The University of Central Arkansas has been selected as one of 42 two- and four-year colleges and universities in the United States and Puerto Rico to receive a 2007 HP Technology for Teaching grant, which is designed to transform teaching and improve learning in the classroom through innovative uses of technology.
UCA is the only Arkansas institution to receive the award.
During the 2007-2008 academic year, HP Technology for Teaching grant projects will impact more than 6,000 higher education students. The University of Central Arkansas will receive an award package of HP products and a faculty stipend valued at more than $68,000.
Each of the HP Technology for Teaching grant recipients will use HP wireless Tablet PCs to enhance learning in engineering, math, science, or computer science.
UCA is applying the grant by redesigning courses in which students will use mathematical software, such as XThink?s MathJournal, which is specifically designed for the interactive capabilities of a Tablet PC, to investigate several different mathematical concepts visually under the direct guidance of the faculty instructor. The goal of the grant is to determine which capabilities of the Tablet PC improve student learning and how to incorporate this technology within course instruction most effectively.
“We are excited about using HP?s Tablet PC technology to transform the instruction within upper division mathematics courses,” said UCA mathematics professor Dr. Clarence Burg, the principal investigator for this grant. “Dr. Long Le and I will use the graphical capabilities along with other mathematical software in a redesigned Differential Equations course and a redesigned Calculus III course. Since these math courses are highly visual and involve two and three-dimensional concepts, the graphing capabilities should allow for much greater student comprehension of these concepts. Dr. Ramesh Garimella will use the interactive capabilities to enhance student evaluation and learning within Abstract Algebra, as the students learn the art of mathematical proofs. Dr. Jean McGehee will lead the evaluation effort to determine which teaching methods enabled by the Tablet PC are most effective. We believe that the students will enjoy using the Tablet PCs and that their learning experience will be significantly enhanced.”
“All of us in the department are very excited about the HP grant award,” said Dr. Ramesh Garimella, chair of UCA’s Department of Mathematics and also a Co-PI of the project. “This is the first time we have ever received a grant of this type. I believe the HP tablet PC technology will enhance the student/instructor interaction and will be of great help not only for the undergraduate programs but also for the graduate programs in the Department.”
In 2007, HP is awarding 172 K-12 public schools and two- and four-year colleges and universities in the United States and Puerto Rico more than $7 million in mobile technology, cash and professional development as part of its 2007 HP Technology for Teaching grant program. Since 2004, HP has contributed a total of $36 million in HP Technology for Teaching grants to more than 650 schools worldwide. During the past 20 years, HP has contributed more than $1 billion in cash and equipment to schools, universities, community organizations and other nonprofit organizations around the world.
“HP empowers students and teachers to succeed through innovative uses of technology and training,” said Sidney Espinosa, director, Philanthropy Program, HP. “We invest in schools to increase educational attainment and contribute to the development of a skilled, diverse workforce in the future.”
More information about the 2007 HP Technology for Teaching program and grant recipients is available at www.hp.com/go/hpteach.
