Chapter 15: The Technology Mentor Model: Infusing Technology into Student Teaching Placements

This chapter describes the Technology Mentor Model, a replicable model for proactively facilitating successful technology placements in pre-service teacher candidates’ field experiences. It was developed through the Teachers Infusing Technology in Urban Schools project (TITUS), supported by a U.S. Department of Education PT3 grant and the Steans Family Foundation. The Technology Mentor Model uses a multi-method, multi-trait approach to gather information that helps project faculty make informed decisions about such factors as the level of commitment of the school and the individual teachers for integrating technology, the level of skill teachers have, and the support necessary to facilitate their long term use of technology in their classrooms. Components of the model include assessment of field settings including technology mentors’ knowledge and attitudes concerning instructional technology, professional development, placement of teacher candidates, and collaborative evaluation of field placements. These components will be described, and recommendations for implementation will be discussed.