Practice What You Preach A New Staff Development Model

Bryan O’Black, MSEdDirector of Technology, Shaler Area School District

Keystone Technology Integrator SummitBucknell UniversityJuly 2010

Agenda

Opening Activity: Activotes

Staff Development Model

Strategy Exchange

Evaluation Activity

Discussion/Questions/Act 48

Shaler Area School DistrictBackground Information Located North of Pittsburgh

5,000 students

425 teachers

8 buildings

5 hours of Staff Development (included as part of contract)

Where Do We Want to Be?Helping our teachers become 21st Century Educators

How Do We Get There?

5 Stages (APPRR)

Analyze

Plan

Practice

Reflect

Respond

Stage 1 Analyze09-10 Needs Assessment Results

• 29% of teachers do not believe that they are able to teach these skills to students.

• 36% of teachers believe that they are learning how to do so.

• 35% of teachers were already comfortable doing so.

Stage 2 PlanTechnology Staff Development Goals

2009-2010

Provide opportunities for teachers to use technology to deliver instruction

2010 and Beyond

Build capacity within teachers to create technology enriched learning environments where students are actively involved in student-centered projects.

Stage 2 Plan

Topic selection PowerPoint Activotes Blackboard

Communications Online registration Registration Confirmation Reminder emails

Stage 3 Practice

Motivational opening

Focus on Blackboard (Technology Training)

Differentiated instruction

Guided practice

Independent practice – producing curriculum based product

Stage 4 ReflectElementary School Teacher Feedbackfrom Staff Development Session on Wednesday, 01/27/2010

“This was an extremely practical, useful, and friendly workshop. I am not as frightened about using powerpoint presentations and look forward to learning more in the future. Thank you. “

“I heard some very positive comments about your tech training that took place on Monday.  Mrs. X said she appreciated that you made the people who are less "tech savvy" feel at ease & that it was one of the best tech training sessions she has attended.”

Stage 4 ReflectPrimary School Teacher Feedbackfrom Staff Development Session on 01/19/2010

“This was my favorite tech training thus far. I can't wait to use ActiVotes!”

“I thought that this was a very helpful and great new tool for us to use in our classrooms.”

“This was a very useful training and peeked my interest in the use of this device.”

Stage 4 ReflectWhere Are We?

One trainer conducting majority of sessions for consistency

Sessions focus on best practices: clearly designed goals, differentiated instruction, curriculum-based

75+ hours of staff development completed

Promoting teacher collaboration via Technology eTimes newsletter

Stage 5 RespondWhere Do We Want to Be?

Promoting 21st century teaching and learning skills

Implementing technologies that support the development of rigorous and relevant curriculum

Facilitating a team of teacher trainers to promote a technology-enriched environment at the building level.

Stage 5How do we respond?

Equipment management

Push-in technology support

Additional hours dedicated

Topic selections

Strategy Exchange/Brainstorming

Please take this opportunity to exchange ideas about your district’s staff development model with others.

Also, discuss whether any of the ideas presented in this model might be applicable in your district.