School's out for students, but some Pasco teachers found themselves back in the classroom this week.
- Teacher Technology Summer Institutes hosted by St. Leo University
- Program lasts for one year, with mentorship and support until next summer
About 20 Pasco teachers from elementary, middle and high schools around the county attended St. Leo University's Teacher Technology Summer Institutes this week. They spent their time learning new technologies and how to integrate those new tools into their classrooms. Each teacher got their choice of a tablet, interactive whiteboard, or set of virtual reality headsets for their class.
The program is free for the teachers. Professor Holly Atkins said the university provides the knowledge and technology as a way of community outreach, but to also nurture relationships between their student teachers and professionals in the field.
"They will serve as mentors for our students," Atkins said. "We emphasize technology throughout our student education program, but we can only do so much in teaching it. We need to place them with classroom teachers who are living that each and every day."
Alyssa Keyser, who teaches at Pine View Middle School in Land O' Lakes, plans to bring back a set of virtual reality headsets for her students. Using a smartphone and apps, the headset allows her students to go on trips throughout the world, or immerse themselves in historical moments.
She hopes the immersive technology makes her students more empathetic.
"We want these students to not only use them for 'oh this is cool'," she said. "We want them to put themselves in the situations."
The goal is to not only use technology as a teaching tool and stay up-to-date with the latest technologies, but to give these teachers the tools to help their colleagues. The institute lasts a year, with mentorship and support meetings until next summer.