Clearly at my school, neither technological abilities among faculty members nor technology related staff development are not where they should be. Typically, our current staff development involves three or four one-shot “sit and get” sessions spread across the year, each on a different topic than the one before, that are attended by most or all educators in the organization. A “one size fits all” model is used, meaning that there is relatively little differentiation between, say, music teachers and math teachers and industrial arts teachers. Rarely is there follow-up. Rarely is there sustained, focused conversation about a specific learning issue over time. The end result, of course, is that most school staff development practices have little to no meaningful impact on instructional practice and/or student learning outcomes.
There need to be means by which teachers can tap into their technological needs whenever necessary based on individual needs. I think that a media specialist can find great benefit in using such tools like blogs, podcasts and wikis. These web-based tools can allow time flexibility which may finally to provide the type of professional development that can allow ongoing participation with a group with similar concerns and interests and can also allow the users to go back as often as possibly to refresh their memories on how to use the technology in question.
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In your last paragraph I was wondering if you mean that the person assigned to the staff development should personalize the training of the employees. If that was your intention then I think that is a superb idea and might be worth you passing along to administrators involved in the planning process of staff development. Our school tries to follow a theme (unlike it sounded in your school) but we too are frustrated with what you call the "one size fits" all.
It sounds as though technology training is the same for most schools. I presented some of the same concerns in my blog as you did. There were many times that I was in a room with 30 or more teachers and was unable to fully understand all the details because there was no power point or handout. The presenter also usually had a need to "move on" so it was difficult to ask questions. Now, I consider myself fairly intelligent, but I was born in an age when telephones had manual dials so my technology skills are adequate but not brilliant. (In other words, the Mozart of technology I am not.) I thought your idea of using blogs, Wikis, and podcasts was good, but I would also like to see technology presented in smaller groups with more interaction between the learner and the teacher. Also, some of these classes could be on a voluntary basis and then those teachers could teach that technology to their grade levels. Handouts with step by step instructions should always be provided.
How disappointing to have that kind of technology training not available. Unfortunately, I have sat in staff development sessions when all I think is, "I'm never going to be able to use this" or "I've got so much to do, I need to get back to my classroom." I really like your ideas about promoting technology as a media specialist and using it daily with teachers. It sounds like leading by example may be a great way to help support teacher technology needs at your school.
Jeanne,
I think you have the right idea by taking the time as the MS to personalize the training to your faculty. This may require changing the approach of your technology department, but it is something that can be worked at over time. Working in the "one size fits all" model rarely accomplishes the broader goals of the training.
It is interesting that educators would provide a “one size fits all” approach to teaching their own staff and faculty. I have seen this several times myself. The school or central office administration chooses a staff development and it is taught once to all teachers without regards to need or impact. These are usually the same people that have a lot to say about pedagogical choices in the class room. The situation you described is a waste of resources. Systems can spend hundreds if not thousands on trainers and programs, and the lessons are delivered in a lecture format without any time for discussion or use. I agree that a blog or wiki could provide more specialized help in areas of need. Then resources can be allocated to needs that will actually solve a problem. Teachers must be addressed about what they want and need if staff development will ever be useful.
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