August 10, 2001

WKU Launches E-Train Express For Teachers

Bowling Green, Ky. - Western Kentucky University's College of Education and Behavioral Sciences launched the maiden voyage of the E-Train Express on Thursday.

E-Train Express is a project designed to increase the number and quality of new teachers who are highly effective in using technology to facilitate, assess and communicate learning for all students. The project is supported by a $1.25 million Innovation Challenge Grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

E-Train Express will provide seminars and training workshops for teachers
at all levels and resources to assist new teachers with the use of technology in their instruction.

According to Dr. Leroy Metze, professor of psychology, director of Educational Technology and the E-Train Express grant administrator, teachers involved in Thursday's training had an opportunity to learn from two of the best in the business.

In the morning session, Peggy Kelly, co-director of the National Educational Technology Standards (NETS) project, discussed standards for using technology in learning and teaching. Her presentation included information about the use of technology throughout the curriculum and support services essential to the effective use of technology.

CompassLearning of San Diego, the leader in research-based, integrated digital-learning solutions, conducted the afternoon session. CompassLearning offers more than 7,000 hours of interactive standards-based managed curriculum that helps teachers manage student performance, personalize learning and connect communities of learners.

To learn more about E-Train Express, visit the E-Train website at http://www.etrainexpress.com.

For more information, contact Steven J. Haggbloom, head of the Psychology Department, at (270) 745-4427. More WKU news is available on the World Wide Web at www.wku.edu. If you'd like to receive WKU news via E-mail, send a message to WKUNews@wku.edu.