I have had various experiences with technology staff development at the schools that I have worked at and at the places where I have had field experiences. In my county we have tech staff development on an as needed basis. We have a group of central office techies that make the major decisions and acquisitions and then a tech support individual at each of our schools that relays that information to us. Most of the tech “support” consists of reminders to run Spybot and Adaware each week on our computers. We have had short tech training at faculty meetings to demonstrate this process accompanied by cheat sheets we can use to download and run updates.
This year we changed to Gmail and Infinite Campus and we have had a lot of training sessions and handouts dedicated to teaching staff how to take attendance, enter grades and run reports. We’ve had co-teachers give helpful hints for using Gmail labels and folders. Another co-teacher taught the faculty how to use the Promethean board in the science lab. The technology specialist at our school also had optional tech sessions to show us how to use the set of responders so that when they are available for classroom use, we will know how to use them. Last week four of our faculty (including me—yeah!), the media specialist, and the technology specialist were able to attend the 2009 Georgia Education Technology Conference. After teachers and technology specialists attend the GaETC, they generally provide a very short staff development at the next faculty meeting. This session shows the faculty as a whole a way to utilize technology more efficiently. Handouts are distributed to enable staff to apply the training to future needs.
The media specialists that I have talked with do most of their training in the area of utilizing Destiny, our OPAC. They create tech tip cheat sheets that enable teachers to find guided readers and resources more quickly by entering the correct terms in the specified search areas. When I am a media specialist, I will follow this same approach. I will find out what my school needs are and meet with grade levels to offer assistance in finding materials to support the standards that are taught. Then I will show them how to search for these materials efficiently using the OPAC and provide cheat sheets. Most teachers have very limited time for staff development and it needs to be a practical experience for them. Keeping training focused on the needs of staff will make the experience positive and worthwhile.
I don’t usually have a DON’Ts list, but I would try hard not to waste a teacher’s time with tedious tasks like telling me how to plan lessons when they have signed up to come to the media center. I certainly think that teachers should be involved with lesson development when they decide to sign up for a media visit. But they need to be able to state their needs and trust me to create a lesson that utilizes technology and media resources. As I model efficient use of technology, teachers will incorporate these kinds of activities in their classroom providing that they have the kind of technology available that supports it.
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Wow -- I wish our school system would change to GMAIL. We currently use Scalix and it is terrible. I have heard that the tech department was thinking about switching but they hated to have to train the staff.
ReplyDeleteOur tech department does not usually do any staff development, they only work on our equipment. Our school uses the RESA's for training purposes.
When I worked at the elementary school level, I was a tech liason for our school in addition to teaching third grade. This position allowed me to attend the technology conventions. Of course, I don't have that privilege anymore but I loved it.
Good post Linda --
Linda,
ReplyDeleteI also see many of the same patterns you do regarding experiences with technology. And we also have a group of central office techies who have the ultimate say-so. There are technology specialists who are shared between two schools each. Are you sure you’re not in Carroll County? LOL (I know you’re not because we use Surpass, not Destiny).
You mention tech support consisting of reminders to run Spybot and Ad-Aware, and I have to say, we should get such reminders; they may help. Teachers rarely do this without prompting, and we can’t possibly run it on everyone’s computer every week; there’s simply not enough time. We cannot access G-mail, but we do use Infinite Campus. I wish I could comment on how I like it, but as a parapro, I do not have access. I have to wait for someone who does to give me student numbers and enrollment information every time we have a new student. Google applications are very useful, especially when they are not blocked behind the school’s firewall. They are open-source and allow for collaboration. I really like their ease of use.
Also, don’t underestimate the importance of having students and teachers learn how to use the OPAC. I can understand students who are so small they need a chair to see the screen needing extra help locating materials using the online catalog. But when adults need help with call numbers, and fifth graders walk in and ask you where a book is without even looking in Safari first, there’s something to be said about having them trained. We remind students how to use it and train teachers as needed.
How did you like the GaETC? I can’t wait to be a media specialist so I can actually attend professional development workshops Right now I get to stay behind and run the media center solo because traditionally the media clerk would not need to go to these things. I just happen to be a student aspiring to have my own library when I graduate. Candace did not attend this one, but I don’t mind it when she’s absent either because it helps me gain experience.