Making Education Relevant and Interactive through Technology (MERIT)

For more than a decade, the Krause Center for Innovation at Foothill College (KCI) has hosted the premier educational technology-focused professional development program for educators. MERIT is Making Education Relevant and Interactive through Technology, a research-based, educator development program designed to help teachers bolster their curriculum with student-centered, technology-enhanced learning activities to motivate, challenge and inspire the diverse learners and leaders of the future.

The MERIT Program seeks to show through qualitative and quantitative measures that engaging technology in the hands of a well-trained teacher can improve student learning. Participants have the opportunity to learn to use and contribute to a variety of resources for collaboration, and are required to design projects not simply to provide dynamic learning experiences for their students, but also create open educational resources that will be of value to other teachers and students near and far. In helping to make learning and teaching more dynamic, MERIT is working to bring education out of the past and into the future that unfolds before us constantly.

MERIT Program starts Saturday, May 12, 2018 at 9:00am - 3:30pm AND

then the Summer Institute July 9 - 20, 2018, (Mon-Friday) 8:30am - 3:30pm

(plus four additional Saturdays in the 2018-19 school year)

Who should apply?

MERIT is a competitive program with an extensive application process and is open to teachers and educators (librarians, administrators, teachers on special assignment) of a variety of disciplines, grade levels, and school types, including college and university. International applicants are encouraged to apply, too! The program includes a special focus on math and science, where there is a significant need to help students develop confidence in and excitement for their future possibilities with these subjects. Participants in MERIT range in age, years of teaching and experience with technology, but all accepted applicants have the common potential to help their colleagues develop their understanding of and techniques with a variety of powerful technologies. We regret that not all applicants can be accepted into the program.

Important dates for MERIT 2018

MERIT Program Starts: Orientation: Saturday, May 12, 2018

MERIT Summer Institute: July 9th through 20th (Monday through Friday)

The four MERIT18 Follow up dates are usually announced at the Summer Institute

Application Process Opens: November 17, 2017

DATE EXTENDED: February 4, 2018 by 11:59pm

Acceptance Notices sent by: Saturday, March 3, 2018

Information Session for Applicants

Interested teachers and educators can view this informational video which took place on January 13, 2018 with two incredible MERIT17 teachers, Linda and Zac.

Take me to the APPLICATION

What is MERIT?

MERIT is a unique experience that brings together educators from diverse backgrounds and provides opportunities for growth.

MERIT Program

Take a glimpse of a typical MERIT program

MERIT Summer Institute 2010

MERIT Program Mission Statement

To promote innovation with technology, pedagogy, and content that will have measurable positive impact on education in the Silicon Valley and beyond.

MERIT Program Goals

The MERIT Program will:

Model a 21st Century classroom environment that demonstrates a) critical thinking and problem solving, b) communication, c) collaboration, and d) creativity and innovation that teacher-participants can replicate in their classrooms.
Integrate innovative technology tools and practices into the program learning environment that enhances teacher-participant engagement and learning.
Guide development of MERIT Teachers’ technology-enriched, student‐centered learning projects designed to improve students’ learning outcomes.
Present and model assessment strategies for educational technology projects, teaching practices, and learning outcomes.
Develop MERIT Teachers’ leadership in peer coaching, mentoring, and training skills in school and district venues as well as conference presentations at the local, state, and national levels.

MERIT Teacher Learning Outcomes

MERIT Teachers will be able to:

Facilitate and inspire student learning and creativity
Design and develop digital-age learning experiences and assessments
Model innovative, digital-age work and learning in a global and digital society
Promote and model digital citizenship and responsibility
Engage in professional growth and leadership with confidence

MERIT Teacher Incentives*

10.5 total college quarter units from Foothill College (6 units from the Summer Institute are paid by the KCI for California residents only; the other 4.5 units are paid by participant.)

$400 stipend upon completion of all summer institute requirements (for U.S. educators only)

1 cool technology tool or app to enhance teacher participants’ project work

$800 stipend upon completion of academic year requirements (for California educators only)

Note: All incentives are designed to support the ongoing innovation of technology into the curriculum.

[*Incentives subject to change]

MERIT Teacher Rewards

Participants who complete all the requirements of the two-week Summer Institute receive six Foothill College quarter units (continuing education units), a $400 stipend and a technology tool or app to enhance their projects. All incentives are designed to support the ongoing integration of technology into the curriculum, and by following through with fall and winter academic classes, training, activities, and project implementation, participants will receive an additional $800 stipend (California participants) in March of the year following the Summer Institute. These activities include helping other teachers learn to integrate technology meaningfully and therefore allowing the benefits of the MERIT Program to spread well beyond the classrooms of the participants.

Check out these pages in this site:

Frequently Asked Questions for Applicants
Requirements of Teacher Participants
Application Questions for Planning
Application Form (see the links on the Application Questions page, and choose the one that applies to you)

Requirements and Application

Northern California public school educators are highly encouraged to apply for a place in MERIT. The MERIT program also accepts private and charter school applicants, as well as applicants from all over California. International applicants are encouraged to apply. Non-local participants must provide their own housing and travel.

Applications are due SUNDAY February 4, 2018 by 11:59pm

Contact Us

If you have questions not answered in this site, you can email your questions to:

Lisa DeLapo, Innovator in Residence & MERIT Program Director

Krause Center for Innovation [650-949-7010]