Eric.ed.gov – Teacher Education and Technology: Improving Student Learning.

The University of Wyoming (UW) teacher education program is a collaborative between UW faculty and educators from school districts throughout the state. Though the university faculty is charged with teaching teachers, the equally important “teachers of teachers” are the exemplary classroom teachers who provide modeling and expertise for preservice teachers. Throughout their training, students participate in campus-based coursework and classroom-based experiences at an assigned school site. There are four program elements: Phase 1, “Focus on Learning”; Phase 2, “Teacher as Decision Maker”; Phase 3, “Teaching Humanities, Literacy, Math/Science”; and Phase 4, a teaching residency. The university views technology as a powerful pedagogical tool, and focuses on using technology to improve student achievement rather than on the equipment and infrastructure. Students integrate technology into their individual and group projects and presentations and transfer new skills to the elementary school classrooms in their student teaching assignments. Teacher education students receive a “certificate of mastery” in the use of technology to improve student learning. (ND)