TP5-ProDev

= = =Professional Development= // **Members: Mark, Maribeth, Sherry, Brian, Piper, Suzy** //

GAP ANALYSIS (Updated):

 * Opportunities for technology professional development throughout the year such as Tech Academy and Tech SIP Day have been successful. However, staff can easily forget what is taught if it is not being used or given time to use on an ongoing basis.
 * There is lack of access to 24/7 learning spaces specific to our staff needs, that can be accessed quickly and from anywhere.
 * Professional development tends to focus on the technology tools, but professional development for technology integrations is more effective when it is delivered in the context of curriculum content, effective pedagogy, and student learning.
 * The integration of technology in the district is not consistent between the schools. Inconsistent implementations of educational technology among teachers and among schools is noted and needs continued staff development and support for district-wide standardization of technology skills.
 * Professional development has been trainer-based and not based on systemic implementation.
 * Administrators and teachers are not consistently familiar with NETS-T and NETS-A standards.
 * More professional development for Administrators is needed.
 * The 'Thunder Mac' program requires teachers to attend 8 hours of professional development to receive a laptop computer for personal and classroom use. Despite encouragement that those teachers collaborate with colleagues, there is a lack of systematic sharing of technology successes and projects with other teachers within their own schools as well as district-wide.
 * Typically the technology tools that students use are chosen for them - they are not often allowed to choose their own tools to enhance learning.
 * Students are often not viewed as technology experts or valued as mentors/trainers in the classroom.
 * There is a lack of release time for ongoing need-to-know professional development.
 * There is a lack of consistent understanding of the Acceptable Use Policy and Copyright law as it pertains to computer usage, videotaping, creating webpages, posting online videos, and student performance.

ACTIVITIES TO CLOSE GAP (In Progress):

 * Institute a virtual Help Desk to provide teachers with technology support at their point of need. A virtual help desk would also reinforce social networking skills.
 * The identification and use of social networks, course management systems, wikis, blogs and instant messaging services should be implemented on a district-wide scale.
 * Use video conference tools to offer professional development, either in the classroom or at home.
 * Thunder Mac participants should be supported in order to informally share what they have learned with colleagues.
 * Professional development must foster the interdependent aspects of TPACK (technology, pedagogy, content) for teachers so that they are not approaching any one area independent of the others. Pedagogy and technology should not be presented separately or in isolation.
 * Administrators should continue to model technology usage for their teachers, and teachers should continue to model technology usage for their students and each other. Best practice in technology should be modeled by everyone.
 * Administrators should encourage and support teachers who want to try various models of technology integration in their classrooms.
 * Student mentors/trainers should be cultivated.
 * Continue to support professional development through self-evaluations using NETS-A and NETS-T to give teachers an idea of their level of technology skill and to clarify for them areas in which they might need improvement.
 * Use survey tools for teachers to self-evaluate tech skills to help define the areas where more professional development instruction is needed. Use staff skill surveys to fine-tune what professional development classes need to be offered.
 * Continue to provide a Tech Academy as it has been a successful model for professional development. Explore ways to capture the Tech Academy experience for teacher access at any time, or offer additional opportunities during the year.
 * Provide opportunities for students to choose their own technology tools to enhance their own learning.
 * Review the Acceptable Use Policy and Copyright law with teachers to promote the ethical use of technology.
 * Continue to provide opportunities and support for district staff and students to attend and present at technology conferences.

MONITORING PLAN (TBD):
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