Who+Teaches+Professional+Development?

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As a school considers a new device like the iPad and professional development the question of who is going to teach the professional development sessions arises? Professional development should be "facilitated by well-prepared school principals and/or school-based professional development coaches, mentors, master teachers, or other teacher leaders". There is very little research available on who should be teaching professional development, however, a few options for professional development facilitators addressed in this section are technology specialists, technology representatives and team representatives.

Apple provides professional development workshops for school districts ranging in day sessions to week long sessions. Apple categorizes their professional development options by Start, Learn, Instruct, Lead and Support.
 * Professional Development from Apple **

 Apple describes each learning session, time requirements, maximum number of participants, participant requirements, and learning outcomes in their Workshop Catalog. (Apple, 2012)

Most districts have at least one instructional technology staff member, most often you can find one in each building. An IT staff member already has many responsibilities that include educating teachers and maintaining technology. An instructional technologist is responsible for evaluating new technology a school district may be interested in using, assisting faculty with their technology, instructing teachers on technology, create materials to assist educators in problem solving their technology issues, and organize, monitor, and maintain technologies used in the school (CareerCruising, 2012). Because not all instructional technologists are educators, training teachers may not be comfortable. However, IT staff will be valuable in assisting at all professional development sessions.
 * Instructional Technology Staff **

Teachers who choose a major program in technology education or add an endorsement in technology education are a resource for professional development sessions. These educators concentrate on educational technology in their undergraduate degree or add an endorsement to their teaching certificate (in Illinois) by completing 24 credit hours in educational technology and passing a content area test (ISBE Educator Certification, 2008).
 * Certified Technology Specialists/Teachers **[[image:ipad-mobiledevice-eps415/cool.jpg align="right"]]

Technology Coaches may be hired by districts or buildings to be leaders in the technologies staff members will be using. The coaches can be used as leaders for the other teachers in the building as well as the district. To help choose effective technology coaches consider how the person use technology on a daily basis, does the person encourage others in using a new tool?, does the person listen to the needs and concerns of other teachers?, does the person celebrate successes with students and teachers with technology?, does the person actively learn new technologies?, and does the person have the ability to coach and arrange successful learning sessions for other teachers? (McKenzie, 2002)
 * Technology Coaches **


 * [[image:Learn-and-Lead.jpg width="225" height="153" align="right"]]Technology Representatives **

Technology representatives from each team or grade level can be trained to assist their team in utilizing new technologies in the classroom. By training the teachers to be trainers for their own team, buildings can reduce the cost of professional development sessions and utilize the talented staff they have.

When choosing the representatives for each team, consider some of the following criteria...


 * Is the person able and willing to learn new technologies?
 * Is the person able to teach others new technologies patiently?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Is the person able to explain and describe new technologies to those who may not be as technologically advanced?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Is the person able to provide an opportunity for staff members to learn without fear of new technology?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Is the person able to plan and support teachers during professional development opportunities?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Is the person able to understand what concepts are important for teachers or what concepts are too difficult and confusing?

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">(Johnson, 1997)

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Please continue to our next page, Professional Development Requirements