FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, November 10, 1999 Press Contacts: Christine Y. Fitzpatrick Manager, Communications & Planning Office University Information Technology Services (317) 278-1818 cfitzpat@iupui.edu Lisa Dellinger Manager, Media Relations Ameritech (317) 265-2766 lisa.d.dellinger@ameritech.com

AMERITECH GIFT TO SUPPORT INNOVATION IN TEACHING AND LEARNING WITH TECHNOLOGY AT IU

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA — Ameritech announced today a grant of $1,000,000 to Indiana University to support faculty innovation in teaching and learning with information technology. IU's Ameritech Fellows Program, made possible with this gift, will involve as many as 60 faculty on IU campuses over a five-year period in developing innovative projects. The award was announced at an IU faculty conference, "Teaching and Learning with Information Technology," on the Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) campus.

"Indiana University has a proven track record as being a national leader in the application and use of information technology," said Kent Lebherz, President of Ameritech in Indiana. "Our gift will establish Indiana University as a state and national leader in harnessing and applying creative uses of information technology to improve teaching and learning practices. The Ameritech Fellows Program will enhance faculty development and course delivery for all IU students, and ultimately enhance the competency of IU graduates employed throughout the state and region."

Michael A. McRobbie, Indiana University Vice President for Information Technology, said, "Innovative teaching and learning practices made possible through information technology will help assure IU's leadership as an educational institution in the next millennium." He added, "The University has made considerable progress in laying the foundation for innovation in the recent past. Ameritech's generous gift now makes possible an infusion of support to transform teaching and learning at IU."

Garland C. Elmore, Associate Vice President for Teaching and Learning Information Technologies at IU, stated that among the highest priority for Ameritech Fellows Program awards will be projects that involve large numbers of undergraduates and strengthen IU's connections with K-12 schools. He added that chief among the program's goals is encouraging a climate of support for innovation in teaching and learning practices at IU. "The Ameritech Fellows will serve as mentors to other faculty and help perpetuate an environment for innovation across the University," he said.

According to Elmore, a unique feature of the program will be the development of a database of information about best practices and a knowledge management system with the participation of Ameritech Fellows. "This Web-based system, based upon IU's award-winning Knowledge Base, will be available to all of IU's 4,574 faculty, associate faculty, and instructors, as well as the higher education community world-wide, and will significantly expand the reach and impact of the program."