<-Return to ISTE 3 Digital Age Learning Environments
Coach teachers in and model use of online and blended learning, digital content, and collaborative learning networks to support and extend student learning as well as expand opportunities and choices for online professional development for teachers and administrators
Professional Learning Considerations
For this topic, I have written a number of blog posts about professional learning methods that seek to effectively support teachers in their pursuit of optimal student learning, and expand opportunities for online professional development. In my blog post, ISTE Teaching Standard 3: The Power of Collegiality and Collaboration in EdTech, I wrote about the importance of creating collaborative and collegial spaces for professional growth. I followed this with my post, EdTech Professional Learning Considerations, which highlighted the following important features for successful professional learning.
- modeling the use of technology instead of teaching tools alone
- using backwards design
- tapping into informal learning opportunities
I also wrote the post, How Can Administrators Best Support Professional Development in Education Technology?, in effort to unpack the role of administrators in successful professional learning, which included:
- a shared vision
- time
- a budget
- curriculum specific learning opportunities
- administrator modeling of technology
- the encouragement of teacher leaders
- PD that is continuous and cyclical
Ed Tech Lead
In this position, I have modeled the use of blended learning and digital content in one-on-one coaching sessions, in faculty meetings, and in the Ed Tech Cafe professional learning sessions that I facilitate. Additionally, I have done the following to support the creation of teachers’ personal learning networks:
- encouraged teachers to learn from one another
- encouraged teachers to see each other as teacher leaders
- identified myself in my role as an available Ed Tech Lead
- brought in the district tech specialist to be a visible resource
- suggested the use of Twitter to broaden one’s learning network
<-Return to ISTE 3 Digital Age Learning Environments
