Comments on: Online Staff Development http://doctortam.edublogs.org/2007/10/23/online-staff-development/ Another excellent Edublogs.org blog Wed, 28 Nov 2007 04:23:34 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.2 hourly 1 By: paul slovik http://doctortam.edublogs.org/2007/10/23/online-staff-development/comment-page-1/#comment-82 paul slovik Mon, 26 Nov 2007 22:08:58 +0000 http://doctortam.edublogs.org/2007/10/23/online-staff-development/#comment-82 Eventually, most of a teacher's professional development will come from programs that are 100 percent on-line. .Although, since many teachers are just starting to gain the confidence in their abilities to use technology, educators may not be quite ready for a totally on-line program. The faculty at my school is currently taking an on-line course offered by Voyager U. Most of the work is done via the computer at one's convenience but there is a lead teacher who is on site to answer any questions. Until the next generation of technology savvy teachers enter the teaching ranks, it important that on-line courses have a live component in order for all to be successful. Eventually, most of a teacher’s professional development will come from programs that are 100 percent on-line. .Although, since many teachers are just starting to gain the confidence in their abilities to use technology, educators may not be quite ready for a totally on-line program.

The faculty at my school is currently taking an on-line course offered by Voyager U. Most of the work is done via the computer at one’s convenience but there is a lead teacher who is on site to answer any questions. Until the next generation of technology savvy teachers enter the teaching ranks, it important that on-line courses have a live component in order for all to be successful.

]]> By: 2ptl http://doctortam.edublogs.org/2007/10/23/online-staff-development/comment-page-1/#comment-80 2ptl Mon, 26 Nov 2007 21:42:54 +0000 http://doctortam.edublogs.org/2007/10/23/online-staff-development/#comment-80 Online learning gives educators the convenience being able to develop professionally without the limitations of set dates and times. This mode of learning is an excellent way for teachers to learn and collaborate together. Online learning could make it possible for grade level teams to focus on a specific strategy or initiative and work together to use their learning to create an optimal learning environment for their students. Additional time would be needed for collaboration and what better way than to set aside some planning time to improve the quality of classroom instruction. Online learning gives educators the convenience being able to develop professionally without the limitations of set dates and times. This mode of learning is an excellent way for teachers to learn and collaborate together. Online learning could make it possible for grade level teams to focus on a specific strategy or initiative and work together to use their learning to create an optimal learning environment for their students. Additional time would be needed for collaboration and what better way than to set aside some planning time to improve the quality of classroom instruction.

]]> By: Ragan http://doctortam.edublogs.org/2007/10/23/online-staff-development/comment-page-1/#comment-77 Ragan Mon, 26 Nov 2007 13:53:09 +0000 http://doctortam.edublogs.org/2007/10/23/online-staff-development/#comment-77 The blend of online and face to face development could also be beneficial. The actual information regarding the topic could be provided online, as well as various assignments. Instead of listening to presenters for hours on end, staff could work on it at their convenience. Blending would work well for staff development within one school because it would provide teachers and administrators the opportunity to come together and discuss what they learned and worked on. It would allow more people to feel involved in the process of the development, instead of just having to sit there for hours on end. Complete online development would work better for something that is perhaps county or state-wide. Having so many poeple involved would make it difficult to meet, and could be very draining. One of the more positive aspects of online development for me, is that it gives me the opportunity to work at my own pace, and I can become a more active participant in the process. The blend of online and face to face development could also be beneficial. The actual information regarding the topic could be provided online, as well as various assignments. Instead of listening to presenters for hours on end, staff could work on it at their convenience. Blending would work well for staff development within one school because it would provide teachers and administrators the opportunity to come together and discuss what they learned and worked on. It would allow more people to feel involved in the process of the development, instead of just having to sit there for hours on end. Complete online development would work better for something that is perhaps county or state-wide. Having so many poeple involved would make it difficult to meet, and could be very draining. One of the more positive aspects of online development for me, is that it gives me the opportunity to work at my own pace, and I can become a more active participant in the process.

]]> By: mlarkin http://doctortam.edublogs.org/2007/10/23/online-staff-development/comment-page-1/#comment-65 mlarkin Tue, 13 Nov 2007 18:37:05 +0000 http://doctortam.edublogs.org/2007/10/23/online-staff-development/#comment-65 Entire online professional development would serve the most beneficial for working adults. I think you could design the online development so that individuals could have group discussions related to topics addressed from the development. Also, participants could be given classroom scenerios and asked to respond giving solutions and strategies based on readings related to the development. Just a few ideas. I believe onsite development can be inconvenient and long for many. Online opportunities would be favorable. Entire online professional development would serve the most beneficial for working adults. I think you could design the online development so that individuals could have group discussions related to topics addressed from the development. Also, participants could be given classroom scenerios and asked to respond giving solutions and strategies based on readings related to the development. Just a few ideas. I believe onsite development can be inconvenient and long for many. Online opportunities would be favorable.

]]> By: Tamara http://doctortam.edublogs.org/2007/10/23/online-staff-development/comment-page-1/#comment-62 Tamara Tue, 13 Nov 2007 17:35:02 +0000 http://doctortam.edublogs.org/2007/10/23/online-staff-development/#comment-62 Although I agree with the potential benefits of online professional development, I'm wondering if you're talking about professional development that is totally online, or some blended approach. In either case, what would the professional development look like?--What specific activities would be effective online and/or blended? If you were designing professional development on a certain topic, what types of online/blended activities would you include? Although I agree with the potential benefits of online professional development, I’m wondering if you’re talking about professional development that is totally online, or some blended approach. In either case, what would the professional development look like?–What specific activities would be effective online and/or blended? If you were designing professional development on a certain topic, what types of online/blended activities would you include?

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