The purpose of this Web page is to give you a sampling of some of the points school administrators need to consider when planning staff development for classroom instructional technology use. Each of the activities asks you to read, think, and identify strategies that might work for you and your staff. Choose a link that really interests you. Read the article and think about what it says, what you know about classroom technology use and change, and how you can use the information to make a difference at your site.

Form a small group of 4-6. During our session, your group is responsible for completing at least three activities. Use the results of the activities to create a 3-5 minute presentation to the large group in which you report out what you found and how it could be used to develop a professional development program at your school or district.

You may complete the remainder of the activities on your own as part of your Action Plan. Be sure to keep a copy of your responses and to log your time.

Sites to Explore

The Computer Delusion Questions:

1. Oppenheimer raises some interesting questions in this article. What is your reaction to this piece?
2. What questions do you have about the use of technology in schools?
3. How do the ideas expressed here relate to the levels of use described in the ACOT study?

1. What does 'adult learning theory' have to do with anything? Why?
2. Which suggested models for professional development would work in your situation? Why?
3. How do the ideas expressed here relate to the levels of use described in the ACOT study?

1. How could the three major concepts of the staff development be applied to your situation?
2. What staff development options offered here could work at your site?
3. How do the ideas expressed here relate to the levels of use described in the ACOT study?

1. What do you think about the NETS*T standards?
2. Could these be used as a framework for professional development at your site? Why?
3. How do the ideas expressed here relate to the levels of use described in the ACOT study?

1. How can you use the information presented here in designing your own professional development program?
2. What information presented here is most important to you? Why?
3. How do the ideas expressed here relate to the levels of use described in the ACOT study?

1. How could you use the variety of information and links on this page when planning a staff development program?
2. Which links are most useful in your situation?
3. How do the lesson plans here relate to the levels of use described in the ACOT study?

Conclusion

While exploring this sampler on Staff Development, we hope you've had fun, learned, and most importantly connected with some part of this topic. If you did not, please go back and explore some other links and look deeper inside yourself. Be prepared to explain how you feel more interested in or connected to the topic now than before you tried this sampler.