Monday, February 13, 2012

Week 4: Action Plan

Professional Development Plan
“Teachers and Technology”
I believe that our number one priority regarding professional development and technology on our campus would be to educate our teachers, administrators, and staff on the various technology resources and tools as well as ways to utilize them each day.
 I would start with questions like:
o What types of technology do you use as a teacher to improve your curriculum and instruction?
o How can you effectively use technology in your classroom?
o Do you want to learn how to integrate technology into your classroom to improve student engagement and achievement?
 I would hope that our teachers and staff would like to learn about ways in which technology could be beneficial to both them and our students.
 I would then have our technology director explain the STaR chart and our current classifications in each key area.
o Highlighting areas of strength and targeting areas of weakness that need improvement throughout our campus.
 I would also like for our technology director to explain how the technology department uses this information to assess the needs of the campus/district in regards to technology and how the STaR chart can benefit each teacher on campus.
o By using this time to explain and understand the STaR chart I believe that teachers would be more likely to utilize this tool in assessing their individual needs and our campus’ needs.
 According to this year’s STaR chart we had the following classifications in each area:
o Teaching and Learning - Advanced
o Educator Preparation & Development - Developing
o Leadership, Administration, & Instructional Support - Advanced
o Infrastructure for Technology – Advanced
 After reviewing this data I would point of that our greatest weakness was in the area of Educator Preparation & Development, which is what the focus of our professional development would be, to improve in this area.
 Ways in which I feel we can improve are as follows:
o Each teacher will develop and maintain a Web page for their course. This Web page would serve as a resource for all students and parents.
o The content should include but not be limited to - course syllabus/requirements, course outline, lectures, assessment tools (reviews/study guides), STAAR/benchmark test preparation materials, and a link to our online grade book.
- I would not want to control the use of these websites in each class but would like to see the material outlined on the Web page utilized throughout the course. (ex. study guides or lectures that are downloaded or complete online)
o This resource would allow students to interact with course materials while integrating the use of technology into each teacher’s curriculum and instruction.
o In addition to the use of Teacher Web Pages, I would also like for teachers to use blogs within their curriculum.
- Tools such as these could be used as study resources, discussion groups, or in other ways that are beneficial to the teacher or class.
o Essentially teachers would be creating an online learning environment in which teachers and students can interact to promote learning and achievement.
 The development and maintenance of Teacher Web Pages would be an ongoing endeavor that would require a great deal of work on behalf of the teacher.
 I would encourage all teachers to begin developing the Web pages on their own or with the help of others or the technology department only when necessary.
 The technology department would provide an outline or guide for instructions for teachers that may initially need assistance.
 Hopefully all teachers will have a Web page up and running within two weeks from the professional development session.

Evaluation Plan
“Teachers and Technology”
 I know that this process will take a great deal of effort to develop and maintain but I believe that our teachers and staff will be able to accommodate these demands.
 The evaluation process would begin with each Assistant Principal reviewing all teachers within their particular grade levels Web pages.
o They would evaluate these pages to insure that they have met the outlined requirements detailed during our professional development session.
o Each teachers Web page should include the following course syllabus/requirements, course outline, lectures, assessment tools (reviews/study guides),TAKS/benchmark test preparation materials, and a link to our online grade book.
- If a teacher has not met all requirements they will be asked to update their Web pages with the proper materials.
- If there continues to be a problem with a teacher not meeting the necessary requirements then they will be asked to meet with the Associate Principal for Curriculum and Instruction and the Instructional Technology Coordinator to address the reasons why they have not completed their Web page.
- All teachers need to understand the importance of their Web Pages as a resource for their students and their parents.
 In addition to these evaluations I would have each Teacher distribute surveys to all of their students that address the ways in which they used their teacher’s Web page throughout the course.
o It is my hope and belief that these Web pages would have been utilized as a learning tool for students and also would have improved student achievement.
 If possible I would also like to survey any parents or stakeholders that accessed these teacher Web Pages and hear any feedback from their experiences.
 I would also like teachers to provide both the Associate Principal for Curriculum and Instruction and the Instructional Technology Coordinator with ways these Web pages benefited their instruction and curriculum.
 I would also like all teachers to provide new ways and new types of technology that they plan to use in the future.
 I would also encourage teachers to properly complete the STaR chart every year and would like to get any feedback they may have to improve our use of technology as a campus.
 I know that evaluating and assessing this type of technology use seems fairly simple, but it is my belief that this is a way for teachers to begin integrating technology into their classrooms and as technology advances hopefully so does our use of these resources in education.

1 comment:

  1. Excellent job, Meagan!!

    I think you action plan is based on solid information and addresses the needs of your campus. Starting with teacher web pages and blogs is awesome. Making sure that teachers understand the STaR chart is crucial in obtaining more accurate information. The questions that you would pose to staff is a great way to bring them in the process and know that their needs are being met. Since technology resources are expanding each year, it is great how you incorporated the future goals of teachers. Thank you for sharing!!!

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