Effective professional development for teachers should include hands-on technology use, opportunities for collaboration with other teachers, applications relevant to teachers' subjects, and ongoing support. It works best when teachers have a choice in the topics and it is not solely based on test data. While professional development is important for keeping teachers' skills up to date, there is often not enough accountability or connection to improved student outcomes.

1. By Heather Urban Nikki Wixo Stephanie Roelfsema

2. Questions: Components of Effective Professional Development for Technology: How to implement new technology? How to do this to promote effective use of technology in the classroom? How to use technology to create new learning opportunities to aid student achievement? Connection to student learning Hands-on technology use Variety of learning experience Curriculum-specific applications New roles for teachers Collegial learning Active participation for teachers Ongoing process Sufficient time Technical assistance and support Administrative support Adequate resources Continuous funding Built-in evaluation (Rodriguez, G. 2000)

3. Worked in a brand new very high tech school We had two “super users” (IT guys) Once a month meetings to teach teachers the new technology Hands-on use with the new technology Guide sheets to use back in the classroom if needed Very helpful and smart way to integrate the new technology with the teachers

4. Evidence based decision making for professional development Professional development is decided upon by data This is currently taking place in 8 Alabama School Districts

5. This is not the best way to choose Professional development. Does not always apply to each teacher and each subject. It would be better to have teachers choose from a list of workshops for PD that way every teacher gains something, and it does apply to them.

6. Reasons for High Expectations of Teachers: Pressure for higher test scores Compliance with federal regulations Classroom environment is more challenging, especially in low performing schools

7. Creation of positive school culture Improvement of teacher skills Opportunities for peer learning Provided teaching tools for all levels of experience

8. There is no accountability measure to determine how effective the professional development was in regard to the money spent. The discrepancy between what the federal government determines highly effective professional development to what is delivered in the schools. The ability to link students achievement to teacher performance.

9. Volunteer on the school improvement committee Attend teacher recognition and award ceremonies. Volunteer in the classroom to deepen your connection and understanding. Vote for greater financial investment in public schools.

10. Why is teacher professional development important? Universities restructuring education programs to encourage emphasis on content knowledge and technology. Professional development opportunities available online.

11. New teachers need to get support from veteran teachers. New teachers often end up in a school with little support and that tends to be “rough”. Due to this half of the new teachers tend to leave the field within 5 years. Mentor teachers and supportive veteran teachers very important.

12. Professional development very important They need to stay current and learn new ways of teaching and new technology New technology and curriculum need to be learned

13. This site has a comment section Really good place for teachers to get ideas from one another Feedback is provided and opportunities for professional development

14. Rodriguez, G. (2000). Critical Issue: Providing Professional Development for Effective Technology Use . Retrieved on September 9, 2010, from http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/methods/technlgy/te1000.htm Author unknown. (2009). Making Decisions About Teacher Professional Development: Practices in 8 Alabama School Districts . Retrieved on September 9, 2010, from http://www.educationalpolicy.org/publications/pubpdf/EBE_436_Eval%20PD_AL.pdf Hayes, C. & Puriefoy, W.D. (2004). Teacher Professional Development: A Primer for Parents & Community Members. Retrieved on September 9, 2010, from http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:0XbDA6lwDskJ:www.publiceducation.org/pdf/publications/teacher_quality/teacher_prof_dev.pdf+professional+development+a+primer+for+professional+development&hl=en&gl=us

15. Edutopia Staff. (2008). Why is Teacher Development Important?: Because Students Deserve the Best. Retrieved on September 9, 2010, from http://www.edutopia.org/teacher-development-introduction