Technology grants target professional development

Federal grants totaling $1.8 million went to 20 projects designed to improve student achievement through the use of educational technology.

“Our students are surrounded by technology. These grants will help educators capitalize on student interest in technology to create engaging and interactive learning environments that improve academic achievement,” said State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster.

Wisconsin set a priority to require that 60 percent of the state’s Enhancing Education Through Technology competitive grant funds be directed toward professional development that will help educators infuse educational technology into their classroom practice.

“Knowing how to effectively use technology is vital to both students and teachers. We can help educators gain the confidence and experience to use technology as a learning tool that improves student academic performance,” Burmaster said.

Professional development activities that are part of the competitive grants include collaborative teams comprised of a school library media specialist and classroom teachers from the same school. They will engage in activities that focus on integrating instructional technology tools and strategies, including distance networks and emerging e-learning technologies, into daily teaching and learning. The projects are ongoing and aligned with National Staff Development Council Standards. Grant staff development activities relate to the state’s information and technology literacy standards and the district or districts’ combined information and technology plans.

Grants also include data-driven evaluation and a dissemination component to ensure that products and lessons from the projects are shared across the state. Grant recipients may share lesson plans, curriculum maps, professional development programs, and other work products within the consortium and throughout the state through professional workshops, institutes, or conferences; through a web-based clearinghouse or other on-line dissemination sites; or through face-to-face or virtual site visits.

Wisconsin’s $3.1 million Enhancing Education Through Technology grant includes funds awarded on a formula basis and $1.8 million awarded for competitive grants. Competitive grants went to school districts or consortia made up of school districts; cooperative educational service agencies; institutions of higher education; for-profit businesses or organizations involved in the design, production, or application of technology instruction; or public or private nonprofit organizations with expertise in the application of educational technology instruction. Projects serving high-needs schools—schools with a high population of economically disadvantaged students or a school identified for improvement or corrective action under state and federal accountability guidelines—received funding priority. The 20 competitive grants impact 214 school districts.

A list of Title II D: Enhancing Education Through Technology competitive grants is available following the complete press release.

Last updated on 8/21/2006