The American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) has selected the Educational Psychology and Educational Technology’s (EPET) program at Michigan State University to receive the Best Practice Award for the Innovative Use of Technology.
The award honors the full collection of EPET academic programs, including a certificate, master’s degree and doctorate, all of which are offered through a mix of face-to-face, online and hybrid learning formats. The AACTE Committee on Innovation and Technology presents the annual award to programs that incorporate innovation beyond meeting national or state standards for program-wide educational technology integration.
Faculty and staff members will formally receive the award on Feb. 28 during the AACTE annual meeting in Orlando, Fla.
“We are extremely proud of our faculty in the Educational Psychology and Educational Technology program,” said Donald Heller, dean of the MSU College of Education. “They have long been leaders in both researching the use of technology in teaching and learning, as well as applying their knowledge in the classroom. This award from AACTE recognizes their accomplishments and national leadership in innovative uses of instructional technology.”
In particular, AACTE notes how deeply the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) framework (originally developed at MSU) influences the EPET programs and research efforts. This means students gain technological competency and learn how to seamlessly integrate that knowledge with teaching strategies and content (subject matter).
EPET is ranked within the top-5 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report’s Best Graduate Schools listing.
The innovative approaches taken through these programs — and others across the College of Education — are highlighted by the cover story in the most recent edition of the New Educator, the college’s official magazine.
You can also reach the faculty’s original proposal to the AACTE award committee for a more in-depth look at the EPET philosophy and strengths.