Professional Development of Teachers

Integration of research and education is one the three core strategies that guide prioritization and designation of new programs and activities at NSF. Effective integration of research and education at all levels infuses learning with an excitment of discovery and ensures that the findings and methods of research are quickly and effectively communicate dina broader context and to a larger audience. intergation  of research activites into the teaching of science, math and engineering shoudl occur at allevels of education (e.g., K-12, undegraduate science majors, non-science majors, and graduate students).

Exemplar Activities and Programs

Information Technologies in Science (ITS) - Center for teaching and Learning

 Web Site: http://its.tamu.edu/

The Information Technology in Science (ITS) Center for Teaching and Learning is an interdisciplinary graduate program that seeks to replenish the nation's supply of science and mathematics education specialists through team-led, learner-centered opportunities involving scientists, mathematicians, education researchers and education practitioners.

The mission of IT is to fundamentally change the culture and relationships among scientists, educational researchers and teachers by engaging them in the use of information technology to learn about:

• how science is done;
• how science is taught and learned;
• how science learning can be assessed;
• and how scholarly networks between scientists, educational researchers, teachers and students can be developed.

The ITS has 3 goals:

• Production of education specialists through a program of study focused on the interaction between scientists and mathematicians, education researchers and education practitioners.
• Creation of new knowledge through research on the impact of information technology on learning and teaching science and mathematics.
• Development and dissemination of quality professional growth experiences structured around the impact of information technology on learning and teaching science and mathematics.

What makes the ITS Center educational experience unique is that it begins and ends with the concept of team. Given its diverse mix of researchers, educators, master teachers and students from multiple disciplines and specialties, the ITS Center provides fertile ground for innovation and mentoring through a hands-on, project-oriented approach.

To explore further how the ITS Center might support your broader impact activities, contact information is provided at http://its.tamu.edu/people/management.asp