| UNLV student
teachers will learn new ways to use and teach computer
technology thanks to a project called THREAD and a $1.14
million dollar PT3 grant (Preparing Tomorrow’s Teacher
to use Technology) from the Department of Education.
THREAD is an acronym for Technology Helping Restructure
Educational Access and Delivery. That’s a big
title, and THREAD is a big project. However, its mission
is based on the simple concept of "threading"
and "weaving" technology into every class
in the College of Education (COE) and, ultimately, other
disciplines at UNLV.
The inspiration behind Project THREAD is Dr. Neal
Strudler, who is the director of the project and a professor
in the Educational Technology Department at UNLV.
When it comes to using the benefits of technology
in a teaching and learning environment, many teachers
have been "getting by," refusing to accept
the introduction of technology.
The project begins at the very core of the problem
by developing a program to COE faculty and UNLV field
supervisors in the use of technology in the classroom
curriculum.
Faculty both in the COE and other disciplines are
being encouraged to integrate technology in classrooms
by being offered mini grants of $1,500 each when they
develop a successful program for this purpose. Already
10 mini grants have been awarded to UNLV faculty in
the COE.
COE faculty members have met National Educational
Technology Standards and "they have dramatically
changed their courses," according to Rita Weiss,
program coordinator for Project THREAD. |
A goal of
Project THREAD is to develo p and test a coordinated field placement system for teachers
in partnership with the Clark County School District.
Weiss explained how THREAD is in the process of working
with Paradise Elementary School and training mentor
teachers, while evaluating both intern and staff for
responses to the experience. Project THREAD is providing
a way to begin teaching technologies as soon as possible.
Yet, many have mixed reactions about the use of technology
in teaching.
Upon hearing that some people think technology will
never be practical in public schools, Weiss suggests
that one of the reasons is that "many of those
studying education have never learned their subject
matter with technology infusion, and often the way we
teach is the way we learn."
Weiss’ personal goal for project THREAD is to
help faculty learn to use technology in the classroom.
"This is an opportunity to learn, test and question
the use of technology in the classroom," she said.
"Don’t be afraid to learn; test and question
the use of technology in the classroom. Don’t
be afraid; just do it."
Any student may log onto THREAD through the UNLV Web
site.
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