Professional Development for Digital Learning
Digital Leaning plans should detail specific professional development that your educators need in order to be able to take the actions needed to meet the goals of your plan. Specific professional development opportunities, along with a proposed schedule for when these opportunities will be provided, are part of the necessary action steps. Indicate clear connections between professional development support and your Master Professional Development Plan.
Considerations for Professional Development
Selecting Quality Professional Development
Professional development is a critical componement to the success of any plan to implement new technologies or increase the use of current technologies. Devices or digital tools will not be used, or used effectgively, when educators do not know how to use them. Yet, this is often the most overlooked and underplanned part of district technology plans.
Your goals for use should include the training and support teachers will need to meet these goals. Clear strategies for specific professional development activities should be outlined in the plan, along with specific timelines for completion. Professional development training and support should correlate with the actions and digital tools and devices that will be used to meet your goals. It cannot be left to chance, or held off until the final year of the plan.
Staff development activities should have clear references to your professional development needs and self-evaluation tools. Explain how professional development relates to the goals of your plan and the teaching and learning in the district. Identify workshop and research topics including any expected funding sources, either through grants, or your local budget. Include a list of specific training and technical assistance resources your district intends to utilize. These may include offerings from educational institutions as well as local staff development workshops and local continuing education programs.
Guide to Implementing Digital Learning
Developed and maintained by the State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA), Transformative Digital Learning: A Guide to Implementation is intended to provide guidance for districts to consider as they heighten their focus to ensure smooth implementation of digital learning. In addition, this resource includes proven resources and digital learning examples from across the nation to support discussions.
NSQ Online Teaching Portal powered by 2gnoMe
The NSQ Online Teaching powered by 2gnoMe is a learning portal for educators to reflect on their teaching practices to support students’ learning online. Based on this reflection, the system recommends high-quality professional learning resources personalized for every educator. The work around these standards and the vetting of supporting resources is led by Quality Matters (QM) and the Virtual Learning Leadership Alliance (VLLA).
Resources
Transformative Digital Learning: A Guide to Implementation (SETDA)
Christa McAuliffe Technology Conference
New Hampshire Learns Alliance
New Hampshire Society for Technology in Education (NHSTE)
New Hampshire School Library Media Association (NHSLMA)
New Hampshire CTO Council
New Hampshire State Library
University System of New Hampshire
Community College System of New Hampshire
International Society for Technology in Education Standards (ISTE)
ISTE Standards for Educators
Partnership for 21st Century Skills
8 Top Tips for Highly Effective PD (Edutopia)
Three Critical Areas of Professional Development for Teaching in 21st Century Classrooms (Intercultural Development Research Association)
The Five Ws of Quality Professional Development (Education Week)
Resources from the Virtual Learning Leadership Alliance
NSQ Online Teaching Portal