PT3

The Pennsylvania Preparing Tomorrow’s Teachers to Use Technology Catalyst Project (PA-PT3) supports the efforts of student teachers, field-based mentor teachers, and College of Education and College of Arts and Sciences faculty to foster independent inquiry and knowledge development through the use of technology. The program goal and objectives, which guide the project’s interventions and evaluations, are listed below.

The Pennsylvania Academy for the Profession of Teaching and Learning , part of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, received its PT3 grant in 2001 to provide services for nearly 8800 future teachers through partnerships with Bloomsburg University, Clarion University, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Mansfield University, Slippery Rock University, West Chester University, and their professional development schools and K-16 councils.

Purpose

To guarantee that future teachers are proficient in the new learning technologies they will find in their 21st century schools, teacher preparation programs are encouraged to form partnerships that will ensure that teachers have mastered the instructional strategies, learning styles, and content applications enabled by modern learning technologies.

Goals

To improve Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education teacher education graduates' integration of technology into their teaching practices and into their students' learning environment.

Objective 1.

Focuses on strengthening technology integration in preservice teacher education programs by:

• Redesigning university courses to integrate best technology practices
• Coaching teacher preparation faculty to participate in the PA Academy's
  PT3 Electronic Learning Community
• Developing and using web-based, multi-media learning resources, course materials, and teaching tools
• Requiring teacher candidates to demonstrate proficiency based on the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Standards

Objective 2.

Focuses on increasing the proficiency of new teacher graduates to integrate technology into their students' learning environments.

Objective 3.

Focuses on institutional change and systemic reform by:

• Integrating technology into the training programs of preservice teachers
• Disseminating the project outcomes across Pennsylvania
• Extending the electronic learning community across Pennsylvania

Projected Outcomes

• The PT3 Electronic Learning Community will increase the number of technology proficient teachers entering the teaching profession.
• Upon graduation, the preservice teachers who participate in the electronic learning community will meet or exceed the ISTE Standards.
• Increased percentages of preservice teachers will report access to digital content in core academic subjects.

Partners

• PA State System of Higher Education/PA Academy for the Profession of Teaching and Learning
• All P-16 partners in the Clarion Early Childhood Education-17 Council
• Western PA K-16 Council (Indiana and Slippery Rock)
• North Central PA Regional K-16 Council (Mansfield)
• Philadelphia/West Chester PreK-16 Council
• Bloomsburg Teacher Education Council
• Microsoft Corporation

Implementation Strategies

• Outreach Coordinators. The four System universities working with the grant have hired outreach coordinators to work as liaisons between the university and its K-12 partner schools. In addition, each outreach coordinator supports K-16 faculty and preservice teachers with integration of technology into their teaching and their students' learning.
• Face to Face Training. A selected Intermediate Unit provides training on the use of the PT3 web portal and a technology partner will offer "best practices" training across the state. The campus outreach coordinators and the technical specialist offer various training sessions as needs are identified.
• Online Training. Online technology integration is available from the PT3 technology specialist, from other users on the electronic learning community, through training modules, and through mini training workshops.
• Mini-grants. Mini-grants are to be awarded to successful K-12 cooperating teachers and higher education faculty applicants for integration of technology into their teaching. All resources and materials developed are posted on the electronic learning community.
• Electronic Learning Community. The developed electronic learning community is a place where preservice teachers, K-12 cooperating teachers, higher education faculty, and recent teacher education graduates can share information, lessons, teaching strategies, and resources. In addition, all participants work collaboratively on projects, lesson plans and research online. Visit the PA PT3 Educators' Portal

Contact Information

Sandi Sheppeard
Assistant Director
PA Academy for the Profession of Teaching and Learning 
PT3 Project Coordinator
2986 North Second Street 
Harrisburg, PA 17110 
(717) 720-7238 
(717) 720-4447 Fax