Teacher Training
Submitted by maggie on Mon, 2007/05/14 - 7:19pm.
K-12 Teacher Training -- Key Issues
Dr. Bill Valmont
Dr. Cathy Gunn (input)
January 16, 1996
Improved Understanding
Faculty in teacher preparation programs need a clearer understanding about how teaching and learning are being influenced because of computers and telecommunications.
Faculty need an understanding about how technology is changing the educational options that are becoming available to teachers and other citizens (Mind Extension University, Virtual University) and the implications of this has for current teacher preparation programs.
Teacher preparation faculty need information about current and planned uses of computers and telecommunications in public and private schools.
Teacher preparation faculty need an understanding of communities' needs for technologically sophisticated high school graduates.
Faculty need to determine the most effective ways to help pre-service teachers master technology skills. (e.g., Should technology capabilities be dealt with in specialized courses? Integrated into many classes? Required prior to entering initial teacher preparation programs?).
Improved Technology Competencies
Faculty development instruction in teacher preparation programs is needed so faculty can learn to use and model existing technology effectively.
Faculty development support is needed in the form of production design teams (i.e., graphic artists, programmers).
Support is needed so faculty can create teaching/learning strategies and products that use technology as channels of delivery. Ownership of developed materials needs to be determined.
Promotion and tenure guidelines and decisions for teacher education faculty should reflect the time and talents used in non-traditional creative scholarship ventures that include production and technical delivery systems.
Improved Resources
Faculty in teacher preparation programs need access to state-of-the-art computers and peripherals in order to create and model effective lessons.
Faculty in teacher preparation programs need access to telecommunications in their offices and in their homes.
Teacher training institutions need an infusion of money and/or gifts to maintain modern learning facilities for students (model classrooms, computer labs, and production capabilities).
Dr. Bill Valmont, Director of Technology
College of Education, University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ 85721
520-621-1386
wvalmont@mail.ed.arizona.edu
Dr. Cathy Gunn
Center for Excellence in Teaching, Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ 86011
520-523-9011
