The tool is given to the teacher to keep and use throughout the program, which includes a week of technology training, development of an instructional plan, and actual classroom implementation of the plan. Regional coordinators are assigned to the teachers to provide year-long support. The regional agencies also have technology tools available for teachers in the region to borrow, including six learner sets of Palm handhelds and ImagiProbe sensor-based data acquisition systems from ImagiWorks (at http://www.imagiworks.com), and a class set of 30 Palm handhelds available through the Center for Educational Technologies.

According to Lynn Blaney, InSTEP's professional development coordinator, "Using technology that enhances a student's learning experience contributes to achievements and shapes lifelong success and lifelong learning. We want all math and science teachers in the state to have this experience."

David Gewirtz is the author of How To Save Jobs and Where Have All The Emails Gone? For more than 20 years, he has analyzed current, historical, and emerging issues relating to technology, competitiveness, and policy. David is the Editor-in-Chief of the ZATZ magazines, is the Cyberterrorism Advisor for the International Association for Counterterrorism and Security Professionals, and is a member of the instructional faculty at the University of California, Berkeley extension. He can be reached at david@zatz.com and you can follow him at http://www.twitter.com/DavidGewirtz.