The Department of Education at Washburn is building on a student organization called iTeachers. Its purpose is for students, especially education majors, to explore different technology by gaining information and experience from the opportunities iTeachers provides.

David Pownell, sponsor of iTeachers from the Department of Education, came up with the idea and name for this organization.

“We aim to promote the use of technology by teaching education students about the resources available to them,” said Pownell.

President of iTeachers Nicole Thayer thinks the organization could benefit from contributions of new members as the year gets underway. Vice President Tammy Bolen, Secretary Amber Gordon, Treasurer Ashley Gordon and Communications Officer Amanda Turner are all working with Thayer to get the organization off the ground since its creation in spring of last year.

“We are recruiting [future] educators to give them as much information about new technology as possible,” said Thayer. “We want to give them alternatives to the usual paper and pencil for use in their future classrooms.”

The organization lets teachers teach their fellow educators about a technology-based education. Various speakers will be coming in to talk about different types of technology and will be instructing them to effectively use new software in the classroom. Also being planned is a field trip to Olathe to learn about handheld computers and a visit to Holton High School to see its technologies, which will give the group some hands-on experience. They plan to attend technology fairs in the community as they arise. Members of iTeachers are working on making the idea to host a day camp for kids a reality in the summer of 2008.

“I am looking forward to the summer day camp we are currently discussing,” said Turner. “It would be a camp for elementary students where we get to teach them technology skills in a fun way.”

Elementary education major Kim Valentine joined last year and has liked the experience. iTeachers offers opportunities and resources to her that she may not be able to get elsewhere.

“There is always something new to learn and support and encouragement to try the new technologies,” said Valentine.

This new student organization welcomes all students to join, particularly education majors. For those interested in iTeachers, meetings are 5:30 p.m. on the second Monday of every month in the Deay Lab, Carnegie Hall Room 108. Learn more by visiting the iTeachers Facebook group or visiting www.iteachers.org.