About two years ago our media specialists and area lead teachers had a faculty meeting for this very subject. I still have the handout they gave us during the meeting (in fact I have it in front of me right now). The heading was Promoting Engagment Using Technology. In fact, I actually just typed it into a Word document and put on the school web site at http://stu.westga.edu/~mperkin2/Promoting%20Engagement%20Using%20Technology.doc. This was the one meeting that stands out in my four years at this school that was really worth while. I don't always remember the website (unless I go back to this sheet which I keep handy) but I remember them going through them in our faculty meeting and quickly introducing us to all of them. I also remember that day in the meeting that we (the teachers present) said things like, "We'll never remember this." But it was my first introduction to GPB.org and if you read my last blog, I can't live without it! I have also used the webquest site and now that I am looking at it, I think I will visit the virtual manipulatives site.
The media specialists and the area lead teachers had a productive meeting for many reasons. This was something useful that teachers need for instruction. They also carefully organized them on a sheet of paper so we could quickly grab it when we needed it. And last, they did not stand around with a lot of talk and jabber. They got right to the point in the meeting showing us and getting us to go to the web sites while they showed us. It was very informal and at the time sort of overwhelming, but in hind sight, I hope that one day I will give technology training that is this memorable and useful to my co-workers.
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7 comments:
Margaret seems asthough you had a very successful technology training with your media specialist and lead teacher. With them providing hands-on training it really helps the individual learn and remember information more effective. This the best kind of training to have. Your GPB.org web site provides great information on technology. I have been apart of technology workshops where the instructor did not provide hands-on assistance and felt very lost and confused verses an instructor providing hands-on assistance. I am all for technology training in the schools because teachers and students need up to date training on technology. The is a world ran by technology.
Sounds like the facilitators of that meeting four years ago provided a worthwhile experience by not only giving you a handout with quality websites, but also by making it a productive and useful training. There's a lot to be learned from developing a training that values teachers' time, provides them with a tool that is immediately useful, and creates an experience that is memorable.
Thank you also for sharing the handout with us. I checked out a couple of the sites and see why it has been so helpful to you.
Margaret,
What a wonderful blog! You have the actual experience to include with this assignment. I, like you, feel that if I have to sit at a meeting it should be worth my time and I should be able to incorporate the information into my lesson. I would like to add that each teacher should have a "cheat notebook" with the instructions for each area that they need assistance or use frequently. This notebook could be supplied by the system or each individual school and WE should be included in the preparation for simplicity of the text. Many tech. specialists use language that teachers may not be able to relate to so I would recommend a media specialist review the information prior to distribution. Another option is to place the responsibility on the teachers to arrange the notebooks while we supply the instructions. This would (hopefully) begin to remedy the confusion.
Margaret,
Thanks for sharing "Promoting Engagement Using Technology" with us. I printed out a copy and will definitely utilize these resources in the future. You hit on some points I feel are key in providing technology training for teachers. The presenter MUST provide information that is helpful, relevant, and easy for teachers to use. It was great that the area lead teacher and media specialists valued your time and got to the point quickly. I'm sure it was also helpful that they actually took you to the sites to show you the possibilities these resources provide. If they hadn't, it is unlikely anyone would have done so on his/her own. Teachers' schedules are so maxed out; often, despite interest, there just isn't enough time in the day. The presenter must hook the teachers just like teachers have to hook their students. Thanks for sharing your wisdom and experience.
I am glad that your media specialists and lead teachers had the foresight to prepare a document and conduct a traning session that would not only be helpful to the teachers in the present, but also in the future. The handy reference sheet, I am sure, made the use of technology easy and functional for all of your fellow teachers.
I agree, hands-on training is the best. I am so lost when I watch someone else do the work. I think that we need technology training in schools, but I feel that it should be pertinent to the teachers and their grade level. I believe that the only way that we compete with "the world" and keep many students interested is through technology. I also think that it's important to not overwhelm teachers with too much information at once. I'm reminded of "in-tech" trainings that we had to go through with all that information and so little time.
Thank you for the great sheet. You are correct, when technology training is simple, brief, and explanations with examples are given teachers tend to listen and utilize what you are sharing. It is when we have a 45 minute boring PowerPoint on one technology topic that tends to make teachers not buy-in and give it a try.
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