Professional Development

For technology integration to be effective, educators need to learn how to use and integrate it successfully. Professional development is crucial to an effective technology initiative. It includes preparing teachers to use technology to support standards-based teaching, student-centered learning, and using more effective strategies to reach today’s “wired” students. The goal of technology integration is to use technology seamlessly so that the technology itself becomes a transparent and integral tool tfor teaching and learning.

Planning a professional development program is the first task.  These eleven steps will get you started.

1. Develop a professional development subcommittee.
2. Demonstrate examples of classroom technology use.
3. Use multiple needs assessment instruments.
4. Design individual learning plans.
5. Identify leaders who can provide expertise.
6. Create a list of on-site learning opportunities
7. Share a list of off-site and online learning opportunities.
8. Build in time for staff planning meetings.
9. Share successes as well as expectations not yet met.
10. Continue to plan and re-evaluate often.
11. Create programs that provide on-going support.

  • Articles

    Online Professional Development

    Is Web-based training for improving instruction the right fit for your district? Here are eight questions to consider and a checklist.

  • Summer Professional Development Ideas

    If you could spend just sixty minutes talking with a group of elementary teachers who have not had much prior exposure to blogs, wikis, educator social networks, or other web 2.0 tools, what would you choose to discuss and explore?

  • Games for Learning

    As games become more of a mainstream form of entertainment, communication, and education, gaming falls into the category of professional development too. You can increase your teaching skill set by embracing a game you think will engage, motivate, and immerse your students in learning. Here are two recommendations.

  • Online Gaming: A Place to Start

    Digital immigrants like me are not comfortable with this new learning because it is so foreign. I thought I would try an online game for younger people. it would have to be easy, right?

  • From Their Perspective

    Educators discussing technology, especially web 2.0, need to set aside assumptions about what students really want and need and listen to what they say.

Technology & Curriculum Integration

The goal of technology integration is to use technology seamlessly so that the technology itself becomes a transparent and integral tool to teach core curriculum.

Learn more about integrating technology into various curriculum areas.

Case Studies

What makes a difference in deciding on what technologies to use and how and when to use them is evidence that they work. Case studies that demonstrate effective use of technology and show results provide information about what could work for us.

Visit the Case Studies section.