Sacred Heart University has been identified by Intel Corporation as “one of the most unwired college campuses in America” in recognition of the University’s commitment to wireless technology to assist student learning. This investment permits the Unit’s Candidates to access the internet and their university-provided email accounts from any location on campus at any time. All classrooms on the Institution’s main campus and Cambridge Campus are fully equipped with state-of-the-art educational technology.The Unit is committed to developing the ability to understand, integrate and effectively utilize current and emerging technologies and strategies in instruction and across the curriculum to help all students learn. All initial certification Candidates are required to take course number ED271/578 “Introduction to Computers in Education” or ED592 “Advanced PC Applications”. The Unit also provides an opportunity for Candidates for the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree to obtain their degree with a Concentration in Educational Technology by taking an additional four courses in Educational Technology as part of fulfilling their MAT course requirements.
Throughout the academic year the Institution offers a variety of programs in educational technology in which Unit faculty are invited to participate and to share their experiences with the use of technology to enhance student learning. These programs range from monthly “lunch and learn” type programs to a week-long intensive Summer Technology Institute for which faculty members receive a stipend for participating. These programs are conducted by the University’s Director of Instructional Technology whose office is dedicated to helping faculty members become more skilled in the application of technology in the classroom.
Additional evidence of the Unit’s commitment to technology is demonstrated by the fact that in any given semester a number of courses are offered to Candidates in fully online or blended formats through the use of Blackboard technology. The Unit also utilizes Web Advisor technology to enable faculty members to be of more assistance to Candidates. Also, as articulated previously in this document, the Unit has contracted with an outside supplier to develop a customized online data collection and assessment tracking system known as e-STAR to facilitate the Unit’s use of data in making changes to its programs.
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