Teachers complete the summer portion of the program with at least one specific technology-infused curricular unit or project to use during the coming year. During that time, they work to improve technology skills, develop and refine projects and create a website for their course. The summer portion of the program is held at Packer during two four-day weeks in June and August.
Participants receive use of a laptop computer on which they research and create projects.
Teachers examine the effectiveness of instructional technology, analyze computer hardware and software concepts and terms and learn uses of the Internet. Institute alumni are enthusiastic about the experience. Latin teacher Tim Flannery admits to having been a technophobe before participating in last summer's Institute. The close relationship between his colleagues and the instructor, Christina Devitt, enabled him to share information and get past what were formerly hurdles to his making use of technology in his classes. He has been able to guide students to frescoes of the ancient world, to Renaissance poets and to teach them how to create their own websites.