Institute for Learning Technologies

Ever notice the truth behind the saying "can't see the forest for the trees," when trying to research something online? The "web" continues to live up to the name, in all of its spiraling confusion, in its quest for a successful business model. It used to be that educational institutions could be counted on for a more scientific perspective, but online education is as competitive for students' dollars as every one else, well, almost everyone.

The Institute for Learning Technologies (ILT) at Teacher's College, Columbia University is an invaluable exception. The mission of the Institute is, in fact, downright noble. Modeled as a think tank on all aspects of technology in Education, the ILT seeks to "nuture, in a sustained manner, the humane application of information technologies..." It lists four main objectives: technology configuration, curriculum innovation, professional development, and policy formation. A mouthful really, but what it all means is making technology in education, and its practitioners, work for you.

The quality of the Institute's work is evident in its sponsorship of projects such as Harlem Live. This is a publication "written, created, presented, represented....by teens in Harlem...." about life in the city. The project offers youth the chance to develop skills in reporting, editing, digital production and publishing. Another project, the Harlem Renaissance 2001 (HR2K1) is developing six technology centers for public use, where learners will be able to access classes and seminars, led by remote instructors. Soon, a loan program will put computers in the homes of 50 project learners.

These program initiatives are just a sampling of the type of work ILT is doing. They also offer Intranet services, a literature search database, a relevant publications listing, and an incredibly helpful staff, dedicated to untangling the mysteries of the web. http://www.ilt.columbia.edu

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