating significant technology capacity throughout the community.


The four consortium partners (CSUN, The Poly Family of Schools, UCLA, and LAAMP), are committed to pooling their resources to aggressively train new teachers to use computer and Internet technologies to meet the educational needs of their students, three fourths of whom live below the poverty line and 57% who have limited English proficiency. In combination with a rigorous evaluation program, this consortium will provide a powerful vision for integrating technology throughout teaching, learning, and all stages of a teacher's career.
 

ACT Program Overview

The ACT Preparation Program is a one-year full-time program for teacher candidates pursuing a Preliminary Multiple Subject, Single Subject, or Special Education CLAD/BCLAD Credential or Certificate. This program, offered collaboratively between California State University, Northridge (CSUN), the IMMEX Project at UCLA, and the Polytechnic (Poly) School Family in Los Angeles Unified School District, totals 36 units and is comprised of three modules: a common core designed for all teacher candidates; coursework in appropriate specialization credential area; and field experiences with exemplary teachers in the Poly School Family. Courses are offered in the late afternoon, evening, and some Saturdays. Because of intensive coursework and field requirements, full-time teachers are not eligible for this program.