Overview

In our classrooms today, teaching and learning happen at the speed of technology. From computers in the classroom to text-messaging cell phones to trading digital media, comfort and expertise with the tools of modern communication are driving schools to build innovative methods to teach our children . We are seeing rapid shifts in the tools and in the methods that work best in educating these new generations of technology-savvy learners. For years, state and federal agencies have been concerned about "wiring" our schools – providing the hardware. Here, in the College of Education, we have been just as focused on preparing new teachers with the skills and knowledge to turn today's technology into tomorrow's outstanding students.

1:1 (pronounced "one to one") Computing is an initiative we've seen many of our peers in the educational world adopt over the past several years. The concept is simple – a laptop computer for each student enrolled in a program and access to a laptop computer for each faculty. With the rapid shifts in the use of technology by K-12 students, in and out of the classroom, combined with the significant increase in the use of computers and digital media in College of Education teacher preparation programs, it has become clear that adoption of a 1:1 Computing iniative has tremendous promise for enhancing the educational experiences of our students, academically at the University of Illinois, and for years to come in the job market.

Beginning with the admission class of fall 2005, we are strongly recommending that each student bring to school a laptop computer that meets a set of minimum performance standards (http://www.ed.uiuc.edu/onetoone/laptops.html).. In order to allow for the greatest flexibility and convenience for our students, specifications for both Macintosh and PC-based computers are available. In addition, we have negotiated special, discounted prices for the recommended configurations. The cost for these laptops range from $1098 to $2205.

The use of computers by teacher education students is already a part of many of our courses, as well as integrated into student teaching experiences and field observations. We are working with our faculty and our students to continue to evaluate and lay the foundation for this new direction in our program. How will we support these students on the technical side? How will we ensure that the cost of the laptop is outweighed by the value of ownership? How do we ensure our courses take full advantage of these new tools? Students, faculty and staff will all be involved in answering these questions and in ensuring a program that enhances the educational experience for all of our teacher preparation candidates.

As a leader in technology, the College of Education was one of the first academic units on campus to promote wireless computer technology and pioneers many other technological initiatives for the campus. Almost all of the classrooms in the College feature recently updated state-of-the-art technology. The College is also one of the first undergraduate programs to pursue a 1:1 Computing Initiative with its students. The benefits of such a program are numerous. Technology permits the design of lessons that are innovative and that support authentic and inquiry based learning. Technology supports student performance in critical thinking and analysis and affords them opportunities to research and explore complex ideas and systems.

Our graduates are among the most-recruited new teachers in the country each spring. A recent national recruiting fair on campus saw a number of our seniors receive job offers and signing bonuses -- on the spot -- from schools from Chicago to Florida. Our faculty win campus and national awards for their teaching and for their mentorship of students. Our building is wired with educational technologies and networks more advanced than most. Step by step, ,we invest new resources -- both financial and human -- in creating an exceptional student experience. This student-centered philosophy leads to outstanding performances in our courses, but, more importantly, it leads to outstanding new teachers in our schools.

Acceptance into one of our teacher preparation programs is a significant accomplishment. Space is limited and the competition is stiff. We demand a great deal of these students who choose a path that will lead them into one of the most challenging working environments in the world – a K-12 classroom. In return, we make each of our new students a promise: We will provide the academic knowledge and the practical skills to meet these challenges.

Since our founding in 1918 the College of Education has made and kept that promise to each new class by constantly looking for new opportunities, methods and ideas. Innovations such as the implementation of 1:1 Computing will ensure that we continue to keep that promise in the decades to come.