Wayne State University's College of Education has been chosen as the state's only site for a pilot program in conjunction with Gov. John Engler's Teacher Technology Initiative (TTI). WSU is launching a "Teachers On the Go" wireless laptop program as part of the governor's comprehensive effort to supply certified teachers with laptop computers. The pilot program addresses the need to train K-12 teachers to be technology-literate in a wireless environment, by providing laptop computers to prospective teachers and faculty in the College of Education.

The college is working with WSU's Computing and Information Technology Division to launch this program Aug. 9. Faculty as well as 150 Alternative Pathway to teaching students (mainly professionals turning to teaching as a second career) from the College of Education's prospective teacher program will receive laptop computers with wireless Internet capability. Plans call for adding 175 additional students to the program this fall.

The future teachers will receive Apple iBook wireless laptops this fall and will keep them for the entire length of the two-year program, provided they pay about $40 annually for insurance.

"This program will give our students the opportunity to learn classroom technology integration skills in a wireless networked environment to prepare them to be effective teachers in the 21st century," said Paula Wood, dean of the College of Education.

The wireless laptop computers employed in the program are being paid for with a combination of funds from the college and from technology monies from the WSU student omnibus fee, under the direction of James Johnson, WSU vice president for computing and information technology.

"This program will give our students the opportunity to practice vital classroom technology skills and work in a collaborative learning environment," said Charles Bantz, WSU provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. "These experiences are critical to their role as Michigan's future K-12 teachers."

Wayne State University is a premier institution offering more than 350 academic programs through 14 schools and colleges to more than 31,000 students in metropolitan Detroit.