Washburn University Department of Education

Technology Handbook

Vision for Technology

Washburn University’s Education Department (EPP)recognizes the importance of using technology in all components of the teacher preparation program. The EPP works towardssystematic use of technologies in all facets to engage and empower everyone in the learning community.

TheEPP is committed to the use of state-of-the-art technologies by all stakeholders in their academic and professional pursuits.Technology is used by faculty and candidates in all programs for teaching and learning.These technologies enhance the teaching and learning process by providing a means for communication, collaboration, assessment, research, and active learning.

Technologies are used for assessment by enabling the electronic gatheringof data. The data can then be processed, stored, and analyzed for data-driven decisions. Communications technologies such as email and Desire2Learn (D2L is Washburn’s LMS) also provide a means of communication between students, teachers, staff, administrators, teachers, and schools.

Technology and Information Literacy

Technology and Information Literacy are emphases of both the university and the EPP.This commitment is reflected in the universities general education Student Learning Outcome requirements.One of the five SLO’s all candidates in the university are to demonstrate is in regards to information literacy:

“Information literacy and technology involves the ability to locate, select, use and evaluate information obtained from appropriate electronic and/or printed resources, including a critical analysis of the information and the credibility of the sources of information.It also involves the ability to use technology to research, organize, present and/or communicate information in meaningful ways.Additionally, information literacy and technology includes skills such as the ability to understand the development of technology and its impact on society, the ability to understand and use existing technologies and information to address real-world issues, and the ability to recognize emerging technological trends and their possible impact on the future.” (WU Academic Catalog). Required of all WU candidates

Reflection on the Role of Technology in Teaching and Learning

Technology has also been a focus of the EPPs’ conceptual framework for some time. However, in 2015 this emphasis was expanded by adding a specific technology focus which is embedded throughout the program: “Educators are aware that education is impacted by the digital age in a variety of ways, and at multiple levels. They reflect on how technology influences the nature of the work they perform as educators with their candidates, and with their colleagues and the broader educational community.They understand that candidates arrive at school with varying amounts of technological and digital experiences. They reflect on how to shape learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and technology to enhance content knowledge for all student, while at the same time prepare them with skills and dispositions needed to function in a digitally driven world. Educators also engage in critical reflection of the educative merit of digital media and technologies for their candidates’ growth and their own professional development.”

In addition, technology is woven into all ofthe dimensions of the units’ conceptual framework and these include:

Reflection on Self as an Emerging, Developing, and Maturing Professional – Technology continues to play an ever expanding role in the teaching and learning process. The EPP will provide practices and experiences for candidates to develop their beliefs and values of using technology for instruction.

Reflection on the Context of Teaching and Learning – The EPP will provide candidates with the tools and pedagogy to develop effective teaching practices. Students will understand how technology is changing the face of education and how those technologies can address diverse learners and learning situations.

Reflection on Methods and Materials – Current and emerging technologies demand that educators be insightful in the choice of methods, materials, and technologies to enhance and improve the teaching and learning process. The EPP will continue to acquire new technologies that enhance the experience of candidates.

Reflection on Student Differences – Technologies offer varied ways for learners to learn and interact with the world. The EPP is committed to using technologies for engaging diverse learners.

Reflection on Assessment as a Process for Change – Technologies offer effective ways to gather, collect, and analyze data. The EPP will use technology to evaluate candidates and assess the effectiveness of student experiences.

Reflection on Content – Technology offers a wide variety of ways for candidates and instructors to interact with information and each other. These technologies empower and enhance the teaching and learning process.

Mission for Technology

The mission for technology in the EPP is to prepare candidates for a future of life-long learning and the effective use of technology in their educational settings by:

• integrating technology into all facets of the educational process.

• providing access to effective learning technologies.

• providing training and support for staff, faculty, and candidates in the use of technology tools.

• encouraging communication and collaboration for all members of the learning community.

• fostering creative use and competence in using educational technologies using ISTE standards.

•providing online courses and resources.

Deay Computer Laboratory and Carnegie Hall TechnologyBackground

The Deay Computer Laboratory is located in Carnegie Hall, home to the EPP of Education. During the 1998 NCATE/KSDE accreditation visit, the Lab was evaluated as having inadequate and out-of-date hardware, and the EPP was cited with an area of weakness in terms of technology resources. In the summer of 2001, the Education Department entered into a collaborative relationship with the Computer Information Systems (CIS) Department that led to purchase of new hardware for the Deay Educational Technology Laboratory. Basically, the EPP’s facility became an “open lab,” meaning that the CIS Department would be able to offer classes in the Deay Computer Lab.

The Education Department was able to remove X-terminals and replace them with 23 Dell workstations. A projection system was also added to the lab. An updated projection and multimedia system with DVD/VHS capability was also added to Deay Lab in the spring of 2003 along with SychronEyes classroom control software. A Smartboard was also added to the lab.

There were two significant infrastructure improvements in the 2003-04 school year including wireless laptops for faculty and the mediation of two classrooms. Carnegie Hall has wireless access which provides internet connections in all areas of the building. These laptops had Microsoft Office productivity software which allows the instructors to incorporate PowerPoint presentations into their classes.

In the summer of 2007, the Dell computers in Deay Lab were replaced with Apple iMacs that could dual-boot into both OS X and Windows. These were then replaced in the summer of 2012 with 23 more iMacs that had 22 inch screens. In 2011 a new projector and VCR/DVD player were installed. In 2016 a new HD projector and audio system were installed. The computers in the lab are currently on schedule to be replaced within the next two years.

Along with the new hardware, Carnegie Hall, home to professional education programs and one of the oldest building on the Washburn campus, was rewired and a 4006-chassis switch capable of voice data and video transmission was added to the building. The new switch also allowed for wireless technology, increased speed, and for additional technology in the future, without having to replace the switch.

With the rewiring of Carnegie came the installation of projection systems and computers in all the classrooms. Room 207, which the EPP controls, had a projector and computer installed in 2011. Also added in 207 in 2014 was a Canon camcorder with tripod, MimioTeach, and 22” iMac. A Promethean Interactive Whiteboard was installed in room 304 in 2013.

Current and Updated Technologies

The EPP has been steadily improving its technology infrastructure and currently has a variety of technologies available for candidate and faculty use.

Deay Lab has twenty-three Apple iMac dual-boot computers which can run both Windows and MacOS. There is also a new HD Projector and audio system. There is a SMART Board installed on the wallas well as a portable one which can be moved to other rooms. Other technologies in the lab include a document camera, laser printer, eInstruction Classroom Performance System (clickers), and Lego EV3 Mindstorms robotic kits.

Software in the lab includes Microsoft Office, LEGO EV3 Mindstorms programming apps, iMovie, and programs for Promethean Boards, SMART Boards, and MimioTeach. There is also a variety of other programs and utilities available.

Housed on the third floor of Carnegie Hall is an iPad charging cart with 20 iPads. These iPads can be used in the building for any course. For example, the iPads have been used in a middle school STEM camp for programming and in the Creative Experiences class where they produced stop-motion videos using green screen. Faculty can request to have specific apps installed.

Carnegie 207, the conference room, was updatedin 2014 with modular furniture, a Canon camcorder, tripod, lapel microphone, and MimioTeach to allow candidates and faculty to practice and create presentations, as well as other creative products.

The Carnegie Education Library in Carnegie 101 has a number of technologies available for use. These include Canoncamcorders, Flip Mino video cameras, QuickCam Pro 9000 web cameras, and Canon PowerShot cameras. Early childhood technologies also in the library includeLeapDesk Workstation, Leapster Multimedia Learning Systems, BeeBots, and LeapFrog LeapPads.

The classrooms (200, 204, 300, 304, 306) all have computers, projectors, and VHS/DVD players. Room 200 and 306 have document cameras. Room 304 has Promethean Interactive Whiteboard.

There is a digital sign outside the office which provides for updated news and information.

The EPP’s learning technologies page is here

There is a list of technologies in Carnegie Hall classrooms linked on that page.

Acquisitions of NewTechnologies and Technology Up-dates

To add and update technologies in the EPP, the Technology Committee submits requests to the university each year. The Technology Committee surveys faculty and staff to determine what technologies are in need of updating and what new technologies are needed to support faculty teaching and student learning. Recent technologies added to the EPP include a Promethean Interactive Whiteboard, a cart of 20 iPads, Lego EV3 Mindstorms robotic kits, a digital sign for information display, document cameras in three classrooms, and a MimioTeach.

The university provides updates and new installations of some technologies such as projectors, document cameras, screens, and audio equipment on an as needed basis. Faculty computers are replacedon a rotation basis every few years (between four and six years) depending on available funds.

Technologies for Assessment and Unit Operations

The majority of the unit assessments are conducted via digital means.Several of our assessments or surveys are administered through Jotform such as our Follow-up study of building principals, the student teaching summary evaluation, the evaluation of mentor teachers, course evaluations, and the advising survey. Data from ETS is obtained electronically and input electronically into our EPP database.The course evaluations conducted by the EPP and the college at the end of each semester are also done electronically.

The following items are among those completed electronically:

  • Initial and advanced candidate admission applications
  • Scholarship applications
  • Professional Reference Forms
  • Student teaching applications
  • Course/faculty evaluations
  • Advising survey
  • Student teaching summary evaluations
  • Impact on Student Learning (nonacademic)
  • Follow up survey of principals
  • Data obtained on praxis scores from ETS
  • KPTP data from KSDE
  • Mentor teacher evaluations
  • Reports on grades and program completers obtained from Banner

EDMS

The Education Data Management System is an Access relational database used by the unit to collect, manage, store and analyze data. Data collected and managed in EDMS includes admission data, advisors, KPTP scores, ETS Praxis I and II scores, contact information, field experiences, jobs obtained by candidates after graduation, completer accomplishments, and program completers. All faculty and staff have access to EDMS.

Integration with Banner

The EPP does exchange information and data with the WU Banner system. The primary information obtained from Banner usually focuses on grades and transcript data. Data on Praxis I and Praxis II assessments is obtained electronically from ETS and input electronically into our EPP database. However, these scores are also input directly into the Banner system as a back-up but to also allow us to produce more complete program completer reports via the Argos reporting tool. In the last several years we have also generated information on admitted candidates and grades in specific classes linked to licensure programs from Banner.

It should be noted that the unit was encouraged at our last NCATE visit to more fully integrate with the WU Banner system and for several years we attempted to do that. However, the data our unit collects is not always easily connected to Banner and getting reports out of Banner has required a third party, the office of Statistical Analysis and Reporting. We continue to look for ways to integrate with Banner.

EDMS contains information on admissions, content test scores, advisors, jobs, KPTP scores, field placements, and disposition issues. Data is often input and downloaded to EDMS without much typing to reduce the change of errors.

Education EPP and Local School Technology Partnerships

For the past three years, the EPP has held a summer STEM camp partnering with Topeka Schools USD 501. The camp was two weeks long with middle school students. The students learned science and physics content, experimented with materials, used iPads, and programmed computers using Alice.

An instructor worked with students at Pauline South Intermediate School (Auburn-Washburn USD 437) creating a website for showcasing student work on a solar system project.

EPP and Local School Technologies

The EPP strives to mirror technologies used in our local school districts. This will help our candidates to learn the technologies they will use when teaching in the schools. For example, the local school districts use three different kinds of interactive whiteboards. USD 501 Topeka has standardized on Promethean boards, so we installed one in Carnegie 304. The Promethean software is also taught in ED 300. USD 345 Seaman and USD 437 Auburn-Washburn both use SMARTBoards. There are two SMARTBoards in Deay Lab. Candidates are given demonstrations of the SMARTBoard software in ED 300 and can use the software in courses and field experiences. USD 450 Shawnee Heights uses MimioTeach. The EPP has a MimioTeach which is demonstrated in ED 300 and available for candidate to use.

For computers, the local districts use both Windows and Macintosh. The iMacs in Deay Lab are dual boot with both Windows and MacOS so that our candidates can get experience on both. USD 450 Shawnee Heights has implemented a one-to-one iPad program so the EPP acquired the iPad cart. USD 501 Topeka is currently moving to Chromebooks so the EPP is planning to get a set of Chromebooks to use. The EPP strives to match the technologies that schools are using so the candidates have some experience in the program.

EPP Use of Social Media

The EPP uses a Facebook page to send notices of information and to share information and pictures about items of interest to students. Our internal surveys have indicated that candidates most prefer email for communication.

Faculty Technology Adoptions

Facultyare provided with computers and productivity software in their offices.For printing, faculty have a shared laser printer on the third floor and can print to the copier/scanner in the Education office.

Washburn University has provided a learning management system for faculty and candidate use for many years. WebCT and Angel have been used in the past, but in 2012 the university chose Desire2Learn as its LMS. All online faculty use D2L for entire courses while face-to-face faculty use it for course materials, communication, and assessments. All Master degree and licensure programs are online through D2L.

Faculty Use of Technology

Faculty use technologies in all aspects of their professional work forteaching, research, assessment, scholarship, record keeping, and administrative work. A survey was given to faculty which found that faculty use technology for instruction, assessment and communication.

In teaching, faculty incorporate a wide variety of technologies. These include technologies such as Desire2Learn, videos, PowerPoint, document cameras, library journal databases, Dragon Naturally Speaking, digital calculators, Word, Excel, on-line discussion boards, computerized IEP’s and iPads. They also use many online tools likePrezi, Infographics, YouTube, Google Drive, Weebly, Poll Everywhere and Class Dojo. Some faculty also use bring-your-own-device (BYOD) models in the classroom.