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Thinkfinity, Technology and Community Initiative at Pace University . May 14, 2008 Nancy Hale, Seidenberg Sandy Flank, Education. AGENDA. What is Thinkfinity ? What is Thinkfinity at Pace? Amount and Duration of the Grant Part of the Grant
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Thinkfinity, Technology and Community Initiative at Pace University May 14, 2008 Nancy Hale, Seidenberg Sandy Flank, Education
AGENDA • What is Thinkfinity? • What is Thinkfinity at Pace? • Amount and Duration of the Grant • Part of the Grant • Cornerstones 1: Expanding Thinkfinity Teacher Training • Cornerstone 2: Community Outreach and Empowerment • Cornerstone 3: Interdisciplinary Informatics • How can you participate?
Pace Leadership Team Jim Stenerson – CTLT, Faculty Development, PLV Geoffery Brackett – Provost Lindsay Bonilla – ThinkfinityGrant Coordinator, (Start Date May 1st) Matthew Bonilla – Director of User Services Jeanne Dennison – VP for Philanthropy Sandra Flank – School of Education Nancy Lynch Hale – Seidenberg School Beth Gordon Klingner – Dyson College of Arts and Sciences Rey Racelis – University Library DeanahIsmael Springer – Asst. Director of Institutional & Individual Giving
What is Thinkfinity? Thinkfinity.org is the cornerstone of Verizon Foundation's literacy, education and technology initiatives. Its goals are: to improve student achievement in traditional classroom settings and beyond by providing high-quality content and extensive professional development training. to provide a free, comprehensive digital learning platform built upon the merger of two acclaimed programs Verizon MarcoPolo and the Thinkfinity Literacy Network.
Cornerstone 1 Expanding Thinkfinity Teacher Training Thinkfinity at Pace University initiative will expand and enhance the understanding, use and importance of the Thinkfinity platform as an instructional resource for students, faculty and administrators in K-12 schools.
Cornerstone 1 urrentInitiatives • Use social networking techniques to expand use of Thinkfinity in schools • Establish a SecondLife Island for Pace University • Establish Groups to explore its use and develop island features. • Provide hands-on, in-class Thinkfinity platform training to underserved populations • ELL • Parents • Non public school teachers • Provide training on use of Thinkfinity to Pace University user groups.
Cornerstone 2Community Outreach and Empowerment through Service Learning and Volunteerismusing and enhancing the Thinkfinity Platform. Thinkfinityat Pace University will enrich the quality of life of community members in computer literacy and skills through civic engagement and address the digital divide by reaching out to seniors, women, under represented minorities and at risk communities.
Cornerstone 2 urrent Initiatives • Develop interdisciplinary learning community courses that utilize new technologies. • Expand civic engagement course offerings that utilize technology. • Research use of Thinkfinity -SmartBoards for literacy, English Language Learners and high school content areas. • Develop Assistive technology lab and associated curricula. • Develop cyber safety curricula • Service Learning • Graduate Ed Tech • K-12
Cornerstone 3Interdisciplinary Informatics with the Thinkfinity Platform Thinkfinity at Pace University will advance the responsible practice of computing and the application of information technology into many critical fields and contexts including the environment and global warning, information assurance and security, application of information technology in health care. We use the term “interdisciplinary informatics” to describe the integration of computing and technology tools into the teaching and learning of various fields (science, the arts, business, health care, law) ultimately to improve the preparation for and practice of associated professions.
Cornerstone 3 urrent Initiatives • Data visualization/data analysis • Digital media • Assistive technologies • Social Networking • Chinese Language
How can you get involved? Small grants (stipend and/or release time) similar to the Presidential Grants for research, program and course development that integrate new technologies.