The University of Northern Iowa College of Education - Summer 2008 - (Page 11)

Technology facilitator UNI only Iowa certificate program Regents university offered in fall offering technology teacher preparation In response to the need for teachers who are technology literate and understand how to use technology as another tool for learning, the Instructional Technology division of UNI’s Curriculum & Instruction Department will offer a Technology Facilitator Certificate program beginning in fall 2008. Leigh Zeitz, associate professor, said this certificate program is the first of its kind in Iowa. “We’re filling a need in several ways by offering this certificate program,” he explained. “Some students do not wish or need our two-year master’s degree program in instructional technology for K-12, so this certificate will give them the skills to become leaders in using technology.” Also, the certificate application states, many school districts are eliminating technology coordinators due to lack of funding, yet teachers are still expected to integrate technology into their classrooms. Because the six required classes for the certificate are currently offered in the master’s degree sequence, the completed certificate coursework can be applied toward a master’s degree, Zeitz noted. “We hope there will be some students in the certificate program who decide to continue for a master’s degree.” The certificate is targeted toward facilitating teaching and learning environments supported by technology. It is aligned to the International Society for Technology in Education’s Technology Facilitator Standards. Required classes are in emergent technology, technology in education, coordinating technology programs, advanced media, principles of publication design and selection and integration of educational technology. “Technology is not the answer to improved learning, but it is another tool for teaching,” Zeitz says. “It provides more ways for students to access learning and increases the experiences in a classroom.” For information on the Technology Facilitator Certificate program, contact Ana Donaldson, Instructional Technology coordinator, 319-273-2724, ana.donaldson@uni.edu. T he Technology Education and Training program offered through the Department of Industrial Technology prepares students to teach technology education or industrial technology at the secondary level (middle school and high school) in Iowa as well as other places around the country. Doug Hotek, associate professor of industrial technology, states there is a critical need for technology teachers across the nation. In Iowa, UNI is the only Regents institution that offers a technology teacher preparation program at the undergraduate level. Technological literacy is a major focus of the program—that is, to know the nature of technology and its effects on society, and to experience problem-solving through engineering design, innovation and practical abilities for living in a technological world. Students also learn to integrate math and science into technology by taking courses in the development, production, use and assessment of technological systems. These include construction, communication, energy and power, manufacturing and transportation. Pre-service teachers can choose an emphasis among these technological systems, indicates Hotek. With secondary school teacher licensure courses offered through the College of Education, and major core and professional courses through the College of Natural Sciences, technology teacher candidates learn to plan their curriculum, apply suitable teaching strategies and methods, and manage both traditional and contemporary instructional laboratories. Modular laboratories (interactive computerized workstations) are now being utilized in approximately 50 percent of Iowa’s secondary schools. To help supply teachers for these labs, UNI’s Technology Education and Training program has developed a modular lab consisting of artificial intelligence, automation and robotics, automotive exploration, computer numerical controlled machining, exploratory electronics, flight simulation, residential design, small engine mechanics and virtual reality. Excellence in Education—Spring/Summer 2008 11

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of The University of Northern Iowa College of Education - Summer 2008

The University of Northern Iowa College of Education - Summer 2008 Contents PLS Recommended For Statewide Mission Iowa Legislature Funds Regents' Math/Science Initiative School Counselors Reinstated For All Iowa School Districts Human Performance Center Dedicated DVDs Illustrate Early Childhood Education Standards UNI Leads in Solving Shortage of Special Education Teachers Iowa Initiative to Reduce Unintended Pregnancies Service to Special Olympics Olympic Champ Brings Coaching Techniques to UNI Meet Tomorrow's Promising Educators Len Froyen Multicultural Initiatives in Teaching Program Technology Facilitator Certificate Program Offered in Fall UNI Only Regents University Offering Technology Teacher Preparation Curriculum and Instruction All-University Professional Development Day Premieres Barb Hill - Known to All Teacher Education Majors Teacher Work Sample - A Window Into Students' Teaching Faculty and Student Award Winners Graduates - Where Are They? Career Notes UNI College of Education Receives 1.1 Million Dollar Gift Scholarship Needed

The University of Northern Iowa College of Education - Summer 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.