NIU recently was awarded a $1.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to fund NIU’s newest project, Prepare Tomorrow’s Teachers to Use Technology (PT3).

The focus is to use handheld computers for evaluating, assessing and improving instruction in NIU’s department of education.

“Teachers need an efficient way to assess and track their students’ achievement,” said Corenna Cummings, PT3 project director and associate professor in the department of educational technology, research and assessment, according to a press release. “Palms are no longer organizers, they’re computers. Handhelds allow teachers to track children on the spot as to how they are meeting standards.”

Handheld technology is designed to ease evaluation-related activities, including tests, homework and group activities.

“NIU is committed to forging strong and advantageous partnerships with the schools in our region, and the work Cory Cummings has done through PT3 projects is a bright example of what we can accomplish by working together,” NIU President John Peters said. “This new grant furthers the important mission of helping children learn by making sure their teachers understand and use the incredible technology now available.”

Some of the grant also will pay for SharePoint technology, which allows students to build online portfolios of their teaching experiences, which can assist in their program accreditation.

Cummings also said using a scientific-based analysis will make teachers excellent problem-solvers.

“When a teacher understands what the issue to address is, collects good data, asks appropriate research questions and analyzes data correctly, he or she is very effective at solving their own problems in the classrooms,” Cummings said.