Technology Themed Professional Development: How to Improve the Implementation of
Instructional Technology in the Classroom
The
goal of my action research is to improve the integration of instructional
technology in the classroom by designing effective technology themed professional
development program. A project of this
magnitude raises several questions such as “What does an effective technology
themed professional development look like?”, “How do you create a shared
vision?”, “How do you ensure that learning is on-going and job embedded?” and
“How do you effectively implement instructional technology in the classroom to
support student learning and achievement?”
My
hope and understanding is that by recognizing the need to educate educators on
the importance and practical application of instructional technology that
teachers will be better teachers and students will in turn be academically
successful and prepared for whatever the future may bring. For educators, my goals for my action
research are that teachers are able to produce more engaging lessons that are
student centered, increase their productivity, create better prepared lessons
that focus on higher-order thinking skills, and find more efficient ways to
differentiate instruction. For students,
my goals are that instructional technology provides an outlet to practice safe,
ethical and responsible usage of technology and that it will increase their
academic success, create of life-long learners and appreciation for education,
promote critical thinking skills, effective communication and motivation for
success. The
results of conducting this study will help to re-define the roles of educators
and students in terms of promoting 21st century skills.
I
have spent a significant amount of time familiarizing myself with the research and
by experimenting with the practical application of web tools in my own
classroom. In the time that
I
have last provided an update on my action research project, I have presented my
preliminary findings and ideas at the Texas Foreign Language Association
Conference and have facilitated the practical application of web tools for many
of my colleagues. The next phase of my
action research will begin with gathering and disaggregating STaR Chart data, Campus
Improvement Plan data and data from the Aldine TCCA (our district’s annual
technology conference) to support the need for my project and then begin
creating a staff development for next school year.
