Boilerplate Information Boilerplate (Word) | UI Info | College of Education Info | Iowa City Info
The University of Iowa, founded in 1847, is the largest of the three state public universities in Iowa. A member of the select Association of American Universities, the University maintains a balance between scholarly research, teaching, and service. It places strong emphasis on undergraduate, international, and interdisciplinary education and brings students together with distinguished teachers and scholars in a close-knit, intellectual community. The University is rooted in a culture that values education, and has been consistently recognized nationally and internationally for its teaching, research, and public service. TIME Magazine recently placed the University of Iowa in an elite group of seven schools in the nation recognized in its "best school for you" category. U.S. News & World Report ranked the University of Iowa as the 19th best public university in the country. Several Colleges and programs of study have also been ranked among the best by U.S. News and World Report. The Fiske Guide to Colleges listed the University of Iowa among 43 institutions that "offer remarkable education opportunities at a relatively modest cost." And in a national survey appearing in the Newsweek/Kaplan College Catalog 2002, the University was recognized as among the top “schools that support diversity.” Located in Iowa City, the 1,900 acre campus has over 120 buildings. People from all 50 states and over 106 countries attend or work at the University. Total enrollment averages over 29,745, with over 20,200 undergraduate and 9,500 graduate students attending the University full-time. Degrees are offered in the University's eleven Colleges: Business Administration, Dentistry, Education, Engineering, Graduate Studies, Law, Liberal Arts, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Public Health. The University employs approximately 1,700 tenured or tenure-track faculty. Ninety-eight percent of the tenured/tenure-track faculty possess the highest degree in their field. The University also employs approximately 11,776 permanent full-time and part-time staff. Among the faculty and staff, the University of Iowa boasts 18 Pulitzer Prize winners, 11 American Academy of Arts and Sciences inductees, 4 Howard Hughes Medical Investigators, 5 Former U.S. Poets Laureate, and 1 President's National Medal of Science recipient. Twenty five Instructional Technology Centers (computer labs) are located in the University's residence halls, libraries, academic departments, and the Iowa Memorial Union. These centers provide more than 1,200 computers along with printers and software. The systems within these Centers are all connected to the Campus fiber optic computer network. The network allows connections to the mainframe and file servers on campus on which run applications such as e-mail, InfoHawk (the library's electronic card catalogue), the Internet, and other applications pertinent to various courses of study. The University of Iowa has one of the most extensive research library systems in the country. The University houses the main library and 11 departmental libraries, including a Law library. The libraries contain approximately 4,210,463 bound volumes and 7,000,000 volumes on microfilm. In addition, the libraries hold 47,264 serials and 72,957 monographs. The University library system also contains several special collections. The Iowa Women's Archives, now in its tenth year at the University, provides a rich resource on the lives of Iowa women. The Special Collections Department of the Main Library and the John Martin Rare Book Room in the Health Sciences Library are the major repositories of rare and special collections. The Special Collections Department holds 200,000 rare books, 700 manuscript collections, and 10,000 individually cataloged manuscripts. The John Martin Rare Book Room presently contains 4,700 volumes, including 24 which were printed prior to 1500 A.D. Faculty and staff at the University of Iowa work collaboratively with business and industry on a variety of projects. These projects have led to strong University-Industry links. The University's Oakdale Research Park offers businesses engaged in basic and developmental research, product development, and production linked to research and development the opportunity to establish a sustained working relationship with academic researchers. The University also leases land at the park to organizations that want to construct and occupy separate facilities. The Technology Innovation Center offers a range of services and facilities designed to foster the development of new business ventures--particularly those that make use of advanced technology. The strength of the center lies in its ability to couple the scientific and technical capabilities of the University with the expressed needs of the business community. The University of Iowa Research Foundation believes that transferring intellectual property developed at The University of Iowa to the marketplace is an important means of fulfilling the institution's research and public service mission. To accomplish this mission, the Foundation works with University faculty, staff, and students who wish to disclose ideas, inventions, and discoveries that may be of benefit to the public. Following disclosure, the Foundation helps these researchers obtain appropriate intellectual property protection (patents, trademarks, etc.) and licenses for their inventions. The University of Iowa is committed to providing equal access to information, programs, and activities through its technology and web pages, services, and resources. For example, the University of Iowa Information Technology Services (ITS) Assistive Technology (AT) Support implements various technologies to empower and enable disabled members of the University community. ITS works closely with partners on campus to provide efficient, effective support for individuals with disabilities. ITS Assistive Technology Support offers a variety of AT resources on campus and makes every attempt to accommodate all AT needs. There are AT computers in seven ITCs across campus equipped with Screen Readers, Scan and Read Software, Voice Recognition Software, Screen Enlargers, Alternative Mousing Equipment, Braillers, and OCR Scanning Software. The University of Iowa also encourages all web designers to incorporate sound and accessible web design in to their sites. AT Support maintains an up to date listing of accessible web design resources at UI as well as a growing list of external resources which can guide webmasters through the accessible web design process. The
University of Iowa libraries also provide access to information
for all members of the University community. Wherever possible,
staff at the main and all branch libraries remove barriers
that prevent equitable access for persons with disabilities.
Assistive Technology equipment at main library includes
a Closed Caption Device, Kurzweil Reading Machine, Visual
Enhancer, Screen Enlargement Software, Trackballs, and a
VersaBraille System.
Founded
in 1872, the University of Iowa College of Education is highly
regarded nationally and internationally for its teaching,
research, and innovative educational training. U.S. News and
World Report has consistently ranked the College of Education
among the top graduate schools in the nation in its annual
report on America's best graduate schools. In the 2003 America’s
Best Graduate Schools, the College was ranked 30th among the
top Colleges of Education in the country. Several programs/specialties
within the College also received high rankings, including
Rehabilitation Counseling (ranked 3rd), Counseling/Personnel
Services (ranked 12th), Elementary Education (ranked 12th),
Educational Psychology (ranked 17th), Higher Education Administration
(ranked 18th), and Secondary Education (ranked 18th). The College is divided into four divisions: (1) Counseling, Rehabilitation, and Student Development, (2) Curriculum and Instruction, (3) Educational Policy and Leadership Studies, and (4) Psychological and Quantitative Foundations. Approximately 1000 teacher education undergraduate and 900 graduate students are enrolled. The College offers more than 57 degree programs (M.A., M.S., M.A.T., Ed.S., Ph.D.), as well as certification and licensure-preparation opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. Undergraduate programs offer a major in elementary education and in licensure-preparation in the secondary school disciplines of art, music, English, science, social science, communication studies, mathematics, ESL, and foreign languages. Graduate-level programs prepare students for careers as K-12 teachers, special education teachers, community college/college/university professors, counselors, testing specialists, administrators, psychologists, and in other education-related fields. The College has over 95 tenured, tenure-track, and clinical faculty members actively engaged in research, teaching, and service. Many faculty members have established partnerships with community school districts throughout the state to develop and investigate new methods of learning and teaching. In addition, several faculty members work collaboratively with colleagues from other Universities on federally funded research projects exploring cutting edge pedagogical techniques. The College of Education is home to the Iowa Testing Programs, an international leader in the field of educational testing and measurement. The Iowa Tests of Basic Skills and the Iowa Tests of Educational Development, both developed by Iowa Testing Programs, are widely used throughout the United States and Canada. Faculty working in the program continue to explore ways to improve and enhance testing as a measurement of educational achievement. Iowa City has become the site of a thriving testing industry thanks to the contributions, research, and expertise of Iowa Testing Programs personnel and the College. The Center for Advanced Studies in Measurement and Assessment (CASMA), housed in the College of Education, pursues interdisciplinary and international research-based initiatives, leading to advancements in the methods and practice of educational measurement and assessment. As one of Iowa's interdisciplinary testing centers, CASMA performs, promotes, fosters, and disseminates high-quality research in measurement and assessment. CASMA’s primary focus is to develop new measurement procedures and psychometric methodologies that are responsive to contemporary needs and initiatives in testing; and to advance the technology of how testing and assessment programs are created, delivered, evaluated, and validated. The Center for Evaluation and Assessment (CEA), also housed in the College, conducts a wide variety of program evaluations in collaboration with faculty across the University of Iowa campus and with school systems, colleges, and universities throughout Iowa and the United States. The mission of the CEA is to (1) improve the quality of evaluation theory and practice, (2) provide high quality skills development and training activities for graduate students, (3) contribute to research on program evaluation and outcomes assessment, and (4) provide high-quality services to clients in need of program evaluations, evaluation consultation or technical assistance, and outcomes assessment consultation. Project evaluations conducted by the CEA range from higher education minority recruitment and retention programs to science, history, engineering, technology, and health care training and curriculum projects. The College is also home to the Connie Belin and Jacqueline N. Blank International Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development. The Center, founded in 1988, is the most comprehensive center in the United States dedicated to research, training, and service in gifted education. The Center trains teachers to work with gifted students in their classrooms or to become Advanced Placement teachers. Summer workshops provide an enriched curriculum for the state's gifted students. Recently, the Belin-Blank Center added a focus on international education for the gifted, and offers training workshops for foreign educators and scholars. The College of Education is also a national and international leader in several other areas of education. For instance, the College's mathematics and science education programs have received national and international recognition for classroom material development and innovative instructional delivery methods. The College is a resource for teachers, administrators, and communities throughout the state. For example, faculty in the Reading Literacy Program work collaboratively with K-12 teachers. In the Reading Recovery Program, teachers are trained to teach disadvantaged readers. Faculty assist school districts with curriculum development, provide consultation and counseling services, and administer professional development/continuing education workshops. The College is also a statewide leader in administrator education. Additionally, the Institute for School Executives, a membership organization for school districts and educational agencies, provides continuing education and professional development opportunities for school leaders across Iowa. On an international level, the College is working with educational systems in Eastern and Central Europe, Indonesia, and East Timor in training social studies teachers and the development of a democratically focused civics curriculum. The College is also continuing its long tradition of providing staff development to Korean science endeavors. In terms of technology, the College of Education has a long and distinguished history involving technical applications in education. Practical inventions from the first machine that automated the scoring of answer sheets in 1955 to recent advancements infusing modern multimedia production and communication tools into the teacher training program reflect an ongoing commitment to innovation. In the College's most recent review by the Iowa Department of Education, special recognition was given to its technical accomplishments and the technical resources and services available to faculty, staff, and students. The College has paid special attention to and received recognition in the area of assistive technologies for learners with disabilities. The College of Education Learning Resources Center houses: (1) the Curriculum Resources Laboratory, (2) the Educational Technology Center, and (3) The Iowa Center for Assistive Technology and Educational Resources (ICATER). The Curriculum Resources Laboratory makes the most current Preschool – Grade 12 instructional materials available for evaluation and use by faculty and students in the College. Materials include over 30,000 books for children and young adults; activity kits, videos, games, audio cassettes, and pictures; CD-ROMs; K-12 textbooks; curriculum guides from school districts and State Departments of Education; activity and idea books for teachers; bibliographies; and reference books. The Education Technology Center provides computer services to College of Education students. The Technology Center also assists students enrolled in College of Education Technology courses that involve implementing technologies in the learning environment and production of instructional Web materials. The Technology Center supports a variety of application software such as word processing, spreadsheets, and multimedia production tools including HTML, photo editors, scanners, color printers, Internet tools and utilities. Faculty, staff, and students may check out digital cameras, computer projectors, and other AV equipment from the Education Technology Center. Staff are also on hand to assist in the preparation, production, and presentation of instructional materials. The Technology Center supports the development of traditional materials, such as overheads and video tapes, to the most current digital technologies, such as graphics, audio, or video for use in CD-ROM production, digital presentations, or web development. Faculty have access to film/slide scanners, flatbed scanners, non-linear digital video editing, linear analog video editing, and a full-service video production studio. The Iowa Center for Assistive Technology and Educational Resources provides hands-on training for faculty, staff, and students on the use of assistive technology software and equipment. Students with visual, cognitive, and/or orthopedic disabilities have access to Braille and embossers, screen readers, OCR and text readers, voice recognition software, screen enlargers, writing tools, and other adaptive devices. Current and future teachers, administrators, and counselors find ICATER an important resource for information about available assistive technology and how it can be used to create classroom materials that meet the educational needs of students with disabilities. The College of Education houses three computer-networked classrooms and a computer laboratory. Each classroom has an Apple Macintosh and/or a Gateway Desktop system and equipment for Instructors. Students have access to 55 Apple Macintosh and 39 Gateway desktop computers, interactive video disc players, CD-ROM players, scanners, and a CD-ROM mastering unit. All computers are networked and can be used to access the Internet.
The
University of Iowa is located in Iowa
City, just 50 miles west of the Mississippi River. Founded
in 1839, Iowa City was the first capitol of the state of Iowa.
Iowa City is the county seat for Johnson County and has a
population of approximately 62,380. A forward-looking community,
Iowa City is casual and cosmopolitan and offers many diverse
activities usually available only in larger cities. Iowa City
serves as a meeting place for scholars, artists, and scientists
and is home to excellent hospitals, medical research, and
scientific research. In 1999, Iowa City was ranked 59th out
of 134 smaller metro areas for entrepreneurial activity by
Cognetics. In 2003, the Forbes/Milken Institute list of best
places for businesses and careers ranked Iowa City as the
#2 best small metro area in the United States. Iowa City is
within 300 miles of several major cities including Des Moines,
Chicago, Omaha, Milwaukee, St. Louis, Kansas City, Madison,
and Minneapolis.
|
Grant and Research Services Center
Please report web site problems to the College
of Education Webmaster
