Ball State University has created a new program to help teachers improve their technological proficiency.

The Educational Technology program, which includes Indiana's first computer education teaching license, is offered through the Department of Educational Studies in Teachers College.

The program has been designed to complement existing teaching licenses, emphasizing teaching first and technology second, said Matthew Stuve, assistant professor of educational technology.

"We're trying to promote digital literacy," he said. "Most kids are aces at instant messaging but aren't learning how to use computers to better understand science or mathematics. This program will help teachers harness students' enthusiasm for technology and guide it in the classroom."

Educational technology courses will instruct teachers, administrators and undergraduate students majoring in education on how to use the latest technological tools and to better incorporate them into the curriculum.

Infusing technology into teaching will allow teachers to act as translators between information technology staff and the teaching staff. Bringing the two areas of expertise together will result in more effective instruction, Stuve said.

"This emerging literacy is underutilized by many educators, yet it is a concept readily embraced by students," Stuve said. "How children read media has changed, but teaching has not. Taking advantage of new educational tools such as Web-based materials and other digital media can help improve learning."

The new program offerings include:

• Computer education teaching license (21 credit hours): The program is not a stand-alone license but complements an existing teaching license. It is available at the undergraduate and graduate levels and is designed to prepare participants to serve as building-level technology facilitators.
• Master's degree in curriculum and educational technology (30 to 33 credit hours): The degree is intended to strengthen K-12 teachers' and specialists' foundation in technologies for teaching and learning.
• Library media teaching major and computer education license (46 to 49 credit hours): This program allows candidates to earn two licenses in one undergraduate program and has been designed to meet new standards for library/media teachers.
• Educational technology minor (15 credit hours): The program emphasizes digital media and Web development for undergraduate students wanting to become media developers or trainers.
• Graduate assistantships that include tuition waivers and pay a monthly stipend are available on a competitive basis for students interested in conducting development, outreach and research in educational technology.
• A doctoral cognate in curriculum and educational technology is available for advanced students seeking careers in research and evaluation.

"The computer education license reflects national standards as a benchmark for technology coordinators at schools and perhaps at the district level," Stuve said. "The master's program will become the benchmark for district leadership in educational technology and curriculum integration."

For more information, call the Department of Educational Studies at (765) 285-5460, e-mail edtec@bsu.edu or visit www.bsu.edu/edtec.

  

(Note to Editors: For more information, contact Stuve at (765) 285-5484 or mjstuve@bsu.edu.)