BGSU Classroom Technology E-Mag December 2014 | Page 16

Professional Developement

By: Lori Schwabel

In the educational realm, comfort with and skill using technology is more important than ever, considering standardized testing is shifting to online-based and blended and flipped classes are becoming more prevalent and showing success. Some educators jump right in, while others are more hesitant. Teachers themselved need an indivdualized, ongoing technology professinoal development plan in order to preare them to help students meet the technological demands placed on them during this 21st century skills push.

The purpose of my studty was to identify profesional development practices that can be used to help encourage technology use among teachers and to find a focus for that development. Of Fremont Middle School respondents, teachers want more help with research-based practices, project-based and collaborative learning, using technology for differentiated instruction, and profesional development through the use of technology. As of now, Fremont Middle School has to official professional development hub where teachers can share or access for new ideas. There is a way to incorporate this without the addion of cost. Through the utilization of a central resource site and sharing out during team and department times, there is an opportunity to provide content- specific and relevant professional development. Many teachers feel as though the professional development provided by the administration is not relevan

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