Professional development in VUSD for technology is almost nonexistent. The only technology professional development I have attended was last summer. It was optional and a one day event. However, it was amazing. The way it was set up was more like unconferencing. We could not do them all in one day. We had to choose 2 session. One in the morning and one in the afternoon. I chose Google Apps For Education for my morning block. The setup was self driven. We signed up on a Google classroom set up specifically for this training. We chose the videos we wanted to watch, and discussed them with our table. In the afternoon, I chose the group using apps in the classroom. They walked us through Quizlet, Kahoot, and other apps we could use in our classroom, This was the BEST PD I have ever been to. Even with the turnout being more than they planned for, and the overall excitement from the teacher and the apparent thirst for more information. We have not had another PD on integrating technology. This is what is missing from our district. This is what is going to be effective, this is what teachers want! Now if you asked me before the training what exactly I wanted from a technology PD, I would not have been able to tell you. I knew programs and apps were out there free for the taking, but I was not even sure what I need to know to formulate an appropriate response. Now I know. I want to know what to use to transform my lessons with technology. I want to see it modeled so I can use it in my classroom. What is not effective is expecting all teachers to know how to effectively integrate technology into the classroom without training. Teachers need time to plan and research and test out new technology. Teachers need to know its okay to try something new and possibly fail. We need to know that our administrators trust us to try again and succeed.
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AuthorI am a 5th grade teacher for Visalia Unified School District. I teach at Oak Grove, we are a k-8 school site. Archives
November 2017
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