Microsoft developed the Future Professors Pilot in June, 2003, to have the opportunity to work with selected universities on a new initiative to prepare future professors for 21st Century teaching and learning.  The pilot includes three universities—North Carolina State University, the University of Virginia, and the University of Washington--with each identifying four meritorious doctoral candidates from different departments to work with Microsoft. 

The respective candidates chose a professor mentor with whom to work in developing and implementing an innovative use of technology in teaching and learning.   A total of twelve students and twelve faculty mentors are participating over the academic year 2003-2004.
 
The primary goal of the pilot is for the student-faculty teams to develop teaching and learning models through the use of Microsoft technologies.  The future professors are equipped with the latest Microsoft technologies including Tablet PC, Microsoft Office 2003 System, and Visual Studio.NET. 
 
The project is being evaluated and documented by the Professor James Antony of the University of Washington, School of Education.  Reports of innovations and outcomes will be published on the Microsoft education website, in industry white papers, as well as in academic publications.
 

In addition, Professor Antony is exploring the following research questions as part of this evaluation:

How can higher education and the high-tech industry work jointly socialize doctoral students aspiring to faculty careers to teach using technology in the clasroom?

How does the challenge of innovating in the clasroom with technology shape the process of bi-directional socilization among doctoral students and faculty advisors?

What types of innovative uses of technology do faculty advisors and doctoral students develop when they have the tools and support?