Instructional Uses of Technology in the Classroom
Dr. Kathleen Nickerson, assistant professor of education, received a grant from the Rhode Island Teacher Education Renewal project to investigate the instructional uses of the iPod touch in the classroom. As a result, elementary education majors enrolled in the six-credit course Teaching Mathematics and Science are directly involved in conducting this research. Each student has been loaned an iPod touch to identify relevant applications and create math and science content activities for fourth-grade students as part of their practicum at Sullivan Elementary School in Newport. Salve Regina students research ways to use the iPod touch to enhance instruction and help Sullivan students, especially English language learners, identify and retain the major concepts and vocabulary identified within their fourth-grade mathematics and science curriculum.
Mathematics-Science Initiative
Dr. Kathleen Nickerson, assistant professor of education, is actively involved in the mathematics-science initiative, “Building a Strong Foundation.” A partnership between the Rhode Island Department of Education and the Charles A. Dana Center at the University of Texas at Austin, the initiative provides targeted support for school districts to align their mathematics and science curriculums. In addition to attending training sessions, Nickerson has conducted professional development workshops for teachers across the state.
Project RIBRITE
A collaborative project funded by the Rhode Island Foundation, Project RIBRITE links Salve Regina education faculty with teacher educators from other state teacher education programs to study effective teaching strategies with English Language Learners. The goal is to prepare educators who will work in schools with concentrations of English Language Learners and provide professional development for faculty of teacher education programs, so that their students will graduate as effective educators for English Language Learners. Fellows from each Rhode Island institution of higher education gather in study groups to plan changes in programs and individual courses.