EDUC – 5373 Week 4 Blog

 

   Educational Technology Integration Plan - Professional Development

 

Professional Development is an essential component of my Technology Integration Plan for educators to effectively incorporate technology guided by the ISTE standards in their daily instruction. Educators will be provided with different modes of ongoing technology training prior to and during implementation. Virtual Coaching professional development is one of the modes of delivery that will be employed. Coaching is an innovative approach to professional development for participants that results in a significant impact on teachers' digital competencies and students' achievement (Zimmer & Matthews, 2022). Collaborative Learning will be utilized for educators to synergize, one-to-one engagement, and self-reflection in Professional Learning Communities.

The impact of educators being engaged in technology professional development is directly correlated to students' learning.  When teachers are equipped with technology skills, they will be able to model skills explicitly, prepare authentic learning experiences based on the ISTE student standards as they are engaged with digital tools to delve into content areas. Additionally, to utilize technology in ways that enable them to make real-world connections that are applicable beyond the classroom.

Professional development enables educators to effectively design differentiated instructions with a direct focus on incorporating digital learning resources that cater to the diverse learning needs of students. Students will be stimulated as they interact with different digital tools and make valuable contributions in working collaboratively with their peers. Their critical and problem-solving skill swill be heightened as they are provided with learning opportunities that maximize their potential.

Collaborative learning will definitely improve students' academic performances (Ronfeldt et al., 2015).

Educators should be competent in using and incorporating digital tools in lessons as a means of communication and for curriculum instructional purposes. Teaching students about their responsibility of safeguarding themselves on the internet or online safety is of paramount importance in ensuring ethical usage. Being able to solve basic issues with learning digital resources

The connection of learning with educators and students is align with the vision and goals in that the technology lead team will support a learning culture in which students have equal and safe access to digital learning resources. For educators to incorporate technology in instruction guided by the ISTE standards and the T3 framework model.

Professional development in technology integration for educators will impact students' academic learning gain in positive ways, which will revolutionize their learning. The technology integration plan will change the traditional way of assessment and learning by having all formats digitalized, utilizing real-world modes.

Students will be empowered to take ownership of their learning and set learning goals.  Learning will be more meaningful and intentional, which will enable them to perform well on assessments.  Digital learning resources are easily retrievable for students to access and make reference to. Global collaboration can be fostered through using various digital tools and modes for learning and accessing assessments. Feedback will be provided in real time which is an efficient way for students to make adjustment to their learning.

Highlighted below are some of the changes that should be based on the International technology-mediated assessment expectations like the PISA.  The way in which assessments are structured should be align with the ISTE student standards as a guide, questions should be reflect real scenarios and promote critical thinking, technology should be integrated in all disciplines to enhance competence and familiarity on assessment.

 

References

Crompton, H. (2023). Evidence of the ISTE standards for educators leading to learning gains. Journal of Digital Learning in Teacher Education, 39(4), 201-219. 

https://doi.org/10.1080/21532974.2023.2244089

International Society for Technology in Education. (2017). ISTE standards for students. ISTE. https://www.iste.org/standards/iste-standards-for-students

Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. (2022). PISA Test. Retrieved from:

https://www.oecd.org/en/about/programmes/pisa/pisa-test.html

Zimmer, W. & Matthews S. D. (2022). A virtual coaching model of professional development to increase teachers' digital learning competencies. Journal of Teaching and Teacher Education, 109(9). doi: 10.1016/j.tate2021.103544. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/355351183_A_virtual_coaching_model_of_professional_development_to_increase_teachers'_digital_learning_competencies​