Microsoft, Intel to Help Train 400,000 Teachers

Microsoft Corp. is donating $344 million worth of software to Intel Corp.'s

Teach to the Future program, which is designed to train more than 400,000

classroom teachers to use technology.

During the next three years, Intel will invest $100 million in cash,

equipment, curriculum development and program management to provide training

to teachers in 20 countries. U.S. regions targeted for the first year include

Arizona, Northern California, Oregon and Texas. Washington and New Mexico

will follow.

The Intel curriculum is modeled after its Applying Computers in Education

project, which consists of 10 four-hour classes. The program will train

teachers to use the Internet and multimedia software and to design World

Wide Web pages. Teachers also will learn how to create assessment tools

and align lessons with district, state and national standards.

A survey conducted in conjunction with a pilot program revealed that

84 percent of teachers said using computers improved their instruction,

and 80 percent said the technology enhanced students' learning.

Plans call for the establishment of 20 training agencies in the United

States by 2002 that will train 100,000 teachers. An additional 300,000 teachers

worldwide are also expected to participate.

Microsoft's hefty donation is the largest in the Redmond, Wash.-based

company's history. It allows all 400,000 participating teachers to receive

a free copy of both Office 2000 Professional and the Encarta 2000 multimedia

encyclopedia — both of which are featured in the Intel curriculum.