HP Technology Grant Has "Positive Impact on Teaching and Student Achievement"

June 3, 2008, Greencastle, Ind. - "Since the inception of the HP Technology for Teaching initiative, grant recipients have reported a positive impact on teaching and student achievement as a result of the program," notes an announcement of HP's 2008 Technology for Teaching Grants. "For example, DePauw University in Greencastle, Ind., redesigned a computer science course to add collaboration and provide more immediate feedback. The HP technology awarded from the grant enabled this new approach to instruction, and the course completion rate increased from 86 percent to 99 percent."

DePauw received Technology for Teaching grants in 2006 and 2007. The University used the grant monies to incorporate in-class, team-based problem solving activities into the introductory computer science course sequence. Each activity requires students to work in groups of two to three students to solve a problem mediated by the Tablet PCs and DyKnow software. Dave Berque, professor and chair of computer science and Tenzer Family University Professor of Instructional Technology at DePauw, says, "I have been amazed by how the classroom comes alive when students engage with the material and with each other to solve problems."

Access the HP announcement at Business Wire.

Dr. Berque's pioneering work led to the creation of software that is now marketed as DyKnow Vision and led to the development of pen-based technology that is now being used in classrooms around the country. The system, which is manufactured and marketed by DyKnow, was demonstrated by the professor in an appearance on Indianapolis CBS affiliate WISH. In 1997, Berque's efforts earned him recognition as the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching Outstanding Baccalaureate Colleges United States Professor of the Year. The professor also received the 2007 Mira Techpoint Award for "Education Contribution in Technology - Individual."

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