Photograph by Ginny Sims

Through TeachUp!, DOT USA is working to transform the traditional approach to learning, creating a new teaching model that improves the quality of education, prepares students with 21st century skills, and creates a foundation for economic opportunities. The TeachUp! program supports the technology enablement of teachers in order to provide exceptional educational opportunities and improved learning outcomes for elementary, middle and high school students.

TeachUp! Goals

• Provide school level technical support
• Support the technology enablement of course content
• Facilitate knowledge management across schools and districts
• Enable the adoption of change at the school level
• Support outreach to families and businesses in the community

TeachUp! Program translates to:

• A chemistry teacher using a digital whiteboard to teach the steps in an experiment
• A history teacher using MovieMaker to create a video of her students portraying world leaders
• A group of language arts teachers using a web-based discussion board to share lesson plans
• A class of high school students creating a school newsletter with the help of their Desktop Publishing teacher
• A mother overcoming the technology barrier in order to keep abreast of what her children is learning in school

About the Interns

For the 2007/08 school year, DOT USA recruited 57 outstanding junior/senior standing and college graduates to serve as interns in Mississippi and Louisiana schools. The interns, who come from a variety of academic majors, commit 10 months to working one-on-one with teachers to help them bridge the gap between technology and education. Our mission is to enlist our most promising future leaders in the movement to bring technology into the classroom setting and beyond.

In the short run, our TeachUp! interns work relentlessly to ensure that more students growing up today in our country's lowest-income communities are given the educational opportunities they deserve. In the long run, our alumni are a powerful force of leaders working from inside education and from every other sector to effect the fundamental changes needed to ensure that all children have an equal chance in life.

Impact

After a successful first year of the DOT USA TeachUp! program, the following results were achieved for the 2006/2007 academic year:

Impact on Education in Public Schools

• 19,000 K-12 students benefited from a technology-enriched learning environment
• Over 400 K-12 teachers empowered to use technology in the classroom
• Created awareness and opportunities for additional funding and skilled staff
• Promoted schools’ and districts’ use of computers and digital technologies for education, administration, and communication

Impact on the Lives of Interns

• 44 Interns recruited, trained and placed in 41 schools in Mississippi and Louisiana
• 50% of Interns transitioned from internship to gainful employment at completion of internship
• 25% of Interns expressed interest in expanding their internship and giving back to the community
• 85% of Interns accomplished their mission and goals and successfully graduated from the program
• 100% of Interns enhanced their communication, time management and leadership skills

Impact on the Marketplace

• A minimum of 10 local businesses, school districts and government agencies benefited from trained and skilled young professionals
• 20% of the graduating interns are pursuing a post-graduate degree
• Invested $125,000 worth of professional ICT training to equip Interns with the technology and leadership skills needed to excel in the schools and the marketplace