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             Implications for Professional Learning

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             Implications for Professional Learning

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EDTC 640 Week 2 Discussion

Kerri Valencia

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What are the implications of my ideas on the design and delivery of online professional learning?

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What are the implications of my ideas on the design and delivery of online professional learning?

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When designing online PD, I think it is important to understand your district’s philosophy around teaching and learning.  What technology is currently being used?  What impact does technology have on teaching and learning?  It would be good to tour some schools and observe some classes to see how the students interact with and use technology to enhance their learning.  In my particular case, my school is accredited with AIMS, the Association of Independent Maryland and DC Schools.  AIMS “holds member schools accountable to standards and supports their ongoing efforts to strengthen their curriculums and pedagogy.” (http://www.aimsmddc.org/?page=1).

It is important to include research and examples of how and why technology integration can be successful in lower school.  I would look at what other AIMS accredited schools are doing and include their examples in my PD.  I think an online Webinar would be a good place to start.  That would be my focus to deliver the PD.  Since teachers are so crunched for time, I would offer a Webinar to introduce technology integration for AIMS schools.

Eventually, I would like to present at the annual AIMS conference and hopefully implement projects from my school that other AIMS schools could take back and use in their own schools.  To do this, I would have to work hard with my Lower School Head and the lower school teachers to pilot technology in classrooms.  I already have examples from my own Spanish classes such as Seesaw online digital portfolio, Classdojo for classroom management and organization, apps such as Raz-Kids online reading and story creation using the interactive whiteboard and Google Slides.

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Association of Independent Maryland & DC Schools. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.aimsmddc.org/

International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE (Rep.). (2017). Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/standards/essential-conditions

United States, U.S. Department of Education, Office of Educational Technology. (2016). Future ready learning. Retrieved from https://tech.ed.gov/files/2015/12/NETP16.pdf

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Identify one of the ideas of teaching with technology discussed in the plan and discuss how it can influence or enhance professional learning for educators. 

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Identify one of the ideas of teaching with technology discussed in the plan and discuss how it can influence or enhance professional learning for educators. 

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I really like the idea of Edcamp - the professional development that is specialized to the teacher’s needs and interests.  This type of professional development involves collaboration in an online format.  Teachers can share experiences, discuss successes and challenges and share ways that technology is used or can be used in their classes.  This would be an excellent option for professional development in my school.  Our school uses cloud-based collaboration to work on projects, participate in professional development and more.  It would be a non-threatening way to introduce teaching with technology in our lower school.  I also love the idea of connecting with others to grow as a teacher.  This goes very well with our co-teaching model.  “Teachers collaborate to overcome challenges together, often making connections that lead beyond the single session or day, as partnerships are formed to engage their students with each other.” (https://tech.ed.gov/files/2015/12/NETP16.pdf).

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            Teaching & Leadership for Tech Change

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            Teaching & Leadership for Tech Change

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How to create ideal learning environments with technology

Review:  2016 National Ed Tech Plan
Website:  http://tech.ed.gov/files/2015/12/NETP16.pdf

How can we move educators from where their technology skills and instructional strategies & methods are today to the active learning environment presented in the ed tech plan?

I think what speaks to me the most in the learning section of the National Ed Tech Plan is its explanation of growth mindset.  It states that,  “Growth mindset is the understanding that abilities can be developed through effort and practice and leads to increased motivation and achievement.”  (http://tech.ed.gov/files/2015/12/NETP16.pdf )

Guiding students through appropriate technology use, that enhances their learning, should help students realize that technology can have a huge impact on their learning.  Students can use technology as a tool to develop skills, research interests and information, and create.  This has a huge impact on their learning and educational experiences.  The same growth mindset idea can extend to teachers.  When shown how effective technology can be in terms of student learning experiences, and how it can create engaged and meaningful learning environments, teachers could see the benefits of using more technology in their classes.  Additionally, where adequate professional development is lacking in schools, teachers who have devices and programs to use can learn how to use them effectively to guide students and put them in charge of their own learning.

Teaching teachers to recognize these skills through appropriate use of technology is really key to guiding students to view technology less of a toy or means of surfing online and emailing, and more of an instrumental piece of their educational resources. “On its own, access to connectivity and devices does not guarantee access to engaging educational experiences or a quality education.  Without thoughtful intervention and attention to the way technology is used for learning, the digital use divide could grow even as access to technology in schools increases.” (https://tech.ed.gov/files/2015/12/NETP16.pdf )

It is important to show teachers how technology can help them to extend the learning outside of their classroom and enrich their lessons through virtual field trips and flipped classrooms.  Teachers should see that technology use can be a phenomenal way to motivate and spark creativity in students.  “Technology can help learning move beyond the classroom and take advantage of learning opportunities available in museums, libraries, and other out-of-school settings.” (https://tech.ed.gov/files/2015/12/NETP16.pdf )

In my experience as a Spanish teacher, using technology brings other cultures into my classroom.  Recently I was teaching my kindergarten class about Ecuador.  I used technology to show the students a map of South America on the SmartBoard.  Students got to come up and find Ecuador on the map and circle it with their “magic finger”.  I showed the students a video of Ecuadorian landscapes, which had a song in Spanish playing in the background.  I paused throughout the video to practice words and phrases using images from the video.  The students were swept away into a virtual trip to learn the words for landscapes.  This brought the learning alive and I was able to use more traditional materials such as posters and flashcards to reinforce the vocabulary.

The students were absolutely mesmerized and some even told their parents that they want to go to Ecuador because it was so beautiful.  This lesson made it so real and fun for them.  The students used images from the video and map to journal and discuss in class.  They are only five years old, and using technology in meaningful ways.

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How does providing online PD align with ISTE's Standards and Essential Conditions?

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How does providing online PD align with ISTE's Standards and Essential Conditions?

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I think providing online learning opportunities for teachers aligns with the Ongoing Professional Development ISTE Essential Condition.  Providing teachers with funds and space to pursue online PD such as webinars and online classes is important.  These types of learning environments can be highly specialized to the teacher’s field and also make it convenient for time-crunched teachers to participate.  Currently, AIMS offers technology PD at a yearly conference that mainly includes middle school technology integration.  There is a need for PD in the lower grades.

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What are the implications for professional development?

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What are the implications for professional development?

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I think the implications for professional development at my school would be more teacher and administration buy-in.  The lack of technology use in lower school has been overlooked and gone unquestioned for years.  It has been overlooked that students don’t use technology in grades K-2 and there is a general understanding that students simply start using technology themselves in grade 3.  If specific professional development were given that shines a light on our existing technology curriculum that spans all grades, K-8, teachers would begin to realize that, along with national standards, there are expectations in all grades to use technology in the classroom.  Additionally, there must be information on the benefits of using technology in their classes.

At the moment, most teachers in our school do not know that a technology curriculum exists.  It is housed with our Media Specialist, but not explicitly implemented.  Professional development will be a process, and the first step is to start by showing teachers our existing technology curriculum.  Teachers should be made aware of the curriculum and see where connections can be made in homerooms and other subjects where technology can be integrated effectively.

Another crucial step is to include the administration and ensure that an expectation is set.  Small goals and initiatives to use technology in the classroom should be expected and encouraged by the administration.  This is important to ensure accountability and to streamline our technology integration program throughout the school.  Currently, our only school-wide expectation when it comes to technology is that of teacher use through our blog communications to parents.  In Middle School, teachers are expected to use Google Classroom, but there are no expectations in Lower School.

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                               Standards Discussed: 

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                               Standards Discussed: 

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ISTE - International Society for Technology in Education
Website:
http://www.iste.org/standards/iste-standards

ISTE Essential Conditions:  "The ISTE Essential Conditions are the 14 critical elements necessary to effectively leverage technology for learning."
Website:
http://www.iste.org/standards/tools-resources/essential-conditions

Examples that I see of ISTE essential conditions at my school are:

1. Equitable Access:
We have a strong network and connectivity is almost a non-issue at our school.  The Technology Director ensures that we have strong Wifi connections throughout the school.  We are a Google-based school and all faculty and staff have a Chromebook.  Students have a Chromebook beginning in 3rd grade.  All classrooms have Epson Interactive Whiteboards.  One area that is lacking is in our lower school (K-2) where students do not use technology at all.  That is because of our school’s culture, which has a strong philosophy around play-based learning.  Another reason that no technology is used in K-2 is because there has been little turn-over of teachers and nobody has really questioned the relevancy of technology use in grades K-2.

2.  Student-centered Learning:
This condition, in terms of technology, is strong at our school.  Students often work in small groups or one-on-one with teachers to complete tasks and projects.  Students use Google Classroom to communicate with teachers and fellow students and they have a lot of freedom in choosing formats, apps and software that is best suited to their unique learning styles.

3.  Consistent and Adequate Funding:
We are fortunate to have a budget for technology in our schools.  For example, last year I proposed to purchase a digital Spanish curriculum to supplement our existing Spanish curriculum in K-2.  This was approved and is proving to be a stepping-stone for more technology use by students in lower grades.

ISTE Student Standards Examples at My School:

1. Creativity & Innovation
Students create digital portfolios for parent portfolio share (beginning in 3rd grade).  Students also use technology to create project presentations in multiple subjects.  Elective classes are offered in middle school for graphic design and technology use.

2.  Communication & Collaboration
Students use Google Classroom from 3rd-8th grade.  They communicate with teachers and other students via Gmail and Google Docs.  They use presentational software such as Prezi, Emaze, Google Slides, Voicethread and more.  They begin to collaborate on their work beginning in 3rd grade and have regular technology classes that teach them how to use apps and programs, as well as general digital citizenship.

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Which of these essential conditions do I feel is the most important for my role as a Technology Leader?

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Which of these essential conditions do I feel is the most important for my role as a Technology Leader?

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I think initially the two most important essential conditions for my school are Implementation Planning and Curriculum Framework.  I think teachers need to see the technology curriculum that we actually have, and understand the role that technology plays in their classrooms.  I think we need work on the standard of Skilled Personnel as it pertains specifically to appropriate

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Does my Professional Development Align with these Standards?

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Does my Professional Development Align with these Standards?

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The only professional development I have attended for technology is specific to equipment and programs.  For example, when my last school switched to Google, we had one staff meeting dedicated to learning the basics about Google Drive and Gmail.

While I think my current school does meet many of the ISTE Standards for teachers and students (Student-Centered Learning and Engaged Communities are the ones I see most prominent at my school),  we do so without knowing they exist.

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How does this information impact my planning for my DTTP?

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How does this information impact my planning for my DTTP?

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My plan is to create a DTTP plan for the Association of Independent Maryland & DC Schools, or AIMS, and the focus will be specific to early elementary classes.  I want to show how technology can be used in effective ways in K-2 classes, and is developmentally appropriate.  I want to explain ways to incorporate technology into lessons and how it can enhance learning, not get in the way of it.  I want to show teachers that technology in early elementary can be used effectively, and not interfere with a play-based curriculum or school philosophy.

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Identify one of the five ways presented on how         technology can improve and enhance learning.

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Identify one of the five ways presented on how         technology can improve and enhance learning.

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TEACHING

I think the key to building enthusiasm around using technology in teaching is to give teachers a reason to use it and show them how to use it. It is stated in the NETP plan in reference to teaching teachers how to incorporate technology effectively in their classrooms, that “the transition to technology-enabled preparation and professional development will entail rethinking instructional approaches and techniques, tools, and the skills and expertise of educators who teach in these programs.”  (https://tech.ed.gov/files/2015/12/NETP16.pdf)  It is important for schools to make technology integration a priority and give teachers adequate training on how to use it effectively.  This is in reference specifically to applying technology applications, programs and software, not just hardware and equipment.

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How does this information from ISTE impact my role as I plan, develop, and implement professional development?

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How does this information from ISTE impact my role as I plan, develop, and implement professional development?

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The ISTE standards and essential conditions make me think of the importance of professional development that teaches about how to use technology tools to enhance teaching practice and student learning experiences.  This is different from learning how to use technology hardware.  I might consider planning professional development that introduces the ISTE standards and discusses ways to apply them in class.  I would like to focus specifically on PD for grades K-2 so that teachers at my school can see how technology can be developmentally appropriate and effective for student learning.