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Technology Integration Project Inaugurated |
| On February 21 a group of tutors attended a workshop that launched the Technology Integration Project, a program supported by grants from the Easley Foundation and the Titmus Foundation. As explained by Marcia Swain, CALL's Program Coordinator, the goal of this project is to add technology literacy to the reading, writing, and mathematical skills we already teach. The need is clear: to function effectively in today's world, a person must have a basic understanding of what computer technology offers, and how to access it. As a corollary, the ability to use the internet opens vast resources for improving reading, writing, and mathematical skills.
The $5000 awarded by the two granting agencies allowed the purchase of three desktop systems, two laptops, an LCD projector, and USB flash drives for students and tutors. After reviewing this new equipment, Marcia explained the main phases of the project: To incorporate computers into our sessions with students, to offer classes in applications like word processing and searching the internet, and to produce a community-authored cookbook as a culminating activity.
To kick things off, the tutors all completed preliminary surveys of their computer skills, |
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and were asked to administer similar questionnaires to their students. Results from these initial surveys will be compared with responses to questionnaires given at the end of the project to help evaluate its effectiveness. Tutors were also asked to complete at least three Thinkfinity courses by the end of the year. Both tutors and students are expected to start thinking about favorite recipes that they would like to submit for the cookbook; limiting ourselves to just one recipe apiece is likely to prove difficult!
Tutors showed enthusiasm for the project, and offered specific ideas during the general discussion. A forum for sharing our experiences will be set up on the Web, and another workshop will be scheduled in the spring. |
