May 14, 2008Nancy Hale, SeidenbergSandy Flank, Education

Thinkfinity, Technology and Community Initiative at

Pace University

What is Thinkfinity?What is Thinkfinity at

Pace?Amount and Duration of the Grant

Part of the Grant Cornerstones 1: Expanding Thinkfinity Teacher Training

Cornerstone 2: Community Outreach and Empowerment

Cornerstone 3: Interdisciplinary Informatics

How can you participate?

5/12/2008

Page 2

Pace Leadership Team

Jim Stenerson – CTLT, Faculty Development, PLV

Geoffery Brackett – Provost Lindsay Bonilla – Thinkfinity Grant

Coordinator, (Start Date May 1st) Matthew Bonilla – Director of User Services Jeanne Dennison – VP for Philanthropy Sandra Flank – School of Education Nancy Lynch Hale – Seidenberg School Beth Gordon Klingner – Dyson College of

Arts and Sciences Rey Racelis – University Library Deanah Ismael Springer – Asst. Director of

Institutional & Individual Giving

5/12/2008 Page 3

What is Thinkfinity?

Thinkfinity.org is the cornerstone of Verizon Foundation's literacy, education and technology initiatives. Its goals are:• to improve student achievement in

traditional classroom settings and beyond by providing high-quality content and extensive professional development training.

• to provide a free, comprehensive digital learning platform built upon the merger of two acclaimed programs Verizon MarcoPolo and the Thinkfinity Literacy Network.

Cornerstone 1 Expanding Thinkfinity Teacher Training

Thinkfinity at Pace University initiative will expand and enhance the understanding, use and importance of the Thinkfinity platform as an instructional resource for students, faculty and administrators in K-12 schools.

5/12/2008

• Use social networking techniques to expand use of Thinkfinity in schools• Establish a SecondLife Island for Pace University• Establish Groups to explore its use and develop island features.

• Provide hands-on, in-class Thinkfinity platform training to underserved populations• ELL• Parents• Non public school teachers

• Provide training on use of Thinkfinity to Pace University user groups.

5/12/2008 Page 6

Cornerstone 1

Cornerstone 2Community Outreach and Empowerment through Service Learning and Volunteerism using and enhancing the Thinkfinity Platform.

Thinkfinity at Pace University will enrich the quality of life of community members in computer literacy and skills through civic engagement and address the digital divide by reaching out to seniors, women, under represented minorities and at risk communities.

5/12/2008 Page 7

• Develop interdisciplinary learning community courses that utilize new technologies.

• Expand civic engagement course offerings that utilize technology.

• Research use of Thinkfinity -SmartBoards for literacy, English Language Learners and high school content areas.

• Develop Assistive technology lab and associated curricula.

• Develop cyber safety curricula• Service Learning• Graduate Ed Tech• K-12

5/12/2008

Page 8

Cornerstone 2

Cornerstone 3Interdisciplinary Informatics with the Thinkfinity Platform

Thinkfinity at Pace University will advance the responsible practice of computing and the application of information technology into many critical fields and contexts including the environment and global warning, information assurance and security, application of information technology in health care. We use the term “interdisciplinary informatics” to describe the integration of computing and technology tools into the teaching and learning of various fields (science, the arts, business, health care, law) ultimately to improve the preparation for and practice of associated professions.

5/12/2008 Page 9

Data visualization/data analysis

Digital media

Assistive technologies

Social Networking

Chinese Language

5/12/2008 Page 10

Cornerstone 3

How can you get involved?

Small grants (stipend and/or release time) similar to the Presidential Grants for research, program and course development that integrate new technologies.

5/12/2008