What is the Title III Grant?

Title III of the Higher Education Act assists eligible institutions of higher education to become self-sufficient by providing funds to improve and strengthen their academic quality, institutional, management, and fiscal stability. This highly competitive program awards about 55 five-year development grants each year. An eligible institution may apply for up to $350,000 per year for five years.

In 1999, the US Department of Education awarded Maryville College a five-year grant totaling $1,749,982. The sole focus of the project is to improve academic quality by integrating instructional technology into the teaching and learning process.

The Instructional Technology Initiative is our name for the Title III project that will strengthen the faculty, the curriculum and the way teaching and learning are conducted at the college. The project will involve all 68 of the full-time faculty members in a faculty development program to develop their technological literacy, and apply the skills and knowledge of instructional technology in the classroom. By fall 2005 when the grant ends, faculty members will show a significant improvement in their skills, knowledge and use of instructional technology as measured by an annual survey and other evaluative instruments and observation. In addition, student retention will improve.

By the end of the project in 2005, the following will be accomplished:

  • Sixty-eight full-time faculty members (100%) will have multimedia computers and personal printers on their desks, and will be connected to the campus network and the Internet.

  • There will be a staffed Instructional Technology Center at the college where faculty can learn and practice with equipment and software, and develop curriculum applications.

  • Faculty skills and knowledge in using the tools of instructional technology and integrating them appropriately into their teaching will significantly improve through a comprehensive faculty development program comprised of on-campus workshops, one-on-one consulting, hands-on practice, and off-campus conferences and workshops.

  • Faculty use of instructional technology as a pedagogical technique will significantly increase as a result of the comprehensive faculty development program.

  • Forty-six faculty members (70%) will participate in the Faculty Instructional Technology Fellows Program, and will have conducted curriculum improvement projects incorporating instructional technology into at least one course.

  • At least 98 courses in 10 disciplines will be strengthened through the integration of instructional technology strategies and equipment and software appropriate to the discipline.

  • There will be two new computer classrooms where instruction can take place.

  • There will be four permanent multimedia classrooms and ten mobile multimedia units available for teaching and learning.

  • Students will learn in an environment that accommodates a variety of learning styles that will contribute to improved retention and student success.

  • Students will have access to and practice with instructional technology hardware and software in their majors as recommended by discipline professional associations and accrediting agencies.

  • The Library will be strengthened by converting the Fine Arts Library to electronic format, developing an electronic reserves system, and providing for 24-hour access to electronic databases and indexes.

  • The infrastructure for instructional technology on campus will be strengthened by installing network connections and Category 5 cabling in all classrooms and faculty offices, and by installing a new e-mail system adequate for instructional support and Internet communications.

  • The use of contemporary computer-based instructional technology will be fully integrated into teaching and learning at Maryville College.