Professional Development, Professional Learning Communities & Digital Accessibility
I strongly believe that educators should get the proper and professional development training when it comes to educational technology integration. Being a student teacher 2 years ago, I was able to view what happen behind doors in the education system. In my opinion, what I saw was that technology wasn’t the priority that teachers or administrators focused on. Then the pandemic hit, and students didn’t return back to school and teachers had to do online teaching. Few of my colleagues mention to me that they didn’t get the proper training with technology. The only training they received was a simple one-hour course on how to work with the computer which was the very basics. I firmly believe in the professional development training. I am absolutely certain teachers will benefit from it and even after I read the article about professional development, I am profoundly convinced that professional development will be good for educators. “Professional development opportunities are essential to better train educators in the effective use of technology as an instructional tool. One major challenge for districts is preparing teachers who are well practiced in “traditional” classroom delivery methods to integrate educational technology into curricula.4 Moreover, some teachers and schools may lack the infrastructure or knowledge base to effectively integrate technology into instruction.5 Professional development provides educators the opportunity to understand new advancements and adapt their teaching styles and pedagogy to make effective use of available educational enhancements. Successful professional development programs provide ongoing support through coaching, professional learning communities, and information repositories. Teacher PD should be highly customized, delivering immediately usable solutions to the daily challenges that teachers will face when making major curricular changes in their subject areas” (Hanover Research, 2014).
Professional Learning Communities
When it comes to professional learning communities, I believe every teacher can benefit from it in one way or another. Working as a team and learning from your co-workers can make you grow in experience and knowledge in your profession. Whether you are a novice or veteran teacher, you will take some kind knowledge from each other. Of course, there is going to be challenges along the way that educator will face. Support is one way teachers can receive from the education community that could provide some type of help when it comes to the education field. “PLCs unite their members through a shared vision for improving education through the integration of instructional technology. Members come together to share ideas, problems, and solutions. This helps to reduce teacher isolation and provide the intellectual support and confidence that many teachers need to make significant changes” (Hanover Research ,2014).
Digital Accessibility
Another important thing is Digital Accessibility “…is ensuring and being ready with availability and usability of content, websites and processes on computers and electronic devices for all users, including those with hearing, visual, motor or cognitive impairment. Additionally, I learn from the article is there is a recent legislation has placed emphasis on the need for all students to have greater access to digital resources. This new emphasis has led to a call for all new digital content to follow Universal Design for Learning or UDL. The guiding principle for UDL is that all online content, from its conception, be developed to meet the needs of all students. A valid framework for guiding educational practice that — (a.) provides flexibility in the ways information is presented, in the ways students respond or demonstrate knowledge and skills, and in the ways, students are engaged; and (b.) reduces barriers in instruction, provides appropriate accommodations, supports and challenges, and maintains high achievement expectations for all students, including students with disabilities and students who are limited English-proficient” (SREB,2014).
I still need to learn more about these three topics so I can be knowledgeable and be able to discuss it with confidence. I would like to focus on the Disabilities Act so one day, I could help student who need help in the education system.
Work Cited
Hanover Research (2014). Professional Development for Technology Integration. https://www.hanoverresearch.com/insights-blog/professional-development-for-technology-integration/
Southern Regional Education Board (2018) 10 issues in educational technology. https://www.sreb.org/10issues
Southern Regional Education Board (2017) Expanding Accessibility to Digital Spaces through Improved Practice and Policy. Policy Brief. https://www.sreb.org/sites/main/files/file-attachments/2017_edtech_polbrief_final_5-3.pdf?1493823503
video https://youtu.be/grrx2Lva7T0
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