eMINTS stands for enhancing Missouri’s Instructional Networked Teaching Strategies. The eMINTS National Center is a non-profit unit within the University of Missouri System, Office of Academic Affairs. eMINTS is a collaborative education program sponsored by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the Missouri Department of Higher Education.

The eMINTS National Center serves as a resource base for Missouri schools and districts as well as for educators from across the United States – and internationally – who wish to collaborate with eMINTS staff and with one another to replicate the eMINTS instructional model (high-quality teaching powered by technology) within their educational systems. eMINTS transforms schools into places for learning where teachers and students use multimedia tools to better understand the world, work together, and achieve at new and higher levels.

eMINTS National Center programs include professional development experiences for all educators (teachers, administrators, educational technology specialists, and library media specialists) who are interested in implementing the eMINTS instructional model in their schools or districts. The eMINTS National Center also provides faculty development for post-secondary educators. Introductory short-term programs and customized workshops as well as intensive long-term programs are available. For more information visit the programs area of the eMINTS website.

The eMINTS instructional model is a set of research based strategies grounded in constructivist theory. The model supports educators in integrating technology and best teaching practices to create a learning community where teachers and students explore and create knowledge together using a variety of resources. Teachers facilitate student learning through the use of essential questions that stimulate thinking; build curiosity, create connections, and generate long lasting knowledge through issues that matter to students.

In a school that is fully implementing the eMINTS instructional model, observers will see students working collaboratively to solve real-world problems through teamwork and hands-on activities. Teachers guide and coach students in the creation of unique products that show deep student understanding of complex concepts.

The eMINTS instructional model requires conscious alignment of curriculum, professional development initiatives, technology acquisitions and school vision. Collaborative leadership practices and school structures that support the school’s professional learning community in the implementation of the eMINTS instructional model are required for success.

Learn more about the eMINTS instructional model ….

The eMINTS instructional model has undergone extensive program evaluation research. Reports from all external evaluators document the positive effects of eMINTS professional development on teacher and student outcomes.

Find all program evaluation reports on the eMINTS National Center website.

The eMINTS instructional model is not curriculum based nor is it prescriptive in requiring any specific curriculum/scheduling strategy. Schools may use integrated curriculum approaches or a specific content approach characterized by high levels of communication among staff to achieve interdisciplinary outcomes for students. Common planning time for teachers involved in program implementation is highly recommended as are opportunities for teachers to reflect on practice and continually study ways to improve teaching and learning.

eMINTS professional development programs provide support for educators who are committed to using technology to optimize their local curriculum through inquiry-based teaching practices, aligned with the Common Core Standards and state grade-level expectations or learning objectives. eMINTS professional development programs also assist other educators in understanding and implementing the eMINTS instructional model in their grade level and subject-specific settings.

The eMINTS National Center is supported with funds from grants, contracts with schools, districts and other educational entities.

Find a listing of current eMINTS participants on the eMINTS website.

Please note: the eMINTS National Center does not provide funds to teachers, schools, districts or other educational organizations interested in implementing the eMINTS instructional model. Schools, districts and other educational organizations may fund equipment, software and/or eMINTS professional development programs through competitive state and natural grant awards, local district funds, federal flow-through programs and foundations.

Yes. eMINTS programs are available to private, independent schools.

eMINTS classrooms may be implemented at grades 3 and above in any content area. Multi-grade classrooms may be included. Special education classrooms, classrooms for LEP or ELL students, and Title I classrooms may be included. Classes for gifted students at those grade levels may be included.

Classrooms in the grades above and below eMINTS classrooms, or for complementary content areas, may be equipped with portions of the required eMINTS equipment or students may use distributed resources (i.e., mobile laptop carts or school computer labs). Teachers assigned to those classrooms should participate in the eMINTS4All programs that support making the eMINTS instructional model a school-wide effort.

Short-term custom professional development options are appropriate for educators at any grade level.

Yes -  the eMINTS instructional model has been effectively implemented in looping, departmentalized, or self-contained classroom configurations. Opportunities for collaboration and common planning time must be built into the program design for optimal implementation when multiple grade levels or departments are involved.

The eMINTS instructional model is not dependent on a particular platform. Professional development materials are available for both PC and Mac platforms and for a variety of Operating Systems.

It is highly recommended that the key stakeholders who will be directly responsible for the eMINTS implementation be involved in completing the application for eMINTS programs or services. A team approach that includes the building principal, technology personnel, library media specialist, and representative teachers (for eMINTS, eMINTS4All and non-eMINTS classrooms) will likely produce a more complete and successful implementation than one developed by an individual.

The application form for eMINTS programs and services and Frequently Asked Questions for each specific program or service are available from the programs area.

Applications for eMINTS program or services should be postmarked or hand delivered to the eMINTS National Center office not later than June 15 of every year. Applications from schools/districts using grant funds will be accepted after June 15 if grant awards are not made until after that date. Applicants using grant funds to cover eMINTS participation fees must submit applications within 10 calendar days following notice of grant award.

eMINTS National Center
325 Clark Hall
Columbia, MO
65211

Applicants using external grant funds to pay eMINTS professional development fees may submit applications prior to receiving confirmation of pending grant awards with documentation that describes expected fund source and award date. Applicants will not be held to contractual obligations if grant funds are not received. Applicants are expected to follow up with the eMINTS National Center and notify the office regarding the final status of grant awards when known.

Applications for short-term introductory eMINTS programs specific to schools or districts or other customized services should be made using an online custom PD request form.

Note: All eMINTS programs will be offered pending the eMINTS National Center’s final budget sufficiency each fiscal year and an adequate number of participants for each program cohort group.

Schools or districts needing programs or services after the June 15 application deadline should contact the eMINTS National Center office by telephone at (573) 884-7202 as soon as a need is known. Openings in cohort groups are occasionally available late in the summer for Comprehensive eMINTS and eMINTS4All programs; however, guarantees of program availability cannot be made.

Each program has a minimum and maximum number of participants depending on the program duration and the frequency of sessions. For complete information regarding minimum and maximum number of participants, please see the FAQ for each program.

Applicants will receive written and e-mail confirmation of their acceptance into eMINTS programs by late June if applications are received by the June 15 deadline. Information about dates, times and locations of initial sessions will be included if applicable.

Applications are approved based on the availability of eMINTS staff or qualified contractors to provide the services. Participation in the PD4ETS program may require a telephone interview with applicant and appropriate school or district personnel.

Another important factor is the geographic distribution of applicants allowing the formation of cohort groups with adequate numbers of participants. Intensive face-to-face programs such as eMINTS PD or PD4ETS generally are not available to groups smaller than 5 participants.

With the exception of short-term introductory or customized program options, professional development services provided by eMINTS are intended to bring about change to an entire school; therefore, all educators in the school including the principal, subject-area specialists, and the library media specialist should expect to participate in eMINTS professional development programs.

In Missouri, eMINTS professional development programs are delivered by 1) eMINTS staff depending on staff capacity and an adequate number of participants in a particular geographic region of the state or 2) by individuals who are participating in or who have become certified eMINTS Instructional Specialists through the PD4ETS program. eMINTS professional development programs are available in states outside Missouri only when delivered by PD4ETS participants or certified eMINTS Instructional Specialists employed by external organizations, such as the participant’s school or district. Find additional information about the PD4ETS program.

Schools or districts – in and outside of Missouri – that employ their own certified eMINTS Instructional Specialist may provide eMINTS professional development programs under the terms of the annual access agreement completed with the eMINTS National Center.

Find cost information ….

Equipment, software and additional technology resources for eMINTS classrooms are outlined on the eMINTS website. The required timeline for installation of equipment is also included on the website.

For teachers in grade levels above or below eMINTS classrooms, or in complementary content areas, portions of the equipment and software may be installed. Any equipment or software for any classroom involved in eMINTS implementations must meet equipment and software specifications outlined on the eMINTS website for fiscal year (FYXX) organization began eMINTS implementation.

At the middle school and high school levels, the equipment specifications may be set up using the traditional eMINTS equipment configuration (including one computer for every two students) in official eMINTS classrooms or may be set up with a one-to-one laptop distribution for students. A one-to-one laptop configuration is not recommended for grades below middle school.

See the eMINTS equipment specifications for middle school and high school programs.

A one-to-one laptop configuration for students is not recommended in grades below middle school.

Only items listed on the eMINTS equipment and software specifications are allowed in classrooms designated as official eMINTS classrooms. See eMINTS policy on software.

Applicants for short-term introductory or customized programs are not required to have specific hardware or software installed in classrooms. Applicants should contact the eMINTS National Center office to discuss equipment and software requirements for the actual delivery of the professional development so that materials can be prepared for the hardware and software available to participants. eMINTS professional development materials are available for a variety of platforms and for several recent versions of most software topics.

Learn more about custom PD offerings from eMINTS ….

Except for short-term introductory programs, schools and districts must make a two-year commitment with the expectation that the eMINTS instructional model is sustained beyond that initial implementation period. The district is expected to participate in eMINTS program evaluation activities with the program evaluator. Schools using grant funds may have additional compliance requirements and expectations as specified for the particular grant funding source.

Participants in eMINTS professional development programs are eligible to participate on the discussion lists for their respective programs. In addition, participants in eMINTS PD, eMINTS4Al and PD4ETS are eligible to make eThemes resource requests. eThemes is a searchable database of child-safe Internet resources organized around specific themes.

All participants are expected to complete eMINTS program evaluation activities relative to the particular program(s) in which they are engaged. Program evaluation activities are intended to provide formative and summative information to eMINTS National Center staff regarding the effectiveness and relevance of the programs for participants and their students (if applicable).

Participants using resources from grant awards are responsible for providing evaluation data specific to the requirements for the respective grants. Grant recipients may consult with the eMINTS Evaluation Project in designing evaluation that satisfies federally-specified standards for program evaluation.

Examples of past evaluation work are available from the eMINTS website.