PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (moving forward)
Educators and administrators need to re-think how we approach professional development. Simply increasing time for professional development will not in and of itself improve teacher practice (Vega, 2013). It needs to be purposefully structured and, in as much as possible, customized to the particular context.
Here are a few potential solutions to begin the discussion. Also, click on our Resources page to see examples of success stories of technology integration.
Relevant Professional Development:
-personalized, connected to curriculum Pro-D: teachers need to see how they can use the tools in specific ways within specific content domains to increase student learning outcomes they also need to see which technologies will help them help their students meet their goals
-move away from the one-day stand-alone workshops and move towards ongoing, regular professional development
-give teachers time to play with technology - (Click here for more details)
-opportunities for teachers to observe other teachers using technology successfully
-work with knowledgeable peers
Online Learning Communities:
-teachers are encouraged to extend their learning by joining online learning communities (Check out A Teacher's Guide to Twitter and DIY Professional Development)
-teachers should become Connected Educators
Teacher Education Programs:
The most effective changes can be enacted before teachers begin teaching:
-teacher education programs should model effective uses of technology
-preservice teachers should be given opportunities to “test-drive” technology-integrated lessons
Relevant Professional Development:
-personalized, connected to curriculum Pro-D: teachers need to see how they can use the tools in specific ways within specific content domains to increase student learning outcomes they also need to see which technologies will help them help their students meet their goals
-move away from the one-day stand-alone workshops and move towards ongoing, regular professional development
-give teachers time to play with technology - (Click here for more details)
-opportunities for teachers to observe other teachers using technology successfully
-work with knowledgeable peers
Online Learning Communities:
-teachers are encouraged to extend their learning by joining online learning communities (Check out A Teacher's Guide to Twitter and DIY Professional Development)
-teachers should become Connected Educators
Teacher Education Programs:
The most effective changes can be enacted before teachers begin teaching:
-teacher education programs should model effective uses of technology
-preservice teachers should be given opportunities to “test-drive” technology-integrated lessons