The Frequently Asked Questions and answers below provide information to schools, districts and educational organizations both in Missouri and nationally. Items specific to Missouri are identified as such and are included to alleviate the need to duplicate material unnecessarily.
The term “eMINTS staff” refers to individuals directly employed by the eMINTS National Center and to individuals who are under contract with the eMINTS National Center as consultants or sub-contractors for the purpose of delivering eMINTS professional development programs.
The term “certified eMINTS Instructional Specialist employed by the participant’s organization” refers to individuals who have successfully completed the certification process included in the Professional Development for Educational Technology Specialists (PD4ETS) program and who are employed by the same organization (external to eMINTS) with which the participant is affiliated.
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Q. What are eMINTS custom PD services?
A. The eMINTS National Center provides customized professional development workshops and consultation including a
variety of partial-day and multi-day workshops for educators. Consultation on eMINTS
program implementation, technology integration and systemic school/organization
change is also available.
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Q. What is the purpose of eMINTS custom PD?
A.
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Q. What are the benefits of participating in eMINTS custom PD services?
A. High-quality, trained trainers, tech/pedagogy integration, customizable for audience needs.
- Q. What professional development program activities are included in eMINTS custom PD?
A.
The eMINTS National Center offers a variety of short duration, high-quality professional development experiences for schools, districts and other entities. Some standard programs are available. Other sessions and materials can be customized to suit the needs of specific organizations.
- Q. What content is available for participants in eMINTS custom PD?
A. See listing of services available ....
- Q. Is eMINTS custom PD available in all locations in Missouri and nationally?
A.
- Q. How many educators from a school or district can apply for eMINTS custom PD?
A. Schools or districts may apply for as many participants for whom the school or district will pay participation fees.
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Q. How are dates and locations for custom PD established?
A. Begin the process by submitting an online request form ....
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Q. Who is eligible to request eMINTS custom PD?
A.
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Q. Is it possible for a teacher to apply for eMINTS custom PD on his/her own without school or district approval or involvement?
A. A goal of eMINTS National Center programs is the development of a professional learning community within a school leading to school-wide renewal and improvement. Development of a professional learning community within a school may be facilitated by the participation of school or district educators as a prelude to the school’s or district’s participation. It may also provide educators with tools to work more effectively with students who have special learning needs even if their school or district does not implement the eMINTS instructional model.
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Q. What is the cost for participating in eMINTS custom PD?
A. Find a general cost structure ....
Detailed costs and services for each custom session will be determined after consultation.
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Q. How can a request for eMINTS custom PD be made? When is it due?
A. Begin the process by submitting an online request form ....
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Q. What is the purpose of the eMINTS Professional Development Program for teacher education faculty (PD4TEF)?
A. The purpose of the PD4TEF program is to help teacher education faculty fully incorporate the eMINTS professional development program (eMINTS PD) into the undergraduate teacher preparation curriculum at their institution. The demand for eMINTS teachers (teachers who are fully prepared to enter a classroom equipped with the required suite of hardware and software) is increasing in schools and districts that have implemented the eMINTS instructional model.
The estimated cost for delivering eMINTS PD to an in-service teacher ranges from $8,000 to $10,000 per teacher. If graduates of teacher preparation programs can complete the eMINTS PD program (including appropriate field experiences and student teaching) prior to their graduation, they will be highly preferred in the job market.
The completion of eMINTS PD prior to graduation can best be achieved when teacher education faculty work closely with eMINTS staff in the PD4TEF program so that the knowledge, skills and full content of the eMINTS PD program can be incorporated into undergraduate course work. Completion of PD4TEF will insure that teacher education faculty have a full understanding of the eMINTS instructional model and provide learning experiences for pre-service teachers that fully prepare them for teaching in an eMINTS classroom or for teaching competently using technology and constructivist pedagogy.
Institutions of higher education (IHEs) that desire to combine technology and inquiry-based teaching in order to achieve improved performance for all learners will find PD4TEF an important component in their overall program development. Successful completion of the PD4TEF training may lead to certification as an eMINTS instructional specialist.
Certified eMINTS instructional specialists have access to the eMINTS professional-development materials, strategies and support, everything necessary to help teachers achieve proficiency in the eMINTS instructional model as they implement it in their classrooms. Certified eMINTS Instructional Specialists can be critical catalysts in the formation and sustenance of professional learning communities in schools and districts thus strengthening the school-university partnerships critical to improved teacher education.
PD4TEF mirrors the goals of the eMINTS Professional Development for Educational Technology Specialists (PD4ETS) program and aims to provide professional educators with essential support systems and a collaborative group of colleagues. PD4TEF participants gain the knowledge and skills necessary for implementing the eMINTS instructional model and high-quality professional development in their own educational settings.
The PD4TEF program will be offered pending the eMINTS National Center’s final budget sufficiency each fiscal year and an adequate number of participants to form cohort groups.
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Q. What are the goals of the eMINTS PD4TEF program?
A. PD4TEF seeks to prepare teacher educators with the skills and the vision necessary to lead their IHEs in the successful use of educational technology based on the eMINTS instructional model.
eMINTS staff will evaluate each participant’s prior knowledge and skills with standard eMINTS hardware and software and provide each participant with sufficient individual support to improve proficiency.
- Participants will understand methods of incorporating constructivist principles into the K-12 classroom: inquiry-based learning, collaborative learning and project-based learning. They will develop strategies for assisting K-12 classroom teachers in integrating these methods into a technology-rich classroom.
- Participants will be able to effectively incorporate eMINTS professional-development components (including sessions and classroom visits) with an emphasis on teaching practices rather than the use of technology into undergraduate pre-service teacher education course work.
- Participants will be able to define and articulate appropriate field experiences and student teaching experiences to support pre-service teachers’ transfer of learning from course sessions to actual classroom practice.
- Participants will become skilled at using various pre-service teacher-support strategies: coaching, modeling, lesson integration, assistance in obtaining technical support and so on.
- Participants will become aware of the roles they play in their IHE learning communities and be able to identify ways of tapping other members of those communities (for example, through group sessions or the e-mail discussion list) for problem-solving and the generation of new ideas.
- Participants will become skilled at finding and using a variety of online resources that support technology integration and inquiry-based learning in pre-service teacher education, such as educational websites, databases and WebQuests.
- Participants will become familiar with a wide variety of classroom applications for technology and learn how to develop syllabi and course learning experiences that integrate multimedia projects with teaching based on constructivist principles through the use of eMINTS PD content.
- Participants will develop long-term plans for implementing the eMINTS instructional model in their own pre-service teacher education settings.
- Participants will design and implement induction year programs that support program graduates in their first year of teaching based on eMINTS PD content.
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Q. What is the eMINTS instructional model?
A. Please see the eMINTS National Center Frequently Asked Questions for a full description of the eMINTS instructional model.
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Q. Who is eligible to apply for the eMINTS PD4TEF program? Where will the program be offered?
A. The program is available to any college faculty member interested in implementing the eMINTS instructional model into their pre-service teacher preparation program.
The location(s) of the PD4TEF program will be determined by the number of applicants accepted into the program and their residency. Cohort groups of not less than 5 participants will be formed based on the geographic locations of participants. Participants in the PD4TEF program may be combined with participants in the PD4ETS program in order to achieve the minimum number of participants required.
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Q. Who selects PD4TEF participants? What qualifications should a PD4TEF participant have?
A. Selection of PD4TEF participants is under the purview of the IHE that employs them. It is not required that PD4TEF participants complete any other eMINTS professional development programs prior to acceptance into the PD4TEF program.
In addition to institutional qualifications, IHEs should strongly consider requiring the following qualifications for PD4ETS participants:
- Experience with multimedia instructional technologies (including SMART Board. computer, printer, scanner, digital camera).
- Knowledge of inquiry-based and cooperative learning methodologies.
- Strong interpersonal relationship skills.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Experience presenting professional development activities and working with adult learners.
- Self-starter, self-motivated.
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Q. Is it possible for an individual to apply for PD4TEF on his/her own without IHE approval or involvement?
A. A goal of eMINTS National Center programs is the development of a professional learning community leading to systemic renewal and improvement. Development of a professional learning community requires the involvement, approval and buy-in of a critical mass of the teaching staff and significant administrative support. The participation of isolated individuals in PD4TEF is counter-productive to this goal.
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Q. What is the cost for participating in the eMINTS PD4TEF?
A. The cost for all eMINTS professional development programs may be found at:
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Q. How many faculty members can apply for PD4TEF from one institution?
A. Cohort group size is limited to a minimum of 5 participants per group and a maximum of 15 participants per group. IHEs may apply for one or more slots in the cohort group.
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Q. How many sessions does the program include and when will they be held?
A. PD4TEF sessions are offered to cohort groups based on the state residence of participants:
For Missouri residents, a two-day orientation session is held in the summer preceding the first academic year of participation. There are also approximately 12 sessions, each approximately 6 hours in length during Year 1. Participants and the eMINTS staff members providing the PD4TEF program schedule sessions for Year 1 during the day on days that are mutually agreed upon. Up to four site visits are scheduled individually with participants to assist in the development of courses.
During Year 2, approximately 24 hours of professional development are scheduled by participants and eMINTS staff. Four sessions approximately 6 hours in length are scheduled. Informal monthly contact is also maintained via e-conferencing and online discussion. Two site visits for the second year are scheduled individually with participants.
For non-Missouri residents, Year 1 begins with a one-week experience in Missouri giving PD4TEF participants the opportunity to visit eMINTS classrooms, communicate with eMINTS staff and learn about the program. If at least ten participants are from the same state or region, the one-week experience may be held in the participants’ home state or in a location convenient to participants. Ten additional Year 1 sessions of approximately 2 hours each for non-Missouri residents via video teleconference, e-conference and conference telephone calls will be scheduled mutually by participants and eMINTS staff.
eMINTS staff will visit participants’ settings at least once during Year 1 and once during Year 2 of program participation.
During Year 2, non-Missouri residents schedule another week-long session in Missouri. If at least ten participants are from the same state or region, the Year 2 one-week experience may be held in the participants’ home state or in a location convenient to participants. Five additional Year 2 sessions of approximately 2 hours each for non-Missouri residents via video teleconference, e-conference and conference telephone calls will be scheduled mutually by participants and eMINTS staff.
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Q. What requirements must participating faculty meet?
A. The IHE and participating faculty must complete and meet all requirements stipulated in the eMINTS National Center program application section PD4TEF. Participating faulty and their institutions are expected to commit to the full 2-year program and provide the resources needed by faculty to attend all sessions and be present during site visits. Only valid and legitimate excuses will be accepted.
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Q. What is required to receive “certification” as an eMINTS instructional specialist? Are all participants in PDTEF required to complete the certification requirements? Is there a cost for the certification process?
A. By the conclusion of the second year of the program, participants interested in obtaining certification will be asked to complete a performance-based competency assessment. The assessment will be used to validate the faculty member’s knowledge and skill level in understanding and delivering the eMINTS comprehensive professional development program within an undergraduate teacher education program. Participants will be coached in the preparation of a portfolio beginning in Year 1 of the program. The portfolio will serve as evidence of their work in the program and is a major part of the certification process.
Completion of the certification process is not a requirement of the PD4TEF program; however, successful completion of the certification process is required if individuals are interested in being eligible to access eMINTS professional development program materials for use in their courses.
Costs for certification are included in the participation costs.
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Q. Is there a cost for continued access to eMINTS professional development materials following successful certification?
A. Certified eMINTS Instructional Specialists (or their IHEs) will be required to complete an annual Access Agreement outlining the privileges and limitations of their access to eMINTS professional development materials. A fee will be assessed annually. Failure to complete the Access Agreement and/or to pay the access fee will result in termination of the individual’s access to eMINTS professional development materials.
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Q. What additional requirements must certified eMINTS Instructional Specialists adhere to in preparing official eMINTS teachers?
A. In addition to the completion of the annual Access Agreement, certified eMINTS Instructional Specialists delivering eMINTS PD to teachers who wish to be considered official eMINTS teachers are requested to submit syllabi for courses that incorporate eMINTS PD into the pre-service program to the eMINTS National Center Office for review and feedback.
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Q. Are participants expected to take “refresher” or continuing education courses to maintain their certification?
A. Faculty who successfully complete the PD4TEF program certification process and become certified eMINTS Instructional Specialists will be expected to maintain contact with the eMINTS National Center to receive programmatic updates (professional development materials) and other information. Requirements for additional professional development to maintain certification will be posted on the eMINTS website.
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Q. What is the application process for the PD4TEF program? Where should it be sent? When will we be notified if our application is accepted?
A. Application information for all eMINTS professional development programs, including PD4TEF is available. In addition to the application, a telephone interview with the participant and appropriate IHE administration may be requested.
Applicants will receive written and e-mail confirmation of their acceptance into eMINTS programs by early June if applications are received by the May 1 deadline. Information regarding dates, times and locations of initial sessions will be included if applicable.
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Q. What factors are considered in the application approval process?
A. Applications are approved based on multiple factors including the availability of eMINTS staff to provide the services, completeness of the application, demonstrated quality in teacher preparation programming particularly in the are of technology integration and a demonstrated match between the teacher education program’s pedagogical approaches and the eMINTS instructional model.
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 PD4TEF are not available to groups smaller than 5-8 participants
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Q. What sources of support are available to pay the participation costs for PD4TEF?
A. Please note: the eMINTS National Center does not provide funds to faculty members of IHEs interested in integrating the eMINTS instructional model.
IHEs may fund equipment, software and eMINTS professional development programs using the following sources of funds:
- Fund for the Improvement of Post Secondary Education (FIPSE)
- Title IIA Post-Secondary Funds
- Private foundations
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Q. What equipment is a participating organization required to provide for PD4TEF participants?
A. The IHE is required to provide the participating faculty member(s) with a laptop meeting current specifications for the two years that the faulty member is in the program.
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Q. Will participants receive webspace while they are in the program?
A. Yes. eMINTS will provide participants with webspace while they are in the program if the participant’s institution is unable to provide them.
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Q. How long is the organization and participant committed to participating in PD4TEF?
A. IHEs and participants must make a two-year commitment and complete all scheduled sessions.
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Q. What if a faculty member leaves before completing the program? Will IHEs be reimbursed for unused portions?
A. IHEs will not be reimbursed for unused portions of the program. Because of the nature of the professional development program sequence, IHEs are not allowed to substitute other individuals if the original applicant is unable to complete the program after any more than the first three sessions (Missouri) or first two days of Week 1 (national version) have been held.
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Q. What benefits are available to pre-service teacher education students when eMINTS PD is incorporated into course work?
A. Pre-service students who satisfactorily complete at least 12 credit hours or undergraduate course work that incorporates all of the eMINTS PD content and who satisfactorily complete appropriate field experiences and student teaching will be considered to be official eMINTS teachers who will be accorded all of the rights and privileges of official eMINTS teachers who have completed the eMINTS PD on an in-service basis.
In addition, pre-service teachers enrolled in undergraduate courses taught by PD4TEF participants or certified eMINTS instructional specialists will be eligible to make requests for new eThemes topics. Find additional information about the rich resource database correlated to state standards.
