Projects
BU-PT3 Grant
In the BU PT3 Project SED faculty and graduate students created a community of learners to study the why and how of using technology in support of teaching and learning and to prepare effective technology-based resources that improve teaching. Faculty collaborated across disciplines and grade levels to share their expertise and learn from each other. Faculty also collaborated with select K-12 teachers, university technology experts, and a carefully selected consortium of educational technology companies to learn more about what constitutes effective use of technology in education.
http://emt.bu.edu/bupt3
ETAC – Educational Technology Advisory Council
Invited members of ETAC are charged with advising the Massachusetts State Board of Education and the Commissioner of Education on policies, current and emerging issues, and management of educational technology resources.
http://www.doe.mass.edu/boe/sac/edtech/
Gaylen Kelley Distance Education Laboratory
The Gaylen Kelley Distance Education Laboratory at the Boston University School of Education enables teachers and students to communicate over distance – across the city or across the globe. In addition to supporting activities such as email, the instructional use of the WWW, and video conferencing that have become normal extensions of university education, the Gaylen Kelley Distance Education Laboratory also will allow courses to be conducted both synchronously and asynchronously with multiple students at multiple locations.
http://emt.bu.edu/program/GKDEL/general_info.html
EM&T KBC
EM&T KBC is a web-based educational software program that supports the Educational Media and Technology Knowledge Building Community at Boston University School of Education. This resource reflects the work of scholars Marlene Scardamlia and Carl Bereiter, who developed ideas of using database technology in support of knowledge building communities.
http://emt.bu.edu/kbc/
Universal Design and Assistive Technology
On-line tutorial about using assistive technology to create instructional access for students with disabilities. Sudents will create or redesign a web-based educational resource that meets accessibility guidelines using their understanding of:
- assistive technology devices and services
- federal policy on assistive technology
- the relationship between the principle of universal design for learning (UDL) and assistive technology;
- conceptual models based on UDL for planning multi-level instruction;
- the impact of disabilities on web access
- accessibility guidelines for web design
Techne
The Techne project helps learners and teachers to think about the meaning of technology, past, present, and future. Although designed primarily for learners in grades 5-8, the Techne project is easily extensible to both lower and upper grades. We have been surprised with how people of all ages are eager to talk about the meaning of technology.
The Techne project is comprised of three major parts designed for sequential navigation – at least the first time through. That said, not to worry, frequent users will find convenient shortcuts to any section of the Techne project.
Users new to the Techne project should start by viewing the interviews on the “What is Technology?” page. Each interview is a minute or two so this will not take long. After viewing at least four of the interviews, please go on to the Techne movie. The movie is a little over five minutes and is easily integrated into a classroom period. After completing the movie, to which you can return at any time, please go on to the Techne WebQuest. The WebQuest is a more substantial interactive activity that has two major levels. The interactions on these levels should take a few hours each but are also easily extensible for deeper consideration. Finally, users who have completed the Web Quest tasks should upload their work to the Techne Lexicon web site.
http://emt.bu.edu/techne/
Teacher as Software Developer
Technology Literacy Challenge Grant (1998-2000). Grant program for pre-service and in-service teachers in collaboration with Concord Public Schools, Concord, Massachusetts. Massachusetts State Department of Education Technology Literacy Challenge grant. 1998-2000. (in press).
