June 2003 — Seeds of Innovation
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Models of Professional Development
Another project that is reaching a large audience is the Transforming Teaching and Learning Through Technology (T4) project (1999, www.ticg.cps.k12.il.us) based in the Chicago area. Two "master" teachers are selected from each of the 81 schools, and they provide professional development workshops that enable teachers to earn CEU credit for teacher recertification. In addition, master teachers have developed free technology-rich, multidisciplinary, standards-based WebQuests at the T4 grant Web site (www.ticg.cps.k12.il.us/index1.html).
Web-Based TrainingMany of the TICG projects use some form of Web-based professional development, often in conjunction with face-to-face training. One project that uses it exclusively is the Virtual High School project (1996, www.goVHS.org), which has been helping teachers integrate technology through its online professional development graduate courses - the Teachers Learning Conference and NetCourse Instructional Methodologies. The primary goal of these courses is to prepare classroom teachers to teach online in the Virtual High School, an Internet-based school.
Conclusion
In the seven years since the Congressional Office of Technology Assessment reported on the dire need for teacher technology training, the TICG program has impacted more that 60,000 teachers nationwide. It has also used innovative ways of helping teachers effectively use technology in their teaching. A school district looking to begin or enhance their technology with professional development can find great models among the 100 TICGs in the United States.
Reference
Spencer, D. 2001. "Project Venture Formative Evaluation Report: Year 3" September. Online: www.creighton.k12.az.us/projectventure/docs/evalreport2001.pdf.
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