News from Trinity University

Discussing funds for a teaching laboratory are Angela Breidenstein, associate professor of education; Congressman Lamar Smith; and Trinity University President John R. Brazil.

SAN ANTONIO – When the digital divide hits public school teachers, students from kindergarten to 12^th grade lose out. To close this learning gap, Trinity University is creating an Educators’ Technology Teaching Laboratory for Trinity students as well as San Antonio area educators. Funding is provided by an appropriations bill approved by President Bush and sponsored by U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith, R-San Antonio.

Congressman Smith was at Trinity today to announce the $146,000 grant to establish the teaching laboratory. “Teaching is one of the most honorable professions in America, and Trinity is a leader in preparing many students to enter this profession,” Congressman Smith said during a news conference in the AT&T Center for Learning and Technology on the Trinity campus. “Teachers have one of the greatest responsibilities – that of educating our children.”

Trinity is a nationally recognized leader in teacher preparation programs and in the continuing education of in-service teachers. Trinity offers three master’s degree programs in teacher education, school leadership, and school psychology. The laboratory will enhance existing curricula in these areas and boost ongoing professional development for area educators by promoting student learning.

Trinity University President John R. Brazil applauded Congressman Smith’s support of the laboratory that will promote student learning and increase the effective professional practice of teaching. “This project is intended to be a model of how to prepare teachers to work with technology in the classroom,” Dr. Brazil said.

Paul Kelleher, Murchison Distinguished Professor and chair of Trinity’s Education Department, said the technology revolution has the potential to transform teaching and learning in San Antonio and throughout the country. “It will, first, enable us to integrate emerging technologies into our instruction. Perhaps more important, with faculty guidance and support, our aspiring school teacher-leaders will be able to develop their knowledge and skills of these technologies in the service of teaching learning,” he said.

In preparing the request for funding, Trinity educators noted that teacher education programs for college students and in-service programs for practicing teachers traditionally have not adequately prepared them to incorporate technology into teaching. Further, support systems for technology in school districts have become too expensive, forcing districts to shy away from preparing teachers to teach with technology.

Trinity’s teaching laboratory in the Storch Memorial Building will include advanced networking, laptop computers, and a central teaching station with appropriate technology and videoconferencing to support distance education operations.

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