Proposal

Narrative

College of Education students face two critical FTCE certification checkpoints that determine their ability to complete their degree and enter the teaching profession. Without passing these exams, students cannot graduate with an Education degree—they must switch to general studies, delay completion by years, or leave the university entirely. This directly impacts retention and graduation rates while exacerbating Florida's teacher shortage. Two Mandatory Certification Checkpoints: *Program Admission: General Knowledge Test (GKT) must be passed before students can be formally admitted into the Education program ("become programmed"). *Student Teaching Qualification: Both FTCE Subject Area exam (demonstrating content mastery) AND Professional Education exam must be passed before beginning student teaching—a graduation requirement. This proposal creates an interactive FTCE preparation hub transforming exam preparation through collaborative, student-centered learning. The 75" display and wireless presentation system enable faculty-facilitated sessions where students engage in active learning and receive real-time formative feedback. Learning Liaison software provides personalized options—independent practice, one-on-one targeted intervention, or collaborative peer learning groups. We currently hold a 240 Tutoring license and are conducting a data-driven comparative study to determine which platform most effectively removes certification barriers and improves first-attempt pass rates. The space will also serve University Supervisors and AIT Mentors who support student teachers. The interactive technology enables collaborative video analysis, reflective practice sessions, and professional learning communities that improve mentorship quality during this critical capstone experience.

Facilities

ED334 - Office for School Engagement Collaborative Space Required Infrastructure Upgrades: This technology-enhanced collaborative learning space requires comprehensive electrical and network infrastructure upgrades to support the interactive display system, wireless presentation technology, and multiple concurrent device connections during FTCE preparation sessions and professional learning activities. Electrical Renovations: Installation of 3 new dedicated electrical receptacles behind the display wall Required to power the 75" commercial-grade interactive display, wireless presentation gateway, sound system, and room PC Professional installation by HV contractor ensuring proper load distribution and code compliance Telecommunications/Network Upgrades: Installation of 4 new network drops behind display including 1 spare for future expansion Essential for supporting Crestron wireless presentation system enabling up to 4 concurrent presenters Required bandwidth capacity for streaming FTCE preparation content from Learning Liaison and 240 Tutoring platforms, simultaneous wireless screen mirroring from multiple student devices during collaborative study sessions, video conferencing with remote supervisors, and cloud-based collaborative tools Cat6 cabling for high-speed data transmission Professional installation by LV contractor Professional AV Installation: Secure wall mounting of 75" display with integrated power distribution unit Cable management and concealment for professional appearance Equipment configuration, testing, contractor supplies and labor Current State: The room has basic electrical outlets and network access suitable for standard office use but lacks infrastructure to support professional-grade interactive technology. These upgrades will transform ED334 into a state-of-the-art collaborative learning environment capable of supporting technology-enhanced FTCE preparation and professional development activities for the next 7-10 years.

Hardware Requirements

All equipment complies with OIT standards for institutional technology, network compatibility, and security. Display System: Sharp PN-ME752 75" UHD 4K HDR Commercial Monitor - Professional interactive display for collaborative FTCE test preparation. 4K resolution displays detailed test questions to groups. Supports classroom observation video review for supervisor training. Chief AS3LDP7 Tempo Flat Panel Wall Mount System with PDU Bundle - Professional mounting with integrated power distribution. Wireless Presentation System: Crestron AM-3200-WF Wireless Presentation Gateway with Miracast - Enables up to 4 concurrent wireless presenters for collaborative FTCE study sessions. Crestron AM-TX3-100 AirMedia Series 3 Connect Adaptors (4 units) - Wireless presentation adaptors for seamless content sharing during group study. Room PC System: Dell OptiPlex Micro Form Factor (existing) Dell MFF/TC Dual VESA Mount with Adapter Bracket Crestron CBL-8K-HD-6 HDMI Cable (2 units) Startech DP2HD4K60H DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter Audio/Video Conferencing: Crestron SB-200-P-B Saros Sound Bar - Professional audio for FTCE study sessions and video conferencing. Logitech C920s HD Pro Webcam (existing) - Enables session recording and hybrid professional learning. Interactive Collaboration Tools: iPad-Compatible Stylus Pens (20 units) - Enables students to annotate practice problems during collaborative sessions with real-time problem-solving displayed on monitor. Organizational Supplies: TERGOO 2-Layer Storage Containers (6 units) - Stackable containers for organizing FTCE study materials and training materials. All hardware represents professional-grade solutions designed for heavy daily educational use.

Software Requirements

All software complies with OIT standards for institutional technology, data security, and network integration. Currently Available: Microsoft Whiteboard (Included with FAU's Microsoft 365 Education license) - Collaborative digital workspace with multi-user annotation capabilities and seamless FAU ecosystem integration. Existing FTCE Preparation Platform: 240 Tutoring FTCE Test Prep (Previously funded via Tech Fee Grant) - Credit-based system providing 3-4 months of comprehensive prep with online modules, quizzes, and practice tests. Materials continuously updated to align with Florida certification changes. Currently piloted with documented student success. Requested Software License: Learning Liaison FTCE Test Prep - Site License (20 student access codes) Comprehensive preparation platform covering all required Florida certification exams: GKT, FTCE Subject Area, and FTCE Professional Education Interactive practice tests with progress tracking and analytics Flexible learning options: Independent practice, one-on-one faculty sessions, or collaborative group sessions displayed on interactive monitor Real-time feedback during facilitated study sessions Comparative Evaluation Rationale: The College is conducting a data-driven pilot study to determine the most effective FTCE preparation approach. While 240 Tutoring succeeds with self-directed learners, Learning Liaison offers collaborative, faculty-facilitated learning for students requiring additional support. We will collect comparative data on pass rates, time-to-pass metrics, first-attempt success, retention, and cost-effectiveness to determine which platform most effectively removes certification barriers at program admission (GKT) and student teaching qualification (Subject Area and Professional Education). This evidence-based approach ensures optimal resource allocation for maximizing student success and graduation rates.

Personnel Costs

No additional personnel costs are requested for this proposal.

Other Costs

No additional costs beyond those detailed in the Hardware Requirements, Software Requirements, and Facilities sections are associated with this project. All Project Costs Included in Previous Sections: -Hardware and equipment (display system, wireless presentation technology, audio/video conferencing, interactive tools, organizational supplies) -Software licensing (Learning Liaison FTCE Test Prep) -Infrastructure upgrades (electrical and telecommunications renovations) -Professional installation (contractor supplies and labor)

Timeline

Year 1 (Months 1-2): Procurement and Installation Equipment procurement following FAU procedures and OIT approval Coordination with facilities for electrical and telecommunications work Professional AV contractor installation of display and wireless presentation systems Learning Liaison platform setup and faculty training Development of FTCE study session schedules Space configuration with organizational supplies and interactive tools Year 1 (Month 3-12): Launch and Implementation FTCE Test Preparation (Primary Focus): Launch collaborative FTCE sessions for GKT and Subject Area/Professional Education exams Faculty-facilitated group study, one-on-one intervention, and independent practice Parallel implementation of 240 Tutoring and Learning Liaison platforms Professional Learning (Secondary Focus): University Supervisor and AIT Mentor training sessions Collaborative video analysis of classroom observations Comparative Data Collection: Collect pass rates, retention metrics, and student satisfaction data from both platforms Year 2-3: Evaluation and Sustainability Analyze comparative effectiveness data to determine optimal platform Select and move forward with the most effective FTCE preparation solution based on student success outcomes Discontinue less effective platform to optimize resource allocation Presentation of findings to college leadership Implementation of sustainable, evidence-based FTCE preparation strategy

Sustainability

This project establishes permanent infrastructure designed for 7-10 years of institutional use with minimal ongoing costs. The professional-grade display system, wireless presentation technology, and network upgrades create a durable collaborative learning environment that will continuously serve College of Education students and faculty. Microsoft Whiteboard remains available at no cost through FAU's institutional license. Based on the comparative evaluation study, the College will select and maintain the FTCE preparation platform that demonstrates the strongest impact on student pass rates, retention, and graduation outcomes. The space addresses a permanent programmatic need—students must pass FTCE certification exams to graduate—ensuring sustained utilization and relevance. By directly improving pass rates at both certification checkpoints, this investment strengthens program enrollment and graduation rates, creating measurable institutional value that justifies long-term support. The technology-enhanced collaborative learning model established through this grant becomes a scalable, replicable approach for supporting students at critical program barriers across the College of Education.

Resource Matching

Existing Equipment: Dell OptiPlex Micro Form Factor PC (valued at approximately $800) Logitech C920s HD Pro Webcam (valued at approximately $70) iPad fleet for collaborative annotation during FTCE study sessions Existing Software: 240 Tutoring FTCE Test Prep license (previously funded through Tech Fee Grant, 900 credits for 225 students over three years) - Active platform enabling the comparative study with Learning Liaison

Implementing Organization

Primary Implementation: College of Education - Office for School Engagement The Office for School Engagement within the College of Education will serve as the primary implementing organization, managing day-to-day operations, scheduling, FTCE preparation sessions, and professional learning activities. Technical Implementation Partners: FAU Office of Information Technology (OIT) - Network infrastructure upgrades, equipment configuration, security protocols, and ongoing technical support. Professional AV Contractor - Installation of display system, wireless presentation technology, cable management, and equipment integration Facilities Management - Electrical (HV contractor) and telecommunications (LV contractor) infrastructure work