In many families, children are the experts when it comes to using technology. Children are comfortable with different forms of technology at home, from the latest electronic gadget to surfing the Internet for instant information. However, it is often a different story at school where many teachers have little access and even less experience using technology in the classroom. A new regional initiative hopes to change that by putting new technology in the hands--and lesson plans--of future teachers.

The Building Teams and Tools for Teaching (BT3) Consortium was formed to address the issue of technology in education. Funded through an $800,000 U. S. Department of Education grant, the three-year program will focus on preparing tomorrow’s teachers to use technology in the classroom. Recognizing the effective use of technology requires teachers who are trained, supported, and prepared to incorporate such technologies into their classrooms, the BT3 program seeks to promote reform of university teacher preparation programs. The consortium will be led by three higher education institutions; St. Edward’s University, University of the Incarnate Word, and Concordia University, working with 15 public and private K-12 institutions, and two independent, not-for-profit organizations.

From the member institutions, the BT3 Consortium program forms teams of student interns, mentor teachers, university faculty, and technology assistants who will work together to learn about computer software and hardware and to develop technology-rich curricula. Intern teachers will be trained to incorporate technology into their curriculum and instruction. Mentor teachers and university faculty also will learn to incorporate technology into their lessons while gaining valuable experience and training enabling them to serve as more effective role models to future generations of teachers and students. The ultimate goal of the BT3 project is to create and implement an effective model of teacher preparation that infuses technology into the curriculum at the three participating universities. This model will be made available to other universities to use as a guide when restructuring their curriculums to include technology training.

For more information visit the PT3 website at http://www.stedwards.edu/pt3.

BT3 Program
St. Edward’s University
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Consortium Members include three universities:
St. Edward's University
Concordia University at Austin
University of the Incarnate Word

15 public and private K-12 institutions:
Austin Independent School District:
Allison Elementary School, Becker Elementary School, Blackshear Elementary School, Johnston High School, Martin Junior High School, Travis High School

Judson Independent School District:
Candlewood Elementary, Elolf Elementary

Private schools:
Hope Lutheran School
Redeemer Lutheran School
St. Andrew Episcopal School
St. Austin School
St. Ignatius Martyr School
St. Michael’s Academy
St. Paul Lutheran School

Two independent, not-for-profit organizations:
Southwest Educational Development Laboratory (SEDL)
The Teaching and Learning with Technology Group (an affiliate of the American Association for Higher Education)

St. Edward's University is an independent Catholic liberal arts university of 4,100 students in Austin, Texas. It was founded by the Congregation of Holy Cross.

The University of the Incarnate Word is one of the leading Catholic, coeducational liberal arts universities in the Southwest with a student population totaling 4300. UIW was founded by the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word in 1881.

Concordia University is a Lutheran university of 950 students in Austin, Texas. It is owned and operated by the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod.

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