My professional development was a monthly Technology Cafe. I created and sent out a survey before beginning the Technology Cafe to survey staff needs and wants in terms of technology tools. Here is a link to the survey. Click here.

• A brief overview of what topic you taught on/focus on integration/form of delivery

Technology café sessions addressed at least one of the 5 big areas of reading through specific technology tools. Each session consisted of examples of technology integration, demonstration of the technology tool, practical ways to integrate the technology into the area of reading (or other subject area), and hands-on time to create a product. Each session had a homework assignment that would take approximately one hour. Each homework assignment was a way for educators to apply their knowledge from the workshop into their classrooms. Below is a general outline for the technology café sessions. I was able to use many of my fellow Pinnacle Leaders ideas and handouts for the sessions, so thank you to everyone for your assistance!!! :)


--September-Reading Comprehension, Writing, and Blogging
Agenda
Kidblog Handout (created by GCS ITF--thanks!!!)
Kidblog Reminders
Blogger Reminders

-- October-Integration of Content Areas and United Streaming/Discovery Education
Agenda
Discovery Education Handout (created by Emily Swartz--thanks!!!)


-- December-Phonics/Phonemic Awareness, Reading Comprehension and Spiderscribe
Agenda

-- January-Vocabulary, Stixy, Wallwisher, and Quizlet
Quizlet Handout (created by Jesse Birnstihl--thanks!!!)

-- February-Reading Comprehension and Edmodo
Agenda
Ideas for using Edmodo (created by Shannon Miller--thanks!!!)
Edmodo Teacher Guide (shared by Kyle Wood--thanks!!!)

-- March- Reading Comprehension, Animoto, and Online Storytelling 
Mixbook Handout (created by GCS ITF--thanks!!!)
*Focused on Storybird with primary teachers

-- May- Vocabulary and SMART Notebook (still to be completed this year)

• Audience reactions and how follow-up went

The audience was very responsive. At my first session I had the most participants and of course as the year continued the participants decreased. At least one participant attended each session. The audience seemed to enjoy the topics and were appreciative of any new ideas. The participants are still in the process of turning in their homework from the sessions they attended. They will have until after the last session to turn in any homework from throughout the year. At the beginning of each session I answered any questions from previous sessions. I also answered questions in person and through email.

• How this experience helped your professional growth

This experience helped my professional growth because I was able to share some ideas and my technology integration knowledge with other professionals at my schools. I think that they were able to take the information back to their classrooms and put it to use to increase student engagement and achievement. I now have the experience of presenting information in front of my peers on a regular basis.

• Changes you would make if presenting same topic a second time

I would like to have some sort of incentive for attending all sessions. The attendance decreased as the sessions continued. For the last session in May, I plan on sending out some sort of incentive for the SMART Notebook session. We are going to focus on Common Core integration and creating a lesson for next year as well as a sharing session for any lessons already created.


THANK YOU FOR READING MY POST. HERE IS A LINK TO THE FEEDBACK FORM. CLICK HERE.