Technology for Pre-Service Teachers.

Overview & Synopsis

This paper explains how the St. Cloud State University (Minnesota) College of Education is addressing the need for its graduates to be information technology-prepared in order to meet the demands and expectations of today's classroom. Following a summary of research that indicates the need for improved instruction about effective use of technology in education, an overview is provided of a course on media, materials, and methods of instruction. Topics addressed include: (1) prerequisite competencies, including operating system and application skills; (2) course content, including the World Wide Web, bibliographic instruction, trends in educational/instructional technology, communications tools, media and instruction, systematic planning for media use, visual principles and design, nonprojected visuals, projected visuals, audio media, motion media, computers in education, multimedia systems, computer networks, distance education, process technologies, equipment and setups, and copyright; (3) required assignments; (4) other activities; and (5) experimenting with offering the course as part of the elementary education block. (MES)