Element 5: Professional Development

Example PD: Designing a Digital Learning Environment

 (ISTE criteria 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23)

The attached slide deck reflects a professional development session that I facilitated for elementary teachers that I coach at my school to highlight key features of Clever. While teachers were familiar with Clever, this tool in Clever was brand new to them as  none of them knew it existed. I designed my instruction around coaching these teachers in it’s instructional use. 

However, in this session I also modeled how to support my learners in setting and reaching their goals, teaching in a hybrid classroom, and promoting creativity in learning assessments.

To meet the needs of both advanced and novice learners I provided a variety of tools. For advanced learners, I invited them to jump in and work independently in each sections. For those who did not feel advance, I provided a step by step guide. I also created a video demonstration for novice learners to follow along at their own pace. This would allow them to pause the instruction or rewind if necessary. 

Success was evaluated in three parts. At the beginning of the lesson, each learner set personal learning goals. This helped me to cater my instruction to their needs. At the end of the lesson they were able to reflect back on their goals and evaluate if their goals had been met. 

I designed a final project that provided alternate ways for my learners to show competency in what they learned, and how they would apply their learning to their practice.

Learners were provided voice and choice in the technology as they could choose what and how they designed their final product. 

Finally, the actual application of this tool in their classroom would signal the true success of this training. As I attended team meetings, I heard those who attended share what they learned with their peers. As I pushed into classes, I was able to see teachers apply what they learned with their students.