INFO about WIT 2002

Staff

Schedule

Teaching Guide

Photos from WIT 2002

Agendae for two strands

The Web Institute for Teachers (WIT) is a project of the Center for School Improvement (CSI) and the Chicago Public Schools/University of Chicago Internet Project (CUIP) in collaboration with the Graham School of General Studies at the University of Chicago.

The program is primarily funded through a grant from the Chicago Public Schools.

Program

Strands

Format

Audience

Learning Objectives

What past participants had to say...

Program

WIT provides a variety of learning experiences designed to help participants integrate the World Wide Web into their teaching and learning.

nstruction takes place in "homerooms" of 20 participants, grouped according to prior experiences with the Internet and with the integration of Internet resources into the classroom. Each homeroom is conducted by two experienced teacher-mentors who are former participants in the WIT program and have been specially trained to serve as WIT mentors. Participants can also choose among several "special topics" modules designed to meet specific technological or pedagogical interests. A series of "plenary sessions" brings together the participants in all of the homerooms for lectures and demonstrations by leaders in the field of instructional technology. In addition, the entire WIT curriculum is available on-line, so participants can refer to it throughout the Institute and afterwards.

WIT supplies each participant with an Internet account on its server, allowing space for web pages and other materials to be stored, as well as facilitating online communication with mentors and with other participants. These server accounts are maintained for at least a year following the Institute, to support ongoing practice and classroom use of materials created during the Institute.

The Institute is intended for the following audiences:

• K-12 schoolteachers in all subject areas
• School librarians and media specialists
• Technology coordinators
• Curriculum specialists
• School and district administrators
• Web designers interested in educational applications
• Educators in non-school settings such as museums

Two strands are offered:

"Creating a Curriculum Web" (formerly known as WIT Advanced) is designed for participants who have had some experience using computers to support their teaching or the learning of their students. This prior experience should include regular use of email, some familiarity with web searching, extensive use of word processing, and some use of graphics editors or drawing programs. Participants must have access to a computer at home during the summer, and must have an already-established account with an Internet Service Provider (such as Interaccess or AOL). More information about this strand.

"Using the Web in the Classroom" (formerly known as WIT Basic) is designed for participants who have some experience using computers for personal productivity, including word processing. Participants should be able to use a mouse and keyboard and know how to copy and move files from diskette to hard disk. Pariticipants must have access to an Internet-linked computer at home or in another place so they can complete assignments outside of class time. More information about this strand.

Format

The Web Institute for Teachers 2002 meets five days a week, four hours a day, from Monday, July 1 to Friday, July 26, 2002 (no classes with be held July 4 or July 5). Participants may choose morning (9 to 1) or afternoon (1 to 5) sessions. (You must indicate a preference on the application.)

Classes will be held either in Hyde Park on the University of Chicago campus or another location in Chicagoland.

Click here for WIT 2002 schedule.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of WIT 2002, participants will be able to do the following

"Using the Web in the Classroom" Strand

• Efficiently find and evaluate suitable resources and instructional materials on the Internet
• Create bookmarks and convert them to online lists of links to support student learning
• Send and receive email, including attachments
  Be able to describe the process of building web-based lessons
• Design and create a simple home page using Netscape Composer to support teaching and learning
• Manage files on a remote computer using an FTP client
• Plan how to use the Internet in your own school and classroom

"Creating a Curriculum Web" Strand

• Choose the right Internet search engine for the task at hand, phrase a query for the right breadth, and refine a query based on initial results
• Evaluate Internet-based resources and instructional materials in terms of their likely effectiveness for specific purposes
• Create lists of bookmarks and online lists of links
• Maintain a directory tree of files on a web server, using FTP
• Apply advanced concepts in curriculum development and learning theory
• Use advanced software tools to plan, design, and implement a web site
• Build a web-based project (curriculum web) that can support a sustained process of teaching and learning for your students
• Include simple sounds and video on a web page
• Teach others how to use the Web to support teaching and learning

In addition to these instructional goals, participants will receive up to 16 continuing education units (CEUs) suitable for use in Illinois teacher recertification plans or 3 units of Chicago Public School Lane Credit.

Past WIT participants had to say...

"This program challenged me to work hard and really learn to use the computer to compose and publish."

"The hands-on method in lab classes made us learn faster."

"I told some of my colleagues after class today that it is unusual to attend in-services, seminars, classes which are so well-planned, which meet the objectives set forth, and which you actually feel have been beneficial to you personally as well as professionally."

"A strength was knowledgeable mentors who are willing to share their knowledge and expertise."

"Part of the joy of participating in this Institute was being immersed and supported in a single quest - to learn to use the Web in our school."

"WIT has been one of the most useful classes I have taken in years. No student leaving a university with plans to teach should graduate without having an experience like this."

"[They] have been extraordinary mentors. Not only do they clearly explain and demonstrate procedures, but they also exemplify what outstanding teaching is. I, for one, was phobic about learning these technical skills. They both were encouraging, and patient and believed in me even when I didn't."

"Best of all was the chance to take a close look at my own philosophy of education."

"The mentors were excellent, and they did a great job teaching and building up everyone's confidence so that we could produce to our best ability."

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