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Literature Review
Professional Development is a critical necessity in today’s educational
environment. Teachers are facing a quickly changing environment including new
technology, new research about teaching and learning and new political
pressures to perform. Teachers are being held accountable as never before for
student achievement, particularly with No Child Left Behind legislation (2002). In
addition, the legislation requires ‘highly qualified teachers’ (Bush, 2002). We
reviewed the literature on three facets of Professional Development: elements of
effective professional development, professional development supported by
technology, and professional development particular to technology integration.
We also studied the literature on Inspiration Software, a graphic organizing
software, relating to literacy, as this was a component of our treatment.
Effective Professional Development
In the review of literature on ‘effective’ professional development, it
becomes apparent that there is little consensus on a definition of ‘effective’.
(Guskey, 2003) In some cases effective means what teachers like,(Salpeter,
2003); in others it means professional development that causes achievement
gains in students,(Kent, 2004); while in yet others it connotes a change in
teacher behaviors, (Wenglinsky, 2002). All three of these definitions seem to be
shades of a similar concept. If teachers enjoy their staff development sessions,
they are more likely to implement. Implementation changes teacher behavior,
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and if the implementations are done according to “best practices”, student
achievement is affected positively.
Teacher preferences that were noted repeatedly in the literature were “just
in time”, hands on, collegial, time effective. (Salpeter, 2003;Barnett, 2004;
Boudah, 2003) Teachers rate professional development as effective if they have
time to practice and prepare for implementation, if the subject matter is relevant
to their situation and if they feel they have support. (Kent, 2004; Salpeter, 2003;
Lee, 2005; Barnett, 2004.)
Changes in teacher behaviors and resulting student achievement through
professional development are summed up by Wenglinsky (2002):
… professional development seems to influence teachers' classroom
practices strongly. The more professional development teachers received
in hands-on learning, and indeed the more professional development they
received regardless of topic, the more likely they are to engage in hands-
on learning activities. And the more professional development teachers
received in working with special student populations, the less likely they
are to engage in lower-order activities.
Regardless of how effectiveness has been defined, there are some common
elements which have emerged:
1. Time: Teachers need time to practice and plan; Repeated exposure to the
material enhances implementation. Professional Development needs to fit
differing schedules.
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2. Support: Implementation is more likely when participants can get help.
3. Collegiality: Implementation is more likely to be sustained with a
community of learners who collaborate.
Technology in Professional Development
Carol Fine, in NCREL’s Policy Briefs, states: “Technologies can support
and broaden professional learning communities and help teachers make better
use of their time. ….Teachers can access at their own pace and at their own
place.” When teachers leave a workshop, they should be able to access
supplemental reinforcements. In the review of literature on providing
professional development for effective technology use, research has shown the
importance of current professional development emphasizing new methods of
staff training. It is not enough to provide traditional sit-and-get or one-time
workshops. Many teachers attend technology workshops and leave either
frustrated or overwhelmed.
To help teachers incorporate technology in ways that support powerful
instruction requires an array of professional development experiences
quite different from traditional workshops and how-to training sessions.
(David, 1996, pg. 238).
The office of Educational Research and Improvement, (1994), suggests that
examples of these different experiences could be mentoring, on-going
workshops, additional technical support and assistance, and structured
observations.
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Teachers need continued practice to become comfortable with technology.
(Kent, 2004; Salpeter, 2003; Lee, 2005; Barnett, 2004.) Time is valuable.
Allowing teachers the ability to access on-line support at their own leisure can
help alleviate the stress and barriers for using technology. The literature review
supports effective professional development programs that provide sufficient
hands-on time and follow-up support for teachers to master new content and
strategies. Teachers need additional time to practice and tryout new ideas and
reflect on what they are learning. This can’t possibly happen with traditional
one-time workshops. On-line support allows the teachers to learn at their own
pace. They can set their own schedule. Our study appears to be ground-
breaking work in that it specifically studies the effect of on-line support. However,
in a study of the South Windsor Public Schools (Kehrhahn, M. & Saylor, P.,
2003) key principles of current “best practices” in staff development were utilized.
One-shot workshops with sporadic follow-up were redesigned to reflect the need
for continuous training and ongoing technical support. They found that
“successful” professional learning occurred by having teachers participate in the
program design, by offering varying learning approaches, and by offering
coaching at the participants’ own paces. Their definition of successful appears to
be, “causing changes in teacher behavior”. With some extrapolation we feel it
can be asserted that on-line support can offer the different learning approaches
(tutorials, sample lesson plans, examples of student work, collaborative forums,
etc.) and the coaching described in the previously reported study. Instead of
reading “how to” manuals for new software/hardware, provide visuals like
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interactive video tutorial lessons. Once the teacher leaves a workshop, they
tend to forget “how to” use the technology or even why they should. The
development of supplemental website resources with “how to” video tutorials can
reinforce traditional workshops, thus helping teachers become successful when
integrating technology in the classroom. In addition, they can access actual
lesson examples, student work, standards, etc.
Technology Integration
As a nation over the past five years, there has been a high value placed
on integrating technology into the classroom setting. Gloria Bush, (2005), states:
The value of integrating technology into class curriculum is
emphasized in Title II-D of the No Child Left Behind Act, which calls
for the combining of technology resources and systems with
educator training and curriculum development to fulfill the primary
goal of enhancing learning and increasing student achievement. A
secondary goal of this federal initiative is to cross the digital divide
by ensuring that all students are technologically literate by the end
of eighth grade.
The literature available for review on how to integrate technology with
curriculum appears to be limited, and deals primarily with how to use the
internet at different levels. However, a few key issues arise in the literature
that is available. For example, according to Holum, A. & Gahala, J., 2001,
1. Professional development must be on-going
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2. Faculty must have access to technology tools
3. Professional development should focus on how to use technology
tools in ways that are relevant to the teacher
With technology integration, especially, teachers do not absorb all of the
critical information with a one-time workshop. Also, as they become more familiar
with an application, teachers become more ready to expand its use. Therefore, to
continue to expand the use of technology, they need to have opportunities
available to them frequently, at just the right level. (Cook, C.J. & Fine, C., 1997)
Teachers also need to see a link between the technology and the curriculum for
which they are responsible (Byrom, E., 1998). Teachers need to begin with the
curriculum and then see how technology can enhance teaching and student
learning.
Literacy
As cited numerous times, No Child Left Behind legislation, (2002),
emphasizes literacy as a part of “focusing resources on proven educational
methods.” It places funding on several reading initiatives as key parts of the
legislation. As such, moving all students to a “proficient” level of literacy, which
includes reading, writing, and comprehending, by 2014 is a top priority. While our
treatment focus was on a method of effective professional development, we used
literacy scaffolding through graphic organizers as the content.
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Scaffolding Literacy With Graphic Organizers
Scientifically based research cited in the literature review demonstrates
that a research base exists to support the use of graphic organizers for improving
student learning and performance. IARE (Institute for the Advancement of
Research in Education) contracted with Inspiration Software to provide findings
on research regarding graphic organizers to promote literacy.
Using databases such as ERIC, IARE conducted key word searches to
locate scientifically based research (29 studies) on graphic organizers and
theories supporting their use.
Four areas of literature were reviewed:
1) Learning theories that support Graphic Organizers (EX: dual coding theory,
schema theory, and cognitive load theory)
2) Benefits of graphic organizers on student achievement.
3) The use of graphic organizers for thinking and learning skills.
4) The use of graphic organizers in classroom work
As cited in the Institute of Advancement of Research In Education study (2003),
IARE drew the following conclusions from the literature review:
1. Use of graphic organizers are effective in improving reading
comprehension
2. Students using graphic organizers show achievement benefits across
content areas and grade levels. Benefits are also seen with students with
learning disabilities.
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3. Graphic organizers enhance skills such as developing and organizing
ideas.
4. Use of graphic organizers aids students in retention and recall of
information.
Further, there are two Cognitive Learning Theories supporting graphic
organizers:
1. Dual coding theory maintains we code information both verbally and
nonverbally. Such dually coded information is easier to retain and recall.
2. Schema theory explains Graphic Organizers can help student’s link
existing knowledge organized in schemas to the new knowledge.
One student researcher and a meta-analysis of 23 studies concluded that
graphic organizers moderately affect vocabulary test scores (IARE, 2003)
Two quasi-experimental student researchers focused on the use of graphic
organizers as a part of the writing process for second and their grade students.
Their reported results revealed that students’ writing skills improved.
The body of research reviewed suggests that the use of graphic
organizers strengthens connections, and enhances understanding, organization
and retrieval of information, thus assisting in literacy achievement (IARE, 2003)
Inspiration Software as a Graphic Organizing Tool
As the research indicates, graphic organizers stimulate learning and retention
by the use of symbols, images, text, and sound. Further research examined in
the literature indicates the effectiveness of using Inspiration to organize reading
and writing (Anderson-Inman, L., & Horney, M., 1997.) This study indicates:
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1. There was a strong relation between ideas and events when students
could use visual techniques to plan writing assignments. Students, who
had difficulty writing cogent essays, could visual an outline by using visual
thinking tool.
2. Findings also suggested that the use of a tool like Inspiration could be
helpful in working with students who have trouble with organizing what
they read and write.
3. Using a tool like Inspiration increased students willingness to spend time
working out connections in the material present in class and in readings.
Thus, students were actually spending more time planning their writing
assignments.
Lynne Anderson-Inman and her colleagues at the Center for Electronic
Studying, University of Oregon (1997), found that by using the Inspiration
software program, teachers could facilitate brainstorming, synthesizing
information, and organization more effectively and successfully. Students could
arrange material using the software’s menus and palettes. Further, they found
that teachers could use these graphic organizers to assess the level of student
comprehension. Also, using a technology tool like Inspiration, students can
make changes and revision more rapidly and neatly, allowing them to focus on
the meaning-making process rather than on mechanics.
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In summary, using Inspiration can motivate and stimulate learning for those
students who have lost much of the pleasure of learning. They can visually
demonstrate to themselves that they are learning and making progress in
transferring what they take in and what they put out in their own writing. This is
practical empowerment and more meaningful that any encouragement that
comes from an external source.
Conclusion
With the increased political pressure for highly qualified teachers
producing measurable student achievement outcomes, professional development
must be of the highest quality, effecting change in teacher behavior. This
literature review suggests that teacher behavior change can occur when
professional development is relevant, timely, research based and on-going with
support. Present models of professional development such as short term
workshops do not fit the criteria for effecting pedagogical change. Our present
study, The effect of on-line support on teacher- implementation of Inspiration
Software for scaffolding literacy , looks at how a supporting website may be an
effective method for professional development in the 21st Century.
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REFERENCES
Professional Development
Barnett, E., (2004). Characteristics and Perceived Effectiveness of Staff
Development Practices in Selected High Schools in South Dakota
[Electronic version]. Educational Research Quarterly, 28: 2, 3-18.
Boudah, D. (2003). Implementing and Sustaining Strategies Instruction:
Authentic and Effective Professional Development or "Business as
Usual"? [Electronic version]. Exceptionality, 11:1, 3-23.
Bush, G. W. (2002). Fact Sheet: No Child Left Behind Act. Retrieved August
2005 from
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/01/20020108.html.
Guskey, T. (2003). Professional Development and Teacher Change [Electronic
version]. Teachers & Teaching, 8: 3/4, 381-391.
Guskey, T. (2003). What Makes professional development effective? [Electronic
version]. Phi Delta Kappan, 84:10, 748.
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Kent, A. (2005) Improving teacher quality through professional development
[Electronic version]. Education, 124:3, 427-435.
Lee, H.(2005). Developing a professional development program model based on
teachers needs. [Electronic version]. Professional Educator, 27:1/2, 39-49.
Salpeter, J. (2003). Professional Development: 21st Century Models [Electronic
version]. Technology & Learning, 84:10, 748.
Sparks, D. and Hirsh, S. (2000). Strengthing professional development
[Electronic version]. Education Week, 19:37, 42.
Wenglinsky, H. (2002) How schools matter: the link between teacher classroom
practices and student academic performance [Electronic version]
Education Policy Analysis Archives, 10:12, Retrieved October 4, 2005
from http://epaa.asu.edu/epaa/v10n12
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Technology in Professional Development
Bush, G. (2004). Professional development [Electronic version]. THE Journal,
31:12, 20.
Byrom, E. (1998). Factors that affect the effective use of technology for teaching
and learning: Lessons learned from the SEIR*TEC intensive site schools. South
East Initiatives Regional Technology in Education Consortium website.
Retrieved October 4, 2005 from
http://www.serve.org/seir-tec/publications/lessons.html
David, J. L. (1996). Developing and spreading accomplished teaching: Policy
lessons from a unique partnership. [Electronic version]. In C. Fisher, D.C.
Dwyer, & K. Yocam (Eds.), Education and technology: Reflections on
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Office of Educational Research and Improvement, U.S. Department of Education.
(1994). Technology and education reform. Retrieved June 2005, from
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http://www.ed.gov/pubs/EdReformStudies/EdTech
North Central Regional Educational Laboratory. Cook, C.J. and Fine, C. (1997).
Critical Issue: Finding time for professional development. Retrieved May
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North Central Regional Educational Laboratory. Knuth, R. and Rodriguez, G.
(2000). Critical Issue: Providing professional development for effective
technology use. Retrieved June 1, 2005 from
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National Staff Development Council. Kehrhahn, M. and Saylor, R. (2000).
Teachers skills get an upgrade. Retrieved May 14, 2005 from
http://www.nsdc.org/library/publications/jsd/saylor241.cfm
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Technology Integration
Bush, G. (2004). Professional development [Electronic version]. THE Journal,
31:12, 20.
Byrom, E. (1998). Factors that affect the effective use of technology for teaching
and learning: Lessons learned from the SEIR*TEC intensive site schools. South
East Initiatives Regional Technology in Education Consortium website.
Retrieved October 4, 2005 from
http://www.serve.org/seir-tec/publications/lessons.html
North Central Regional Educational Laboratory. Cook, C.J. and Fine, C. (1997).
Critical Issue: Finding time for professional development. Retrieved May
14 2005, from
http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/educatrs/profdevl/pd300.htm
North Central Regional Educational Laboratory. Holum, Ann & Gahala, J., (2001,
October). Critical Issue: Using Technology to enhance literacy instruction,
(Retrieved May 14, 2005 from
http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/content/cntareas/reading/li300.htm,
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Graphic Organizers and Inspiration
Institute of Advancement of Research In Education (IARE). (2003, July). Graphic
organizers: A review of scientifically based research. Retrieved June
2005, from http://www.inspiration.com/vlearning/research/index.cfm
Anderson-Inman, L., & Horney, M. (1997). Computer-based concept mapping:
Enhancing literacy with tools for visual thinking. [Electronic Version].
Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy, 40(4), 302-306.