Technology+Specialists

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.  Apple describes each learning session, time requirements, maximum number of participants, participant requirements, and learning outcomes in their Workshop Catalog. (Apple, 2012)
 * [[image:apple width="73" height="85" align="right"]]Professional Development from Apple **

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.
 * [[image:instructional_tecnolgoy.jpg width="177" height="148" align="left"]]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 **