Professional Development Introduction

One thing we can consistently do in technology and education is call for more professional development. However, one thing we have not done very well is invest in the people who will be using and managing the technology in our schools. The effort over the last 20 years or so has been focused on providing technology to students. This seemed logical at first since education is for students, and most of the software that was developed at that time was for the students. Despite these efforts, we have not gotten the promised revolution or even minor reform. Significant change has not come about because educators were left out of the technology equation.We know from research what professional development, with or without technology, should look like. Effective professional development:

  • Involves teachers in the planning and selection, but balances the needs of individual educators with the needs of the campus and district;
  • Provides a practical, utilitarian component to all efforts;
  • Links educators to each other to create a larger learning community;
  • Offers ongoing support; and
  • Provides opportunity for experimentation and reflection.

Technology affects professional development in a positive way. First, unlike training, professional development is more concerned with helping teachers learn to use the technology in order to help students learn. It also focuses on helping teachers learn to have students use technology effectively in their learning. Second, technology is being used to deliver professional development through online courses, some of which contain robust video of best practices. Finally, policy-makers, states and districts are starting to provide incentives or requirements for professional development.

The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), Title II, Part D, requires that all grantees for formula and competitive grants use a minimum of 25% (at least $137 million) of the funds for professional development aligned to program goals. Although many states have had strong professional development programs for many years, the NCLB requirement has accentuated the importance and need to ensure that teachers and administrators receive the learning opportunities that are essential to successfully integrating technology into teaching and learning. Several states have implemented creative approaches to engage teachers and administrators in professional development activities, some of which are detailed in this section.

Featured

  • laptop screen displaying a typed essay, on a child

    McGraw Hill Acquires Essaypop Digital Learning Tool

    Education company McGraw Hill has announced the acquisition of Essaypop, a cloud-based writing tool that will enhance the former's portfolio of personalized learning capabilities.

  • glowing digital brain made of blue circuitry hovers above multiple stylized clouds of interconnected network nodes against a dark, futuristic background

    Report: 85% of Organizations Are Leveraging AI

    Eighty-five percent of organizations today are utilizing some form of AI, according to the latest State of AI in the Cloud 2025 report from Wiz. While AI's role in innovation and disruption continues to expand, security vulnerabilities and governance challenges remain pressing concerns.

  • The AI Show

    Register for Free to Attend the World's Greatest Show for All Things AI in EDU

    The AI Show @ ASU+GSV, held April 5–7, 2025, at the San Diego Convention Center, is a free event designed to help educators, students, and parents navigate AI's role in education. Featuring hands-on workshops, AI-powered networking, live demos from 125+ EdTech exhibitors, and keynote speakers like Colin Kaepernick and Stevie Van Zandt, the event offers practical insights into AI-driven teaching, learning, and career opportunities. Attendees will gain actionable strategies to integrate AI into classrooms while exploring innovations that promote equity, accessibility, and student success.

  • A child surrounded by glowing, fluid virtual patterns and holographic shapes, illuminated in a dark gradient environment of blue, purple, and pink.

    ClassVR Gets Expanded VR/AR Content Library

    Avantis Education has announced a new content library for its ClassVR virtual and augmented reality platform. Dubbed Eduverse+, the library features four content suites — EduverseAI, WildWorld, STEAM3D, and CareerHub — that can be tailored to suit a variety of educational levels.