UTeach Initiative Aims To Improve STEM Ed with Mobile Tech
The UTeach
Institute, a teacher preparation organization launched by
the University of
Texas at Austin, has launched
a program designed to help aspiring teachers use mobile devices to
encourage student learning and interest in science, technology,
engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Dubbed the Verizon Innovative Learning Schools Higher Education
program, the initiative pairs "math and science majors pursuing
secondary teaching certification through UTeach programs [to] work with
K-12 students, integrating mobile technologies into inquiry-based
lessons," according to a news release, in an effort to expand "the
resources and instructional tools available to teachers to engage
students in relevant and exciting applications of math and science."
The initiative will also develop lesson plans and resources for
integrating mobile technology into STEM education to be inclused with
UTeach curriculum at the organization's 35 participating universities.
In addition to UT Austin, the program is currently available to
UTeach
students at the University
of Colorado at Boulder, the University of
Kansas at Lawrence and the University of Massachusetts at Lowell, with
plans to expand to four more UTeach universities in early 2014.
"While the future teachers we will one day graduate are very tech
savvy, it's one thing for them to use that technology personally, and
another thing entirely to use it to help kids learn and achieve," said
Michael Marder, executive director, UTeach Science Program, in a
prepared statement. "This program we've launched with the Verizon
Foundation is needed today as more students and classrooms across the
country have mobile devices. The training we're providing our students
will help them better use mobile devices as learning tools."
In support of the program, Verizon
has donated more than $1 million in
cash and hardware, including more than 400 Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1
tablets with LTE service.
Go to uteach-institute.org
to learn more about the UTeach Institute.
About the Author
Joshua Bolkan is contributing editor for Campus Technology, THE Journal and STEAM Universe. He can be reached at [email protected].