McNeese State University student Chelse Baccigalopi, left, manipulates objects on the Promethean whiteboard using a pen as Ashley Picard watches during an Elementary Math Methods I class, EDUC 334. The McNeese Burton College of Education is in the forefront of preparing its education majors to use the latest interactive learning technology in the classroom. McNeese Photo

The Burton College of Education at McNeese State University is in the forefront of preparing the next generation of teachers to guide their students along the path of knowledge using an innovative interactive learning technology in the classroom.

The college is using technology developed by Promethean, a British-based company that is a global leader in interactive learning technology developed by and for educators, to give its education majors an edge in the classroom, according to Dr. Wayne Fetter, dean of the college.

And because of the college's success in using Promethean technology to support new learning approaches for the classroom, Fetter was invited this week (Oct. 6-7) to make a presentation, "Utilizing Technology to Build Effective Pedagogical Foundations," at the 2008 Interactive Technology in Education Symposium in London, England.

Promethean technology, which is primarily used in K-12 grades, has been available for about 11 years, but has only been marketed in the United States since about 2005. "This new technology enables teachers to create, customize and integrate text, Web, video and audio content so as to more easily capture students' attention and accommodate different learning styles," said Fetter. The physical setup of a classroom includes the interactive whiteboards, software, wireless slates, a camera, projector, laptop computer, speakers, DVD/VCR and a hand-held student response system‹it looks like a remote control‹that permits instantaneous assessment of a student's comprehension of a lesson.

Fetter said McNeese looked into this technology program after Dr. Faye White, director of student teaching and professional education services, attended a 2006 state education conference in Baton Rouge, where Promethean technology was demonstrated.

"Faye came back excited and said this technology was the future of classroom teaching and that we should integrate interactive learning technology into our curricula. We looked into this program, liked what we saw and began the acquisition of ACTIVclassrooms that same year."

Today, 33 ACTIVclassrooms integrated with Promethean systems have been installed in 26 classrooms, five computer labs and two conference rooms in Farrar Hall, the Burton Business Center and the Recreational Sports Complex. Funding for these classrooms have come from Burton Endowment, Technological Advancements for Students Committee and Community Support funds, as well as grants from the Louisiana Board of Regents.

Fetter said not only is McNeese the only university in the country integrating Promethean technology into its curricula but it is also the only university that at the same time is training its entire faculty on how to be proficient in Promethean usage. "Our faculty needs to be able to demonstrate appropriate implementation skills in the classroom, not just speak about them. Faculty are teaching faculty."

He also said advanced technology training opportunities for education majors will continue through the creation of the Promethean Center for Excellence project ‹ a partnership with the Burton College of Education and the Calcasieu Parish School System, a national leader in technology training for its teachers.

"This project represents the only university and school district partnership in the nation that is guided by the Promethean principle of 'improving the quality of education through technology,'" said Fetter. "We support each other."

Preliminary studies in the United Kingdom show, according to Fetter, that student gain scores have shown significant increases over an academic year when interactive learning technology has been effectively utilized in a classroom. However, he said more research is needed.

"Today's students are so much more technologically savvy ‹ more visual," he stated. "These students are used to a more rapid type of delivery of information and whiteboards with graphics and instant feedback using the student response system engage students in the learning process. However, interactive learning technology is just another vehicle of delivery and will not replace the teacher or the curriculum."

Fetter said students in all teacher education programs and the master degree programs in educational leadership and instructional technology are being trained to use Promethean technology. "Our student teaching and practicum experiences also include the development of a unit with the interactive whiteboard, student observation hours include watching teachers use the technology in action out in the schools and additional technology training at the Calcasieu Parish Technology Center," said Fetter. "When our teacher education students graduate, they know how to use this exciting new technology in their classrooms."

He said the collaborative efforts with the Calcasieu Parish School System and Promethean bring about "innovation and development of best practices for tomorrow's teachers."