Michigan’s Education Technology Plan
So let me give all my faithful readers a little bit of background to my discussion. I teach in a small town in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. We have slightly over 800 students in the district, about 300 at the elementary level, which is the level I teach. We have about 60-70% of the district receives free or reduced lunch. About ten years ago we received a Intel technology grant that placed computer labs in all the schools and set a president that our school was to be on the cutting edge of technology. Well that philosophy has maintained in principle, but reality, Michigan’s economy and the State’s lack of commitment to its school system has sunk in and our district has struggled to keep up with all those goals and expectations that have been set forth in Michigan’s Education Technology Plan.
Yes, we get new computers every two years and there are at least one computer in every classroom. And I say the last phrase reluctantly, because I had to strong-arm a veteran teacher to take back the computer she was given because I told her we could no longer print all the notes from the principal: the information was only coming via email. Not totally a lie but rather dramatic so she would believe me. But this was the portion of the METP that I worry about: Professional development for all teachers, even those who feel hesitant and reluctant to try to develop 21st century skills for the twilight years of their employment. The professional learning goal 3 states: “MDE will publish guidance for satisfying Michigan’s five hours of online professional development requirement that includes definitions of sound online professional development practice, including critical elements of NETS-T/A, 21st Century Skills, and the Principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL)” (p.12). We have been told this requirement exists but a timetable for meeting it has not been established. I sometimes think people will just ignore it and try to forget about it in hopes of it going away. I don’t think this one is, however.
I enjoy the online collaboration and community professional development. It provides me with new perspectives and often-innovative ideas not expressed in our rural community. I feel it is my obligation (and honor) to help teachers explore these online experiences. Sometimes, it is the technology itself, navigating the website and finding the proper information that frustrates learners. It is going to take collaboration with those who feel comfortable with online professional development to support all teachers as we all learn how to become stronger and more informed educators for our students. I hope to be that person.
Bibliography:
2010 STATE OF MICHIGAN EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY PLAN. Approved by the Michigan Dept. of Education, (2009). Retrieved September 13, 2010 from http://techplan.org/STP%202010%20Final.pdf
Anne, interesting you should highlight the online PD requirement ... the Michigan Legislature changed it to be a "Recommendation" and the Department is incorporating our recommendations for good online PD into a broader, "what makes good PD" program that will come out later. I would say later this year or later next year, but we have to wait and see.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it is important to have the online instruction throughout the year. As teachers, we don't have the time to sift through all of the new websites that are evoloving on the Internet. Intermediate school districts can allocate their resources to finding the most beneficial websites / online program and then from there, teach school districts. For example, before the beginning of the school year, my school district had two professional development at the Macomb Intermediate School District. In this informative PD day, we were shown various websites including Delicious. We were able to set up a Delicious account and then find other websites beneficial to our classrooms. This kind of instruction was huge for our school. We also had very beneficial PD days in BlackBoard. This allowed all of us to learn how to use the tool to allow access into our teaching for 24/7. The PD must always be interactive as well.
ReplyDeleteWe have zero PD days dedicated to technology instruction. This would help many "veteran" teachers with their fear of using technology in the classroom. I am at an elementary school and by far the youngest on staff at age 26. I just started blogging to the parents instead of a classroom newsletter. The "veteran" teachers were astounded that I wasn't going to have a hard copy newsletter. I told them that they were wasting paper and their precious time making copies. I now have 2 other teachers on the "blogging boat" as of right now. The parents love it because of the easy access and they aren't digging through their child's backpack for the weekly newsletter. Veteran teachers are the hardest to talk into using technology, but once they do, they love it. I think PD days dedicated to using technology would help solve this problem. Are you a technology teacher in an elementary or middle school?
ReplyDeleteHolli
ReplyDeleteI teach grades Young Fives through fifth grade. Same kinds of behaviors, hjust bigger bodies...