TechTeach Innovation Program

Teacher education students bring a deep understanding of educational theories, pedagogy, and student needs, while computer engineering students contribute technical skills in engineering design, programming, software development, and problem solving. This collaboration depends on cross-disciplinary teamwork and enables students to learn from one another’s fields and perspectives, thereby enhancing their communication, collaborative skills, and project management. Through this collaborative process, computer engineering students will gain experience connecting with and creating content for a teacher client while teacher education students will enhance their professional development by working with education technology which will prepare them for future evaluations, considerations, and implementations of technology in their classrooms.

The game will be developed according to the Engineering Design Process (EDP) and the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles, which describe an all-learner approach to the design and delivery of instruction and instructional materials. The EDP is an iterative approach to solving real-world problems. It begins with identifying and researching a client’s problem, defining objectives and constraints, and evaluating design alternatives to select the best solution. A prototype is then developed, tested, refined, and optimized before final implementation, ensuring an effective and innovative outcome. By integrating UDL principles within the EDP design phase, STEM education and curricular game design can cater to diverse learning styles and needs, fostering a more equitable and personalized learning experience for both the creators of the game and its future users. This approach aligns with the principles of universal design, inspired by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. UDL considers variability in learners as a fundamental aspect of design, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity for all students, not just those with identified disabilities or specific needs. It follows, then, that learning environments and activities framed through the UDL principles are designed to encompass a range of considerations for all learners to experience multiple means of engagement, representation, and action and expression.

Teacher education and computer engineering undergraduate students will work with a secondary teacher as their client for this project. The client will be a teacher from the CRLT Educator Advisory Board (EAB) which is composed of educators from across the state of Indiana who offer insight and feedback on various CRLT projects. At the outset of the program, one of the first tasks for the undergraduate students will be to have communication with the client to learn about the client’s problem and the need. The team will need to further communicate with the client to understand the problem with more details and identify the objectives and constraints of the game. This process may involve meeting potential users as well. This project will help education students to develop their skills by focusing on creating effective learning goals, while computer engineering students learn to design tools oriented to meet the needs of their clients and potential users. This collaboration fosters a deeper understanding of both educational strategies and inclusive design.