Student Technology Day at Wayne State University
February 25, 2004

With support from a mini-grant from COATT, Wayne State University’s College of Education held its first annual Student Technology Day on February 25, 2004.  The half-day event was designed specifically to introduce pre-service student teachers to a variety of education technology products and examples of how they can be integrated into the curriculum.

Approximately 200 pre-service student teachers seized the opportunity to learn about technology applications to enhance the learning experience.  Students chose from a variety of conference sessions including presentations by faculty, staff, alumni and students.  Session topics ranged from digital story telling to e-portfolios, and included demonstrations of various technologies, such as SmartBoards and handheld computers.  Faculty presenters covered the university’s design for education, integration of technology into the core curriculum areas of math, science and reading literacy, as well as adaptive technologies to meet individual student needs. In addition, students had the opportunity to explore the displays of over 50 education technology vendors and win prizes donated by various vendors.

Funding for the COATT “Mini-Grant” program is provided through a Department of Education Preparing Tomorrow’s Teachers to Use Technology (PT3) award to COATT.  The mini-grants provide up to $2,000 in matching funds for COATT member institutions that provide professional development to help prepare pre-service or first-year teachers to integrate technology in the classroom. Efforts may extend to practicing teachers where the focus is on building their effectiveness in mentoring student teachers in technology integration. More information on the program and award criteria can be found at http://www.coatt.org/about/resources/archive_funds.html#overview.