Faculty Response, University of Massachusetts

Q. What is the course content and what are the pedagogical approaches
for which you want to draw on technological resources?

I believe that all pre-service and in-service teacher educators
should be taught by instructors who make good pedagogical use of appropriate
technology in their own classrooms, including the creation, acquisition
and exchange of information.

I also believe that all pre-service and in-service teacher educators
should be exposed to courses or workshops that provide the opportunity
to acquire the necessary skills to use technology and related software
and/or materials in pedagogically appropriate ways.

Thus, college and university instructors should be exposed to
courses or workshops that provide them the opportunity to acquire the technical
and pedagogical skills necessary to use technology and related software
and/or materials in pedagogically appropriate ways.

The campus Office of Information Technology faculty and staff,
University library faculty and staff, and college/school/department administration,
faculty and staff, need to work together to achieve these goals.

Q. Map out the range and variation, including both the content and the
kinds of resources you encounter and need.

Teachers at all levels need facility with the standard software
applications for word processing, spreadsheets, databases, presentation
tools, and WWW navigation that helps them mine and put to good use the
vast resources of libraries and other resources. They also need to be made
aware of, and develop skill with, the use of appropriate software applications
that enhance the learning and teaching of specific course content.

Q. What roles and responsibilities do you currently assume regarding
the use and instruction of technology?

I teach introductory courses in all of the above. I am involved
in the development of a Master's level program in educational technology
that is just getting under way.

Q. What goals do you have for collaboration in this area?

At present our school has no requirements for course work that
provides students the opportunity to acquire the technical and pedagogical
skills necessary to use technology and related software and/or materials
in pedagogically appropriate ways. I am looking forward to a healthy discussion
and exchange of ideas for getting greater numbers of faculty and students
on board the 21st Century Technology Express!

Q. What resources are you considering devoting to its future development?

Whatever the limits of my time and energy permit and the administration
are willing to commit.

Bill Masalski
Professor of Mathematics Education and Educational Technology
University of Massachusetts
william.masalski@educ.umass.edu