Posted on Sep 29, 2006

Murray, Ky., Sept. 26 – Murray State University was one of 10 two-and four-year colleges and universities across the United States selected to receive a 2006 HP Technology for Teaching Higher Education Leadership grant. The schools will share a total of $1.2 million in cash and equipment awarded by HP. All 10 HP Technology for Teaching Higher Education Leadership grant winners were previous recipients of HP Technology for Teaching higher education grants and were invited to apply for additional investment support. They were selected for reinvestment because of their success integrating the HP technology into their classroom curriculum, demonstrating measurable, positive impact on student achievement and proposing innovative plans to expand and sustain their new approaches to teaching and learning. Murray State University will receive an HP award package valued at more than $120,000. This package includes two wireless HP tablet PCs, two HP digital projectors, two HP printers and two HP digital cameras for faculty use, 40 additional HP tablet PCs for student use, and a cash stipend of $10,500. In addition, the grant includes travel expenses for one participant to attend the Worldwide HP Technology for Teaching Higher Education Conference in February 2007. Deans from each of the Murray State colleges have also committed funds to purchase tablet PCs for their participating faculty. “Our goal is to transform teaching practices and improve learning across campus,” said Dr. Terry Derting, a professor in the department of biological sciences and director of the HP project. “Based on outcomes of our initial HP project and published research, use of mobile technology stimulates faculty to vitalize and revise their teaching, and to think about the learning that occurs in their classrooms.” Faculty experts will act as mentors for new faculty participants from all colleges on campus, helping them incorporate tablet PCs into their teaching activities. Tablet PC use will be emphasized in five learning environments: large lecture classes, small classes, field courses, undergraduate research activities, and distance learning. Participating faculty will be engaged in professional development activities in teaching practices, technology-assisted teaching, and use of evidence-based approaches to making teaching decisions. They will also disseminate successful models and applications of technology-assisted teaching through presentations, workshops, and publications. Through these efforts “we have and will continue to build a campus-wide community of faculty who have documented evidence of improved learning in their classrooms. These faculty will further catalyze transformations in teaching practices and learning environments across campus and elsewhere” said Derting. Michael Wetherholt, director of the Murray State office of Sponsored Programs said, “In my experience within the private grants arena, technology awards like this are few and often very difficult to receive. For Murray State University to be among the top 10 institutions nationally to receive this prestigious grant from HP is an honor. Moreover, without the tremendous proposal development effort from Dr. Derting and the additional fiscal support from the university deans, the campus would not be receiving this tremendous improvement to learning.” The HP grant also complements an existing grant from Microsoft to assess the education value of tablet-based teaching. “Our ability to obtain grants from HP and Microsoft is a result of faculty members who are dedicated to using technology to improve teaching and learning,” said Dr. Ricky Cox, associate professor in the department of chemistry and project director of the Microsoft tablet grant. “Early efforts to develop instructional activities that included the tablet PC were in the college of science, engineering and technology. These grants led to a campus-wide initiative that will positively impact student learning.” Murray State University’s excellence in improving student learning through creative applications of technology, such as tablet PCs, relies heavily on its Center for Teaching and Learning Technology. Director Linda Miller and her staff provide workshops, seminars, technology forums and on-line courses to meet the needs of faculty in all disciplines year-round. By staying abreast of the rapid advances in educational technology, the Center for Teaching and Learning Technology helps faculty find new approaches and solutions for enhancing student learning. “Through the Leadership Grant, HP offers additional equipment and training so that the excellent work already demonstrated by these educators can be expanded,” said Bess Stephens, HP vice president, Philanthropy and Education. “We are delighted to make these reinvestment grants so that even more educators and students can benefit from innovative applications of technology to improve teaching and learning.” The HP Technology for Teaching program is designed to improve student achievement through the innovative use of technology in the classroom. Since 2004, HP has contributed more than $36 million in HP Technology for Teaching grants to 650 schools worldwide. The overall program is targeted to both K-12 and two- and four-year colleges and universities. More information about HP’s Technology for Teaching program and the 2006 HP Technology for Teaching Leadership grant recipients is available at www.hp.com/go/hpteach. Located in the scenic lakes region of western Kentucky, Murray State University has an enrollment of 10,200 students and has become known through the years for offering quality, affordable higher education. The 2007 edition of top college guide U.S.News & World Report’s America’s Best Colleges has recognized Murray State University for the 16th consecutive year as one of the best public schools in the nation. In addition to U.S.News, the university has been highly ranked by The Princeton Review, Money Guide, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, Southern Living, the MIT Student Review and a Carnegie Mellon study. Murray State has also been featured in The New York Times, The Chronicle of Higher Education and The London Times.