2.+Teacher+Training

TLA 2011
 * We CAN All Get Along: Successful Library, Technology, and Classroom Collaboration**


 * Teacher Training**

Our goal to create an awareness of current media services and evaluate existing and new resources addressed the need to keep services and resources fresh on the minds of our staff.

We created Tech Tuesdays and Tech Thursdays – site based monthly training open to all staff.
 * Each campus determines whether the training is mandatory or voluntary.
 * Topics are centered on the needs of the staff, from the novice to the expert.

The focus is helping our staff become better teachers, counselors, secretaries, administrators, managers of time and resources. The focus is not on the PowerPoint or the word processing but on teaching activities/strategies that help improve student performance while getting hands-on practice using the software or equipment.

We acknowledge that adult learning is different from student learning. We want our staff to feel empowered, to leave with something they can use right away that will enhance student learning. What we don’t what is for staff and teachers to feel pressured or burdened with just “another staff development."

Working together with Kim Lawing, our district Instructional Technology Coordinator
 * We scheduled dates, with administration approval, that work with each campus’ calendar
 * Each new school year, district wide baseline training is offered.
 * In September, staff learns how to utilize the district website and create or update teacher web pages. These sites and pages are important resources in communicating with the community, parents, students and staff.
 * In October, staff updates and submits STaR charts, which are an important resource for our administrators to see how far we have come and where we need to go.
 * From there we tailor additional sessions to the needs of each campus. Examples include:
 * Learning how to set up and use blogs to communicate with a class
 * Using digital camcorders and digital cameras to share a student project
 * Literacy ideas using Movie Maker and Photo Story
 * Time management using Microsoft Outlook calendar – reminders, appointment tools

The training is designed to support individual teacher growth and development. Sometimes it is just planting a seed, an idea, or overcoming a fear of trying something new. By having a scheduled date, teachers know they can come back and add to their knowledge base. We also leave ourselves open and available to help them when they need it – in the classroom. Teachers and staff are encouraged to share what they know. Sometimes this happens between two teachers, or in a small group, or even leading the technology training.

Resources and Tools:


 * Kerpoof - Free multimedia software for eductors to create original artwork.
 * Wordle - Create word clouds
 * Animoto
 * YouTube EDU - Free Educational videos
 * Jing - easy to use screen capture tool to create short video tutorials
 * Teacher Tube- video sharing website similar to, and based on, YouTube. It is designed to allow those in the educational industry, particularly teachers, to share educational resources
 * Tiny URL - create a smaller url
 * Voice Thread for Education @http://voicethread.com/ Examples @http://voicethread.com/
 * Ideas for Technology instruction - @http://www.tcet.unt.edu/START/instruct/