Commitment to Enhancing Education Through Digital Technology
Lamar University’s educator preparation programs are dedicated to innovative curricula with in-depth learning opportunities in digital literacy and application. The Texas Education Agency puts forth in §228.30. Educator Preparation Curriculum that the following subject matter shall be included in the curriculum if you are seeking initial certification in any certification class: instruction in digital learning, including a digital literacy evaluation followed by a prescribed digital learning curriculum.
Through digital processing systems integrated in the curricula and promoted in the broader community, candidates in the teacher education program recognize that active learning, knowledge construction, inquiry and exploration through technology are foundational in the education process.
During the first course of the teacher education program, students’ digital literacy/competency is measured through a seven-part Technology Assessment. Data from this assessment help determine pathways for higher usage of technology in pre-service teaching. Curricula in the program are aligned with the ISTE standards for addressing digital teaching traits.
- Empowered Learner
- Knowledge Constructor
- Innovative Designer
- Global Collaborator
- Digital Citizen
- Computational Thinker
- Creative Communicator
Read more about ISTE standards.
Integrated Technology for Candidate and K-12 Learner Success
Each course in the teacher education program is aligned with digital technology and presented in this attached chart.
Online resources are available to pre-service teachers for utilizing digital technology to enhance teaching and the learning process. These recourses include organizational tools, resources, lesson plans, virtual ideas and visits; creativity tools; books, e-books and online textbooks. Download a list of digital resources available to you now.
Technology to Collect, Manage & Analyze Data
Online tools are available to pre-service teachers to assess digitally quantitative and qualitative data relating to the teaching and learning process. See our resources for digital assessment tools.
The culminating experience in the teacher education program is clinical teaching. Clinical teachers are equipped to use technology in their classrooms, based on the ISTE standards. Clinical teachers use a district’s online gradebook, if available and at the minimum use Microsoft Excel to store and analyze grades. A formal observation is conducted specific to how clinical teachers integrate technology in the classroom. See our technology integration rubric.
Clinical teachers plan, teach and analyze lesson plans throughout the field experience and utilize Taskstream-Tk20 electronic portfolio system to store related documents. Using this digital system, you can retrieve and act on feedback from field supervisors and cooperating teachers, as well as create an E-Portfolio for professional purposes.
As part of the E-Portfolio, clinical teachers are reflective practitioners using qualitative (perceptions) and quantitative (scores) data for self-reflection and student success.
