FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 17,1999
Contact:
David R. Taylor, WIU (309) 298-1690
Diane Wagner. Ameritech (312)727-3912
WESTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY RECEIVES $250,000 AMERITECH GRANT FOR TECHKNOWLEDGY PROJECT EXTENSION
MACOMB, IL -- Western Illinois University's College of Education and Human Services (COEHS) has been awarded $250,000 from the Ameritech Foundation to extend the proven WIU-Ameritech TechKnowledgy Project to address the needs of Illinois teachers who will be required to meet the new teaching technology standards mandated for Illinois recertification.
During the last two years, the WIU-Ameritech TechKnowledgy Project and its Virtual Teaching and Learning Community (VTLC), a telecommunications-based staff development system, were established to meet the staff development needs of teachers and administrators currently working in Illinois schools. Through funds provided by Ameritech and with the support of the Illinois State Board of Education, Western Illinois University was able to address Illinois' need for intensive, ongoing teacher training in the effective use of communication technologies. The project's on-line training, technical support and peer collaboration empowered the educational community to build teacher skills and a network to share technology rich classroom experiences.
"This award cements an already strong partnership between Ameritech and the College of Education and Human Services. It also demonstrates the commitment of Ameritech to helping the teachers of Illinois meet the new technology standards currently being established by the Illinois State Board of Education," said COEHS Dean David R. Taylor. "We are extremely pleased that this award will enable us to move the TechKnowledgy Project into the next century."
Taylor added that due to the overwhelming response and documented need for the on-line training offered through the TechKnowledgy Project, Ameritech granted this award to COEHS in order to leverage the widely recognized success of the project for two purposes. The first is to expand the existing content of the VTLC and develop new on-line training modules based on state technology standards. The expansion will provide teachers the training, support, and communication links necessary for their continued success in the classroom.
Secondly, WIU will continue to support school districts as they attempt to infuse technology into their staff development planning. Project staff will work with school districts to implement the new technology standards and maximize the resources available through the VTLC. School districts will be encouraged to make the VTLC a permanent and integral element of their staff development and district technology plans.
"Ameritech is proud to support Western Illinois University in a partnership that will enable teachers to meet the state technology standards mandated by law as well as creatively integrate communication technologies into their classrooms and curriculum" said Doug Whitley, president of Ameritech Illinois. "WIU's leadership in technology training for teachers has resulted in improved student learning and performance; Ameritech is pleased to be a continuing partner in this effort."
Ameritech (NYSE: AIT) has a strong tradition of giving back to the communities it serves. Last year, the company contributed nearly $27.2 million to more than 3,800 nonprofit organizations, and Ameritech Pioneers - some 42,700 employees and retirees throughout the Midwest volunteered 482,000 hours of community service by supporting health and human services, civic and community projects and educational and arts programs. Ameritech provides a full range of communications services, serving millions of customers in 50 states and 40 countries.
The alliance between Ameritech and WIU dates back to 1993 when COEHS was selected as the one Illinois teacher preparation institution to receive the Governor's Ameritech Ed Tech Grant to enhance infusion of technology into the teacher education curriculum. In 1997, COEHS received a $500,000 grant from Ameritech to work with the Illinois State Board of Education and its Learning Technology Hubs to address Illinois' need for intensive, ongoing teacher training in the effective use of communication technologies. This latest grant further establishes Ameritech's commitment to the quality of education in Illinois.
The College of Education and Human Services at Western Illinois University prepares professionals to meet the humanistic and technological challenges in our changing society.
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