Taking a look back this semester, it has been quite a challenge. Professional learning and technology innovation proved to be more challenging than I was expecting.
This semester started with the professional learning current reality and GAPSS review. I’ve never done a GAPSS review before so this is a real challenge. From interviewing the school principal, we discovered our school doesn’t have a professional learning plan. The principal explained that because our school is so high achieving professional development was not a huge needed. Slightly disheartened from this realization, my partner and I set out to do the GAPSS review. The GAPSS review really opens your eyes to see what is going on in your school. Many of the sections on the GAPSS review we were emergent and an operational. However, as a teacher, I was disappointed that evaluating the impact of professional learning and long-term in-depth professional learning when I need and addressed in my school. Many sections of the GAPSS use research results; however those sections seem to be the ones most not addressed by my school.
I teach at a very large school where we have 150 plus teachers on our staff. Getting busy teachers to fill out surveys is never easy. I love that technology and what technology can do for us however the needs assessment survey would have had more results had it been on paper. We received 44 responses from the online survey. Some of things I found interesting were teachers really want to learn about podcasting and moving making. Many teachers are already using a few web 2.0 tools some that are already being used are the Voki and Quia. I really enjoyed both of those tools as well. All teachers may not be using too many web two boil tools now they’re ready to learn. The question “what Web 2.0 tools do you want to learn?” and so the highest responses. Examples of what they would like to learn are Prezi, PodBean, Glogster, Quia, SchoolTUbe, and Edmodo. From our survey we also got to find out how teachers felt about professional development. Most teachers felt there wasn’t enough professional development in technology and the like there to be more.
After reviewing the results from the then needs assessment assignment, my partner and I took a look at what teachers want to learn most. From there we developed the first two professional development classes. We focused on a Web 2.0 tool that allowed teachers to review material and assess standards. Quia.com is a fantastic site that teachers can quickly easily use. During these session, I really felt like I was making a different at the way teaches looked at technology. Teachers openly asked questions and wanted more information on how to go farther. I was encouraged to see several teachers really figuring out a way to implement Quia in the classroom. Shortly after the first session another teacher can to see me for additional help. Her PLC purchased a site license and was ready to get started with their first test. I found it very rewarding knowing that I helped them get set up and going, because in the long run this program can make lives much easier for teachers.
Over all this class has helped me understand the importance of regular ongoing professional development.
