Ongoing technology professional development is a critical component of the MCS Technology Initiative. In order for personnel to fully utilize the district's technology and network resources, a comprehensive program of technology professional development activities is offered. The activities planned by the Instructional Technology Department are designed to prepare MCS teachers to use technology to enhance instruction, increase student achievement, and advance teacher and student productivity. Participation in district professional development activities is limited to employees only.
The
district has the responsibility to provide a variety of learning
and training activities that instruct personnel to successfully
utilize technology within their assigned area: administrative,
instructional, or support.
Professional development activities will be offered by Instructional
Technology that :
- support and encourage the use of technology and district supported applications
- meet the needs of the beginning user as well as the experienced user
- ensure the growth and expansion of technology skills
- promote the use of technology resources to meet district/school curriculum goals
- enable district personnel to meet the National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers and the National Educational Technology Standards for Administrators
- enable district students to meet the K-12 Louisiana Technology Standards for Students
At
the beginning of each school year, a description of current workshops
offered by Instructional Technology is distributed to employees.
A copy of
the workshop descriptions along
with other professional development opportunities are also posted
online.
District personnel have the responsibility to attend activities that allow them to become proficient in the following areas:
LA INTECH (A Framework for INtegrating TECHnology in the Student Centered Classroom)
The district has adopted Louisiana INTECH as its primary professional development model for technology integration. It is an intense, content-rich, hands-on, 48-hour staff development program adopted by the LDOE/LCET. It provides teachers with many examples of effective technology-based strategies that support and enhance curriculum and can serve as a catalyst for fundamental change in overall teaching and learning processes. Five critical areas characterize this integrated training approach: classroom management techniques, new designs for learning, best pedagogical practices, curriculum standards, and modern technology skills. Curriculum is the focus of INTECH. All activities are project-based and correlated to the Louisiana Content Standards.MCS teachers who complete the course receive a computer, printer, and software for their classroom.
INTECH 2 Science is a content-specific 3.5 day professional development program. It is focused on inquiry-based explorations in a student-centered environment and how technology can support this type of learning. MCS teachers who complete the course receive magnets, software, and an additional perk. Science teachers who complete the class may be eligible to receive 27 HQ CLUs. Prerequisite: LA INTECH course completion.
INTECH 2 Social Studies introduces K-12 students and teachers to the world of GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and involves them in an authentic and powerful application of the GIS technology. It is a 3.5 day immersion experience centered around the use of mapping tools such as GPS, GIS and GeoMedia software. Workshop participants gain an understanding of GIS and the power of using it in the Social Studies classroom. MCS teachers who complete the course receive a GPS unit. Social Studies teachers who complete the class may be eligible to receive 27 HQ CLUs. Prerequisite: LA INTECH course completion.
LEADTech (Louisiana Educational Advancement & Development with Technology)
LEADTech is a LDOE/LCET technology leadership initiative that
will prepare administrators with an in-depth understanding of
the role of instructional technology as it relates to total school
improvement and increased student learning. The LCET will work
closely with participants by providing leadership opportunities
and guidance through a variety of methods, including web-based
courses, face-to-face seminars, video-conferencing, application
workshops, etc. Each participant will receive in-depth consultation
and leadership from LCET. MCS administrators who complete the
course receive a laptop or TabletPC.
Workshops
Basic
competency in each of the proficiency levels listed above are
to be achieved by all district personnel during the next three
years. The workshops designed to teach these
skills are provided by Instructional Technology as a service to
personnel and are listed and described on the district web site.
It is recommended that district personnel include technology activities
in their individual professional growth plans. Beginning users
are to plan for an estimated forty hours of inservice training.
RenewTech
RenewTech is a district program that allows teachers who completed
INTECH at least 3 years ago to get new equipment for their classroom
while learning additional integration techniques from an online
course.
Each 6-week class is conducted online by a certified facilitator.
Teachers attend three face-to-face meetings - a class orientation
which includes instruction in the use of Blackboard; a support
session; and a sharing session in which projects are presented.
Upon completion of the online course, the teacher will receive
a new computer, software and printer if they do not have a computer
in their room that is less than 3 years old. Teachers are eligible
to participate in the RenewTech program every 3 years so that
their classroom computer and software will remain up-to-date.
Instructional Technology and the University of Louisiana at Monroe Department of Education have a long-standing cooperative partnership. Tuition exempt university technology classes for district personnel can be arranged through the Region 8 Teaching, Learning and Technology Center. Information on university credit courses can be obtained by contacting the Instructional Technology Supervisor or the Region 8 TLTC Facilitator.
In an effort to offer a broader selection of workshops that focus primarily on technology integration, the district now offers online courses from the Educational Development Center, the LA Department of Education/LCET, and MCS Instructional Technology. Each course includes multiple sessions and lasts from six to eight weeks, requiring teachers to work online approximately three to four hours per week. Each session includes readings, activities and participation in an online discussion and each workshop culminates with teachers developing a final project developed for immediate implementation in their classrooms. Workshops include subject-specific or cross-discipline content in areas ranging from literacy and mathematics to project-based learning and the integration and effective uses of assistive technology.
In addition to the professional development activities offered, curriculum and training materials are provided by Instructional Technology. These materials include district and commercially developed guides to adopted hardware/software as well as online resource lists that support curriculum goals. Commercial materials are loaned while district-developed materials and resource lists are distributed freely upon request. A variety of curriculum support software is also available for teacher preview in the Instructional Technology Lab.
The department also works with teachers to develop lesson plans and activities designed to support and enrich the MCS curriculum. The standards-based lessons and activities incorporate technology/telecommunications resources that engage students in the learning process and allow for the use of the current information available on the Internet. All lesson plans and activities are posted on the district's web site to promote easy access and use by teachers.