That is why it's critical to provide teachers the training opportunities and software tools they need to harness the power of today's technology for learning. Unfortunately, only 20 percent of today's teachers feel very well prepared to use this technology. If we want to build upon and enhance traditional learning and produce students who can take on the challenges of the modern workplace, we need qualified and well-trained teachers in every classroom, and technology can help those teachers and their students achieve at the highest levels. Calif. Intel ACE was piloted with 3,200 teachers in nine communities in cooperation with Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard. After two years of implementation, evaluation and feedback for the Intel ACE program, Intel worked with ICT to re-write the curriculum and design new program features.
Training includes the use of the Internet, Web page design and multimedia software.
Teachers learn how, when and where to incorporate technology tools and resources into their current lesson plans, create assessment tools, and align lessons with district, state and national standards. Microsoft also is donating software and licenses for each of the training labs and, in the United States, providing master teachers a lab kit with software and licenses for their districts. Microsoft's support of Intel Teach to the Future is part of its ongoing commitment to help every school build a Connected Learning Community, where technology enables learning without limits - anytime, any place. In the United States, each regional training agency is provided with equipment donated by Hewlett-Packard Company to establish a training lab for master teachers. Premio Computer will also donate 20 computer labs to participating school districts for delivery of training by master teachers to classroom teachers.