MUNCIE, Ind. – Apple Staff Development workshop graduates nationwide now can earn graduate credit from Ball State University as a result of a new collaborative arrangement announced Monday.

The workshops are designed to help teachers use computer technology in their classrooms. They bring participants together with certified Apple trainers for a minimum of two days of direct instruction and cooperative learning and are based on 10 years of Apple Classrooms of Tomorrow (ACOT) project research.

"We believe this arrangement will encourage more teachers to take advantage of this opportunity to deepen their understanding of technology and curriculum integration, and thus result in more effective classroom practices," said Debra Rein, senior product manager for Apple’s Staff Development offerings. "We are pleased to work with Ball State University with its long, rich history in teacher education and clear commitment to educational technology leadership."

Ball State President John E. Worthen said the new relationship is a natural extension of the university’s longstanding commitment to using the latest technology to enhance teaching and learning.

"Helping teachers and administrators to use technology as a classroom tool to improve teaching and speed the sharing of information for decision-making purposes are key elements of our technology goals," said Worthen, "Working with Apple, which has been dedicated from its outset to supporting teachers and administrators to become more effective users of appropriate technologies, is a perfect match with our efforts."

Workshop topics include the Apple Education Series Integration Workshop, Multimedia and Curriculum Integration, Technology and Curriculum Integration, Internet and Curriculum Integration, Mobile Computing and Curriculum Integration, Teacher Technology Leadership, Technology Specialist Leadership and Principal and Administrator Technology Leadership.

Graduate credit for Apple Staff Development’s online courses is under development and should be available in September. Ball State is an 18,000-student public doctoral university in Muncie, Ind.

By Jeffrey W. Alford, Executive Director

(NOTE TO EDITORS AND NEWS DIRECTORS: for more information on this story contact Teachers College Dean Roy Weaver at rweaver@bsu.edu.)