Equity, Innovation, Excellence the Theme at UC Conference on Classroom Technology

Current and future teachers in the Cincinnati area are effectively using the latest technology to enhance student learning, through a $2.7 million project led by the University of Cincinnati College of Education. The initiative not only aims to infuse technology in the UC teaching program to provide highly trained teachers, but also strives to bridge the Digital Divide affecting urban schools. The mission's accomplishments as well as its plans for the future will be examined at a two-day conference Sept. 28-29. It's the second-annual conference for the three-year Comprehensive Educational Restructuring and Technology Infusion Initiative (CERTI). Approximately 100 educators from around Cincinnati are expected to attend.

The opening session for the first day of the conference begins at 8:30 a.m. in Salon BC of the Kingsgate Conference Center, with a scheduled appearance by U.S. Representative Steve Chabot, Ohio, and opening greetings from Lawrence J. Johnson, dean, College of Education. The conference, "Equity, Innovation and Excellence in Digital Education," will involve discussion, workshops and demonstrations on how CERTI, led by UC Assistant Professor Joyce Pittman, has revolutionized UC's teacher education program.

"As we continue our work in the 21st century, the educational community of Cincinnati and surrounding areas are faced with a myriad of challenges, as we work to ensure that all children receive instruction from well prepared, technologically aware and caring educators," says Pittman. "A focus of this endeavor must be on high-quality professional development, technology proficiency and performance-based assessment for students, teachers, teacher educators and administrators."

Keynote speaker Bernice Stafford is vice president of Lightspan, Inc., a company that provides educational programming and resources for students, teachers and families. Stafford's address, "Building Leadership in Technology Environments," will take place during the luncheon beginning at 12:15 p.m.

On Saturday, Sept. 29, 8 a.m.-3 p.m., the partnership will hold skill building workshops and forums in Rooms 412-A, 519, 300 and the Annie Laws Library, Teachers