Professional Development Plan

To continue to grow and learn about educational technology, it is clear that certain steps need to take place.  The most important part of this professional development plan will be to get my administrators and team members on board.  Research and results in my classroom will be a great modality for this to occur.  Below are some more specific things I would like to accomplish in the next two years.

Flipped Classroom

Year One - Continue research on flipped classroom by reading research on success. - Create a sample vodcast to share with the elementary principal and superintendent for buy-in. - Fully implement a flipped classroom model in my math class by the third trimester of the 2012 - 2013 school year. - Report results using test scores to the principal and superintendent.

Year Two - Continue the flipped classroom model for my math course. - Begin implementing a flipped classroom with all the fifth grade writing classes. - Report results to the principal and superintendent. - Share sample vodcast and results with teachers within the district.

Game - Based Learning

Year One - Investigate more games that can be integrated into our current curriculum for students to play in and out of school. - Share education games with teachers and parents. - Share the research on game-based learning with the elementary principal. - Work with the media specialist for more computer lab time (at least one hour each week from the previous 20 minutes each week). - Work with technology specialist to get at least two classroom computers.

Year Two - Work with principal and fifth grade team to create a student-centered learning time each day where game-based learning occurs. - Share games and results with other staff to move towards a more student-centered curriculum.

Emerging Technologies

Year One - Work with technology specialist to get each student an email address to begin working with cloud computing in the classroom and beyond. - Discuss the benefits of students bringing in their own devices (i.e. cellphones, tablets, and iPods) to school. - Share the New Horizon report to teachers and administrators.

Year Two - Make sure all students have email addresses prior to starting their fifth grade year. - Turn my writing course into a cloud-based learning environment.  All students will compose their writing using Google docs and share with their peers to make writing an easier and more collaborative event. - Work with administrators to rewrite our policy on the use of cellphones in the school.

Professional Development

Year One - Continue to post technology integration ideas into my current blog. - Follow technology blogs such as, Free Technology for Teachers. - After completing my Master’s in Reading in the spring of 2013, look into continuing education in Education Technology.   - Attend at least one professional educational technology conference. - enroll in KSP 619 to further my knowledge of technology in education. - Practice using screen capture and videos to enhance instruction. - Look into possible grants to improve technology in my classroom.

Year Two - Attend technology conferences, such as TIES, and district PD opportunities and report back to fifth grade team. - Add to current blog and share with colleagues and administrators. - Post weekly on technology blog for parents and students to follow. - Create videos and podcasts to share with students when they are gone so they miss less content. - Look into improving our migrants’ education with the use of technology. - Write a grant for a SMART board and student tablets.