Transforming the Topography of Teaching With Technology: A PT3 Holmes Partnership Project
Betty Nelson
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Lois M. Christensen
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Jo Ann Lan
Southern Methodist University
Jeffrey Anderson
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Kathryn Sheridan
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Abstract
The University of Alabama at Birmingham, School of Education, as lead institution, initiated a collaborative PT3 project to infuse technology into the teaching/learning experience for prospective teachers in the Greater Birmingham Holmes Partnership. It featured the following projects: (a) assistive technology, (b) mentoring between K–12 and higher education faculty modeling technology infusion during prospective teachers’ field experience, and (c) preparation and mentoring for higher education faculty to infuse cutting-edge technology into content/pedagogical courses. The project reached prospective teachers in five teacher education institutions and enabled participants to realize effective uses of technology and assistive technology for teaching, instructional management, reflection, and lifelong learning. This practical piece serves to disseminate the ideas from successful on- and off-line technology interaction.
About the Author(s)...
Betty Nelson is an Assistant Professor of Special Education at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She received her Ph.D. in Special Education from the University of North Texas. Her primary research interest is the use of assistive technology for individuals with disabilities. Dr. Nelson teaches course content involving all disabilities. She can be contacted at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Lois McFadyen Christensen is an associate professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She specializes in teaching and researching elementary social studies methods at the undergraduate and graduate levels. She teaches course work in qualitative research methods, the civil rights movement, critical theory, and women in education. Technology is infused into all of her work. She can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Jiang (JoAnn) Lan is a member of the Southern Methodist University (SMU) Information Technology Management Team that provides leadership and services to the SMU academic community, and a faculty member in SMU Center for Teacher Education where she teaches Education Technology courses. She is a published author, and has authored and directed numerous grant projects including PT3 projects. Her professional interests include faculty development and online learning. Prior to coming to the U.S., Dr. Lan studied English and was a faculty member at several Chinese universities. She can be contacted at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Jeff Anderson is a Ph.D. candidate in the Educational Leadership program in the Department of Leadership, Special Education, Foundations, and Technology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. His minor course work is in Instructional Technology. He is director of the Office of Academic Computing & Technology in the UAB School of Education. Jeff may be contacted at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Kathryn Sheridan is a Ph.D. student in the School of Social Work at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She received her M.S.W. from The University of Alabama and her B.S.S.W. from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Her research interests include the development of psychosocial supports for children with chronic illness. She can be contacted at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
