5.2 Professional Learning
Candidates develop and implement technology-based professional learning that aligns to state and national professional learning standards, integrates technology to support face-to-face and online components, models principles of adult learning, and promotes best practices in teaching, learning, and assessment. (PSC 5.2/ISTE 4b)
Artifact: Kell Social Studies EverFi Training
Reflection:
The artifact “Kell Social Studies EverFi Training” was created in ITEC 7460 Professional Learning and Technology Innovation. This artifact was created to facilitate a thirty minute technology training for the Kell Social Studies department on EverFi, an online suite of courses that are available to schools at no charge. I created the website completely on my own, but I relied upon the inclusion of some elements from the EverFi site. While preparing for this technology training, I set up a number of training courses on my own EverFi dashboard so that teachers could experience the site from a student’s perspective during the training.
The element of Professional Learning under the Standard of Professional Learning and Program Evaluation was mastered with this artifact in several different ways. When creating this artifact, I clearly demonstrated the ability to develop and implement technology-based professional learning. First, teachers were introduced to and able to explore EverFi, which is an online-based technology-driven platform for students. Second, state and national professional learning standards require that professional learning be teacher-driven and differentiated to a variety of learning preferences. My technology workshop was clearly differentiated to different learning styles as a quick overview of EverFi was provided, then teachers were able to explore the website on their own, work with a partner, or work one-on-one with me. Third, this artifact integrated technology to support face-to-face and online components. I utilized the website in the training to demonstrate various components of EverFi. Then teachers were able to work through the site on their own and had access to do so at a later date as well. Fourth, this workshop modeled principles of adult learning by focusing on choices. Teachers were able to work through a variety of modules on EverFi. Finally, this workshop promotes best practices in teaching, learning, and assessment by introducing teachers to an online platform that enables them to teach concepts in a different manner with learning and assessment embedded in the platform.
While completing this artifact, I learned a great deal about online and blended learning as well as designing and implementing professional development opportunities. Online and blended learning is definitely the wave of the future, and in my experience, students react well to an online environment that incorporates their passion for online games. EverFi is such a program, and students have really enjoyed working on the Financial Literacy course during the two semesters I have utilized it in Economics. In terms of professional development opportunities, I found that I was very cognizant of keeping the session moving and allowing plenty of time for teachers to explore EverFi on their own. Teachers were excited about having something interactive to do, and several have expressed interest in utilizing some of the EverFi courses this coming school year. If I could change anything about this artifact, I would have lengthened the time I had to conduct this training session. I did feel as though I was rushed for time to explain the benefits of EverFi and for teachers to play with the site, but I think that the teachers appreciated how short the training was.
The work that went into creating this artifact will impact school improvement, faculty development, and student learning. Student learning is increasing based upon increasing scores on the financial literacy domain on the EOCT through the EverFi course. Students are excited about the course, and many did not limit their use of the course to the school day. Faculty development was impacted through the Social Studies teachers experiencing the professional development. Several teachers have expressed interest in utilizing EverFi in their classes, and I will move to support that in August. School improvement is impacted by the increase in Economics EOCT scores. Additionally, students are more engaged and excited about Economics!
The artifact “Kell Social Studies EverFi Training” was created in ITEC 7460 Professional Learning and Technology Innovation. This artifact was created to facilitate a thirty minute technology training for the Kell Social Studies department on EverFi, an online suite of courses that are available to schools at no charge. I created the website completely on my own, but I relied upon the inclusion of some elements from the EverFi site. While preparing for this technology training, I set up a number of training courses on my own EverFi dashboard so that teachers could experience the site from a student’s perspective during the training.
The element of Professional Learning under the Standard of Professional Learning and Program Evaluation was mastered with this artifact in several different ways. When creating this artifact, I clearly demonstrated the ability to develop and implement technology-based professional learning. First, teachers were introduced to and able to explore EverFi, which is an online-based technology-driven platform for students. Second, state and national professional learning standards require that professional learning be teacher-driven and differentiated to a variety of learning preferences. My technology workshop was clearly differentiated to different learning styles as a quick overview of EverFi was provided, then teachers were able to explore the website on their own, work with a partner, or work one-on-one with me. Third, this artifact integrated technology to support face-to-face and online components. I utilized the website in the training to demonstrate various components of EverFi. Then teachers were able to work through the site on their own and had access to do so at a later date as well. Fourth, this workshop modeled principles of adult learning by focusing on choices. Teachers were able to work through a variety of modules on EverFi. Finally, this workshop promotes best practices in teaching, learning, and assessment by introducing teachers to an online platform that enables them to teach concepts in a different manner with learning and assessment embedded in the platform.
While completing this artifact, I learned a great deal about online and blended learning as well as designing and implementing professional development opportunities. Online and blended learning is definitely the wave of the future, and in my experience, students react well to an online environment that incorporates their passion for online games. EverFi is such a program, and students have really enjoyed working on the Financial Literacy course during the two semesters I have utilized it in Economics. In terms of professional development opportunities, I found that I was very cognizant of keeping the session moving and allowing plenty of time for teachers to explore EverFi on their own. Teachers were excited about having something interactive to do, and several have expressed interest in utilizing some of the EverFi courses this coming school year. If I could change anything about this artifact, I would have lengthened the time I had to conduct this training session. I did feel as though I was rushed for time to explain the benefits of EverFi and for teachers to play with the site, but I think that the teachers appreciated how short the training was.
The work that went into creating this artifact will impact school improvement, faculty development, and student learning. Student learning is increasing based upon increasing scores on the financial literacy domain on the EOCT through the EverFi course. Students are excited about the course, and many did not limit their use of the course to the school day. Faculty development was impacted through the Social Studies teachers experiencing the professional development. Several teachers have expressed interest in utilizing EverFi in their classes, and I will move to support that in August. School improvement is impacted by the increase in Economics EOCT scores. Additionally, students are more engaged and excited about Economics!