RESULTS OF SPRING SURVEY

Items Teachers need for Professional Development:

Dedicated Time: (time set aside for these purposes):

• Time to explore the possibilities
• Time to practice
• Time to plan and share with other teachers
• Appropriate time: early in the day, during school hours, without the responsibility of a classroom.
• Time with support people available

Access:

• Access to technology in the school, in the classrooms, all during the day
• Access to all types of technology equipment
• Access to the internet
• Access to technology at home through:
  • Network access
  • Laptops to take home
  • Education discounts for computer purchase

Training:

• By peer instructors
• Paid for by school or district
• Different levels of training
• Easy access to training, such as e-mail, distance learning, training in the classroom, and web based instruction.
• Train teachers and students together
• Ongoing training on an every day basis as the need arises
• Give teachers a choice of topics

Training topics:

• Basic instruction and exposure to what is possible
• How to select technology to fit the curriculum
• Real hands-on activities that they can use
• How technology can help teachers solve problems and accomplish regular work functions
• How technology changes the role of the teacher and the student
• How technology can enhance the learning process
• The potential and results of using technology in the classroom
• How to use technology as a tool and not as the product
• How technology can be used as a management tool and as a communication device to other teachers
• Exposure to all technology, not just the Internet
• Exposure to model classrooms where technology is being used

Support:

• Support from the administration and board. Use of technology by these people
• Support from peers, mentors, teams
• Support from parents and the community
• Immediate, on-site, ongoing technical support
• Support from the staff in the development of technology based curriculum and the relevance to the teacher
• Offer teachers incentives, credits, and recognition for their efforts