Professor wins Verizon grant from to support statewide teaching with technology initiative

Dr. Scott Bray, director of instructional technology in the School of Professional and Continuing Studies education program, has won a Verizon technology grant for the University through the Virginia Foundation of Independent Colleges (VFIC).

The approximately $15,000 grant is made available through the Verizon Mobile Technology project in support of VFIC’s “Teaching with Today’s Technology” initiative.

The purpose of the Verizon Mobile Technology project is to further prepare and develop pre-service teachers’ Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) knowledge. TPACK represents the knowledge needed by teachers in order to conceptualize, design and implement instructional activities that effectively integrate technology.

The grant addresses the need for teacher education programs to develop course experiences and instructional activities that facilitate the development of TPACK. The development of TPACK through the use of mobile technology like iPads will help preservice teachers to create classrooms that facilitate the acquisition of 21st century skills, inventive thinking and digital-age literacy.