On Becoming a Netizen
Pre-K-12 Technology Scope and Sequence
Prisoners of Time (Publication that includes a chapter on Professional
Development--Chapter Four: Give Teachers the Professional Time and
Opportunities They Need to Do Their Jobs)
Professional Development Labratory at NYU in NYC.
Professional Development: Learning From
the Best
Project
Interactive is one of several Modeling And Simulation Tools for Education Reform
(MASTER) Tools developed by The Shodor Education Foundation, Inc., a non-profit
research and education organization dedicated to the advancement of science and math
education, specifically through the use of modeling and simulation technologies
References and resources for the teacher
learning to use technology as an educational tool. "I have worked in the NYC elementary
school system for 8 years. During 4 of those years, I worked as a computer lab teacher.
As a result, I have had gained first hand experience with the successes and failures of
using technology in the classroom. By no means have I become the 'Technology Guru.'
However, I do believe that as a profession, teachers need more vehicles in which to
communicate and share their professional knowledge. Over the years, I have learned so much
from colleagues who have been kind enough to share their experiences and ideas with me."
Resources for Educators Take a look at
sites that have information on Acceptable Use Policies, Classroom Management, Grants and
Funding, Professional Development, and Schools on the Internet.
National Staff Development Council Library for staff development
resources.
Realizing New Learning for All Students Through Professional Development
(Fantastic resource for all aspects of professional development-Critical Issues)
The Southwest Educational Developmental Laboratory SEDL has
a GREAT set of resources that is inexpensive and extremely useful. There are a set of
booklets to guide professional development sessions. There are videos that correlate and have
examples of real students and teachers at work. We used one training module from them called
"Deconstructing Constructivism". It was great! The coolest thing about it was that as a
professional developer you practice what you preach. The session itself is very
constructivist. It has always bothered me that some of my training sessions are still pretty
traditional when I am talking about different ways of teaching in the classroom. They are
always hands on, but there is too much time when I am up in front telling everyone else what
to do. Janice Friesen.
Staff Development
from PSSA at PSU.
Staff Development ideas, content based lesson plans,
downloadable activities, tips on classroom resources, interactive
discussion boards, and more!"
A Planning Guide for Staff Development
This site provides extensive information about how schools can implement
professional development. Explore the benefits of having existing staff
become technology experts.
Staff Development for Technology Integration
Staff Development Iowa sample
Teacher Quality Helping Teachers Through High-Quality Professional Development
Teachers take Charge of Their
Learning: Transforming Professional Development for Student Success
Teaching Across the Curriculum - Writing Across the Curriculum
Teachwise.com is the web's only site that is dedicated
to empowering educators with personal peer support.
Technology for Teachers
See the whole section
on the one computer classroom, that might give you some ideas.
TECH USES IN AND OUT OF SCHOOL
"Students Embrace Technology" by
Jay Mathews Washington Post June 5, 2001
This article, which looks at how educators feel about the state of
technology in their schools, is a typical end-of-the-year summary
piece. Several of the teachers and administrators interviewed
mentioned how crucial -- and difficult -- the professional
development aspect of technology integration is, even after all these
years of using computers in their schools. The overall lack of
training means that some students do not have a knowledgeable
resource on the more technical issues that arise from using computers
to complete assignments. A more successful element of technology
integration has been the acquisition of computers, at least for
student use. The national average of student-to-computer ratios has
risen to 1:5, with wealthier school districts nearing a ratio of 1:1.
This program won a US Dept. of Education
award for exemplary professional development in technology.
The site
http://LivingInternet.com/ was built to provide a resource for training -
how the net was invented, how it works, advanced use, security issues, and
related info. In the last year, index pages have been added for software,
books, and people, a mailing list and chat area have been added, and
photographs of many of the people who helped create the Internet have been
posted. The site is in daily use by schools, libraries, colleges,
universities, and training companies around the world to teach people
about the Internet. The source code has just been released under the free
software GNU license. A few comments on the site by some knowledgeable
folks are copied below. If you find the site useful in your Internet
training activities, please tell your friends and colleagues.
Technology Proficiency by Technology Pioneers
Training Workshops
Tutorials OnLine:
Actden.com is a site that provides two
categories of tutorials, one on application skills and the other on
general learning skills. The application skills concentrate on Microsoft
products (PowerPoint, Office Suite, etc.). The tutorials are very
"user-friendly" with lots of screen shots. They are delivered within the
context of the classroom. They are great for both teachers and students.
The second category provides online tutorials/courses for math, writing,
etc. These opportunities focus on students. They provide real concrete
learning opportunities and can be used throughout the school year. A
majority of these tutorials under both categories are free.
FreeSkills.com is a site
that provides online courses for a minimal fee and online tutorials for
free. The free tutorials cover a wide range of categories... such as
Photoshop, FrontPage, Fireworks, Linux, Unix, MS office, Web Development,
etc.
The Visible Knowledge Project (VKP) is a five-year
project aimed at improving the quality of college and university teaching through a focus on
both student learning and faculty development in technology-enhanced environments. The Project
involves over 70 faculty from 21 campuses nationwide.
Wrong Turn an analgy about staff development.
>How can an administrator support the professional development program?
1. Be proactive -- learn how to incorporate technology resources into
meetings and your leadership role. Use spreadsheets, charts, slide shows,
email, digital images, etc. in reports and presentations.
2. Support technology staff development budget of 25% of the total
technology budget.
3. Reward educators and staff who make the effort to utilize technology
effectively in the classroom and workplace...support their attendance at
technology conferences and workshops.
4. Support educators who integrate technology by providing them with
resources they need... access to LCD projectors, digital cameras, scanners,
digital video equipment, software, etc.
5. Participate in technology in-services -- learn as much as you can and
model it's use.
6. Advocate for full-time instructional technology and technical support
staff. The weakest link in the system is staffing...EX...supporting 250
computers with one technician and no full-time instructional technology
staffing is NOT effective.
7. Acknowledge the efforts of those who participate in technology staff
development.
>What does an administrator need to know to support technology at their
>school?
1. Be well-acquainted with NETS (National Educational Technology Standards
for Students and now available for Teachers) (see: www.iste.org)
2. Monitor the integration of technology into the curriculum -- what are
the local, state and national standards and how are educators integrating them?
3. Understand the limitations and capabilities of your system. Do you
have an adequate budget to support technology upgrades, software licensing,
staffing, wiring, and staff development? Play a role in improving the
status quo by actively serving on your district technology committee.
4. Be familiar with model / best practices of technology integration.
5. Get a handle on the status of technology and information literacy
skills -- what do students know by the time they leave 4th, 8th, and 12th
grade? Hold educators accountable for integrating technology but you MUST
provide them with the support and resources.
6. Teachers can NOT be expected to integrate technology without
leadership, support, assistance, etc. in the form of instructional
technology support. There is far too much to learn in the ever-changing
world of technology --- hire technology resource staffing (instructional
technologists) to serve as the beacon who can provide support, staff
development, leadership, tech integration assistance. There are a few
teachers who do take the lead on their own but the vast majority are
overwhelmed by technology and need some level of assistance.
From:
Jan Wee, Instructional Technologist
School District of Holmen
Office: HHS
Holmen, Wisconsin 54636
http://www.holmen.k12.wi.us