Article Review

In the article, Technology Starts with Professional Development and Training (Peterson, 2016), districts share the creative ways they provide technology professional development and training when time and financial resources are in short supply.

Three things that I found insightful are:

• Schools that are successfully implementing technology recognize that technology has to be woven into a larger landscape of learning goals. It's important to look at both short and long term impacts. In the short term, adjustments should be made to professional development strategies as feedback is provided. In the long term, data and anecdotal information should be collected on the impact of technology in the classroom.
• Districts with successful professional development and technology integration recognize the overwhelming duties and tasks that teachers already face and find ways to "job embed" the PD with the use of technology specialists in each building. They understand that expecting teachers to go figure it out on their own time is not effective. Finally, there should be consistent follow up with teachers to make sure they aren't struggling with a particular tool or implementation strategy.
• Districts that make PD and training fun, find that teachers are more open and willing to explore technology integration without fear or inhibition. Providing incentives and unique approaches to PD make teachers feel in control of their own learning goals.

Two things I would like to see in my school/district are:

• I think my district is doing great things with our in house PD, but I would like to see more classroom support with more technology coaches. We are lacking in the follow up. I think teachers would appreciate the chance to co-teach a lesson or to have a lesson modeled for them.
• I would like us to continue to look for innovative ways to provide PD such as online webinars, Twitter chats, and more socially connected peer learning. I thought the idea of a Midnight Madness PD session one district did from 6:00 pm to midnight with food and interactive sessions was a fun and relaxed way to approach PD.

One question I have is:

• One district in the article said they use tech PD "points" as an incentive for teachers to participate in tech PD. They were able to cash in the points for technology in their classroom. I am wondering how the point system works exactly, and what kind of extra technology they can earn. 

The article can be accessed here.