DELTA-SCHOOLCRAFT ISD
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT MODEL PROGRAM
Project TELL helps school districts develop the internal capacity to provide high quality, low cost training for all staff.
TECHNOLOGY: This model emphasizes integrating technology into all K-12 curricular areas.
LEADERSHIP: Project TELL provides the level of support necessary to effectively use technology by emphasizing leadership development throughout the school system at multiple levels.
LITERACY: Emphasizes an expanded view of literacy that includes technological literacy, information literacy, and production literacy.
A NEW APPROACH TO PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
The goal is to provide teachers with the necessary training and support to effectively use technology to improve student learning. Our model is more closely aligned to training provided by business and industry. Critical elements of this model include:
1. Training for ALL employees - Training is considered an essential part of every employee’s job and professional development must be provided for 100% of all educators. If we are to reach all students, then we must also reach all teachers.
2. Professional development linked directly to work productivity - In education, training must be content based and grade level specific. Technology use must also be integrated directly to curriculum standards.
3. Training in technologies - Whenever new equipment/technology is purchased there must be hands-on training with follow-up support provided for all employees who will have access to the equipment.
4. Top management commitment to information technology - Those companies who are most effective at using technology have managers who encourage, fund, and actively support training in the use of technology. In education this requires training for administrators to take on this important role.
How does a school district with limited resources
provide this level of support?
Project TELL has developed a cost effective process with proven results.
PROJECT ELEMENTS
LEADERSHIP
The strength of our professional development program is its emphasis on leadership development throughout the school system at multiple levels.
Administrative Leadership Training - The effective use of technology in K-12 education requires an ambitious re-engineering of delivery systems. Project TELL staff has worked with consultants from a leadership consulting firm and the University of Michigan and has developed a project-based action learning model that represents a unique blend of leadership development, school improvement and organizational transformation. Using the model, administrators learn how to work with educators and community members to transform their schools using technology directly linked to student achievement.
Teacher Leadership Teams - The core of our model is the development of Teacher Leader Teams organized by grade level and content area. These Teacher Leaders receive substantial training in leadership skills, curriculum standards, teaching strategies, and the instructional use of technology. These teachers try out activities and technology in their classroom and work as a team to develop training programs and materials for other teachers at their grade level and content area. This includes developing technology integration curriculum units. These teams then provide a series of hands-on, technology workshops for 100% of the system’s K-12th grade educators.
Using this process, we provided a series of training for over 700 staff in 38 schools. What is unique about our model is that all workshops are specific for grade levels and subject area. For example, 2nd grade teachers were trained by 2nd grade teacher leaders and secondary science teachers were trained by secondary science teacher leaders. Training also includes Title I, Indian education staff, special education, and At-Risk program staff ensuring that all students are using high level technology tools. Not only did we see very high evaluations, we also saw a much higher rate of implementation. This cost-effective professional model saves 86.6% of the training costs, compared to outside workshops and conferences.
visit us online @ www.projecttell.net
LITERACY
Teacher Leaders are trained in multiple literacies. The Project TELL Professional Development Model emphasizes an expanded view of literacy that includes technological literacy, production/media literacy, and information literacy. Training for teacher leaders occurs in three phases:
PHASE I - Teacher Leaders are provided training in both technology standards and content standards. Internet access and classroom management of technology are some of the areas covered. Teacher Leaders also learn to develop technology integration instructional lessons.
PHASE II - Training is provided in communication technologies, multi media, data collection, web development, and digital video. This phase also emphasizes integrating production/media technology with socio-dramatic instruction. Teachers learn how to link production media with storytelling, scriptwriting, and drama production based directly on curriculum standards in science, mathematics, and social studies.
PHASE III - Training emphasizes data analysis, GIS (Geographic Information Systems), spreadsheets, databases, and full research projects. Teachers learn strategies on how to help students use technology in four areas:
1. Accessing information
2. Collecting data for research
3. Analyzing information
4. Synthesizing and communicating information
Training includes developing high level curriculum units which are showcased on a website. Teacher Leaders also receive leadership development training which includes learning how to be an effective change agent.
PROJECT TELL LESSONS LEARNED
>Teachers often need to re-think their uses of technology, not as “more to do” but “more effective means” of teaching and learning.
>Educators rate teacher leaders higher in end-of-session evaluations than other contracted “experts.”
>Teacher leaders have more credibility with other educators than do contracted technology trainers.
>Technology training is most effectively delivered when connected to standards-based lesson planning.
>Involvement of administration and technology directors is imperative for success.
>Student aides are helpful not only during training sessions, but for follow-up resources within the classroom.
>Educators need time to practice and process the new technology within the training sessions.
If you are looking for answers to the following questions:
DWhat are the major elements of the Project TELL Professional Development Model?
DHow do you provide staff development that helps teachers integrate technology into standards-based curriculum at grade level/subject area?
DHow do you select your teacher leaders?
DWhat levels of training do you provide your Teacher Leaders?
DHow does your staff plan with the Teacher Leaders?
DHow are your technology directors involved with your teacher leaders?
DHow do you provide effective follow-up training?
DHow can a district replicate this professional development model?
Attend
“Training Educators to Integrate Technology
into the Curriculum”
September 27 and 28, 2002
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Are you interested in the
Project TELL Professional Development Model?
Contact: Kristine Paulsen
Delta-Schoolcraft Intermediate School District
2525 Third Avenue South
Escanaba, MI 49829
E-mail: kpaulsen@dsisd.k12.mi.us
Phone: (906) 786-9300 ext. 106
Fax: (906) 786-9318