from Educators' eZine
Build it (your tech training seminars) and sometimes they (your teachers) will not come, unless you find ways to make it productive, personalized, and rewarding.
One of the major objectives for Technology Coordinators every year is how to involve teachers in staff development when there is so little extra time in a teacher’s schedule. Over the last three years, I have implemented various plans that have increased the use of technology by teachers in my school. I am going to list the activities/tips that I found to be most worthwhile. My vision, as I train, is to make more teachers dependent on themselves and each other and less dependent on the Technology Coordinator, as they integrate technology.
- In September, send out a simple survey of five questions asking teachers to indicate the areas of training in which they are interested. The survey could look like this chart that encourages staff to reply in a simple and quick manner. Give it out on Tuesday with a deadline of Friday so that you have a document with valuable information to aid in planning.
1. What are your individual technology goals for this year?
2. What technology related to the Standards of Learning (SOLs) do you want to use, and how?
3. What training do you need to attain your goals?
4. How would you rate your comfort level in using technology in the classroom? (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced)
5. Circle the programs you are comfortable using. (List of all software follows.)
- Activities before technology use: ____________________________
- Activities during technology use: ____________________________
- Activities after technology use: ______________________________
Figure 1: Spreadsheet Referenced in Question #2
Name
Tech Goals
SOL Related Tech
Training
Comfort Level
Software Comfortable Using
Mary S.
Computers as Centers
AlphaSmarts, Research
Software use
Beginner
Word, Kidspiration
John T.
Kidspiration, AlphaSmarts
Social Studies presentations of ancient locations
united streaming
Intermediate
Word, Excel, PowerPoint
Susan M.
Update website, more tech integration
LCD projector, Smart Board
AlphaSmarts
Advanced
AppleWorks, Graph Club
Tom D.
Create PowerPoint presentations based on content
Reading in content areas, Student quizzes online
PowerPoint for young students
Beginner
Word, Kidspiration
Joan H.
Use BlackBoard and unitedstreaming more
SOL review sites
Webpage creation
Intermediate
Publisher, Graph Club, Kidspiration
Ben H.
Use unitedstreaming with students
Publishing for students
Mini-sessions on software
Intermediate
Kid Pix, Kidspiration, PowerPoint
George A.
Webpage, Kidspiration, Kid Pix
Graph club for graphing
PowerPoint refresher
Advanced
Word, Excel, AppleWorks
Frank W.
Teach the basics of PowerPoint
Books - Word Processing, Publish student work
Review of PowerPoint and Word
Intermediate
Word, Kidspiration, Kid Pix, TimeLiner
Denise L.
Use more software, Webpage, BlackBoard
Write to communicate ideas
AlphaSmarts
Intermediate
Excel, Easy Grade Pro, Inspiration
Email:D. D. Coggins
