| Conference Registration WebCT Homepage | |
|
|
| Thursday, July 13, 2006: 9:00 AM-9:45 AM | |||
| Colorado Room (Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers) | |||
| F-12: Online Professional Development for K-12 Educators | |||
| Detailed Description: | Hillsborough Community College’s Professional Development Services Department delivered online professional development courses for K-12 educators in the School District of Hillsborough County, the nation’s ninth largest school district. Focused on both technology and teaching/learning strategies, these courses allow teachers to engage in professional development when learning is most convenient to them. Learn more about this program, which is a national Bellwether finalist for community college initiatives. | ||
| Presentation Format: | Showcase | ||
| Topic: | Empowering educators: Professional development models and methods | ||
| Target Audience: | Course Designers, Faculty and Other Instructors, Senior Administrators, K-12 Educational Staff | ||
| Appropriate Audience Level: | Beginning or new users of WebCT, Experienced WebCT users | ||
| Abstract Text: | Research shows that teacher professional development is a critical factor in student achievement. But with grading, lesson planning, meetings, school duties, parent and student conferences, who has time for training? Responding to these needs Hillsborough Community College's (HCC) IT3-Professional Development Services Department delivered a series of online courses focused on professional development to educators in the School District of Hillsborough County (SDHC), the nation's ninth largest school district. The IT3 K-12 Professional Development Training series model works by providing flexibility in accessing the courses anytime, anywhere via distance learning, thereby increasing access for educators to quality professional development. Web Course Tools, (WebCT) is utilized as the platform to deliver instruction over the Internet. With a focus on both technology and teaching/learning strategies, the courses provide teachers the opportunity to engage in professional development when learning is most convenient to them, and to experience online learning. The courses have been met with approval by school district administrators who welcome the availability of quality professional development from the college. The content of the courses includes online readings and activities, individual and cooperative projects, and reflective discussion activities with the instructor and classmates. Most of the learning modules connect to a variety of websites that contain readings, videos, and activities that are an integral part of the learning experience and outcomes for the course, and provide educators with a wealth of resources on the topic. All courses have a strong technology foundation in that they are 1) offered via the Internet, 2) introduce participants to web resources that reinforce the course content, and 3) include activities that require participants to utilize the Internet to seek additional information and/or resolve problems focused on the topic. To date, the program boasts a retention rate exceeding 70%, and has served over 500 educators in the District. | ||
| Session Leader: | Brenda Watkins Hillsborough Community College | ||
See more of The 8th Annual WebCT User Conference