Advanced Studies in Teaching and Learning

The Advanced Studies in Teaching and Learning Program embodies innovation by showing teachers how to innovate in their own schools. One of the fundamental principles of the course Educational Change (EDUC 615) is that the solutions to instructional problems are often within the reach of the teachers if only they had the skills. One of those skills is knowing how to get the materials needed to enhance the curriculum supported by the school. Teachers in the course prepare a grant proposal to a foundation or corporation for funding a project in their classes that is usually designed to narrow the achievement gap. The teachers learn the art and science of identifying a need, preparing a research-based justification, outlining a scope of activities to address the need, and writing a proposal as required by the funding agency. With each passing semester, more teachers are gaining funds to achieve innovative goals such as improving literacy, engaging parents in their children's education, building in-class libraries of readily available and age-appropriate instructional materials, and enhancing instruction through the use of technology such as smartboards. In this way, ASTL not only is innovating, but also is instructing teachers (many of whom are early in their careers) in how to innovate. Innovation, as captured by learning the grant-writing process, becomes a lifelong skill for these teachers.