Providing Professional Development to learn Technology

In order to meet teachers’ educational goals, it is important to provide professional development to help them select the most appropriate instructional and technical strategies. One of the main reasons why teachers that we meet refuse to use technology in their classrooms is because of their lack of experience in technology. They don't understand the technology and feel that the students would spend more time heckling them then learning.

Continuous professional development would help the teachers learn not only how to use the new technology but also how to apply it to their instruction and activities in the classroom. In order for teachers to become successful in using technology in their classrooms, they need to be provided with ongoing professional development to learn how to use these applications plus the needed time to become familiar with the software, products, and the many online resources.

Teachers find themselves as being facilitators and coaches and less as lecturers when using technology. The students take ownership of their own learning skills and become more as explorers and increase their thinking skills. Technology in the classroom tends to allow students to collaborate, therefore provides a positive effect on student achievement.

Matrix is a company that sells a great deal of classroom technology and we enjoy watching the students become more engaged while using it. Our goal is to help teachers become comfortable with classroom technology and have provided a great deal of resources designing professional development. Our goal is to help our teachers become more tech savvy then the students!

Because as you see with the future CEO of Matrix sitting with his Dad at work, technology is not intimidating!

A Great Joy

On of my greatest joys is going to a school site and seeing teachers using the solutions Matrix has provided. Earlier this week I was visiting Amador High School and I witnessed several teachers using the Interwrite Interactive Whiteboard. It was amazing to see the students actively engaged in class and paying attention to the material that the teachers presented.

It may seem strange that I mention this, since this is exactly the result that I promote when I do demonstrations of our solutions. However, seeing our solutions in action delivers a great sense of satisfaction and assures me that I am providing a valuable service to our clients.

Is Professional Development a thing of the past for Educators?

I've visited my child's elementary school classroom many times and see how much needs to be accomplished in a day. Curriculum goals plus all the other learning activities (library, assembly, PE, etc.) means that the teacher is doing all they can to fit this stuff in the day. The school day is fully booked - and that's not counting grading and other work they do to manage their jobs... and it's a lot. Recently, my local district's teachers had an in-service day following the Labor Day holiday, which I'm sure was a full day of trying to take in as much new and review information as possible. Yet, there are still so many things for the teachers to learn and understand so they can continually streamline their teaching styles as well as come up to speed on how to become more effective with the technology tools out here. Time constraints don't allow for all the professional development opportunities to be taken advantage of. I've taught tech classes to teachers, meeting after school, but turnout is generally low. Is continuing education a lost opportunity for educators?

MI University: Fall 2008 Class Schedule

Keeping our commitment to providing not only solutions but quality services as well, we have announced our Fall 2008 classes for MI University.

These classes will be held in our training room, which is located in our office in Sacramento. It can seat up to 80 people comfortably and provides a real time opportunity to see instructional AV technology products in action.

Demystifying the Computer : Basic Skills	$35	9/18 & 9/29, 3-5pm
Demystifying Email : Basic Skills	$35	9/25 & 910/6, 3-5 pm
Demystifying the Internet : Basic Skills	$35	10/2 & 10/13, 3-5pm
eInstruction WorkSpace -ExamView Edition®	$65	10/9 & 10/20, 3-5pm
eInstruction CPS	$65	10/23 & 10/27, 3-5pm
eInstruction Response	$65	10/30 & 11/3, 3-5pm
PowerPoint Introduction	$35	11/6 & 11/10, 3-5pm
Integrating Technology into Your Classroom	$35	11/13 & 11/17, 3-5pm

Even if someone has specific information or class content, we can work with them to present it for them.

Sometimes it just makes more sense to have someone provide training for you, given the time it takes to prepare the content and manage the administration.

http://www.matrixingenuity.com/Training-c119.html

Video Resources for Teachers

With our previous post Attention Teachers - Win $25k for your Classroom you have a chance to win $25,000.00 in eInstruction Interactive Classroom Makeover Contest. To compete you need to create a music video and send it in. To see the winners of lasts year's contest and examples of other videos visit: http://www.eimakeover.com/



Before you pass this opportunity by because you think it is too difficult to create a music video here is a list of resources for you to use:

Create Home Movies Effortlessly With Windows Movie Maker 2
Create Your Own Desktop Video Production
Creating Videos
Bbc - Learning Zone - Programme Listings
Education Kqed Public Media For Northern Ca
The Dv Teacher's Podcast Podcasts

Now there are many more site out there and I will keep on adding to this list as I find more. However, I do want to single out a website that I have used for years Index For Free, Comprehensive Audio And Video Course. This is a comprehensive website on cybercollege. com covering all aspects of video production, and includes quizzes, projects and additional readings.

Let me know what you think and good luck with the contest.

Computer basics....no assumptions

In an honest discussion with an educator I know, I was reminded that there are still teachers not necessarily bringing themselves any closer in becoming comfortable with using computers or other technology. Doesn't really matter what the reasons are behind that... but I can imagine that feeling of being overwhelmed when they have to deal with it.

In an attempt to help those people who would just like someone to hold their hand through becoming familiar with using their PC, managing their email, surfing the web for resources, we've put together a solution.

MI University will be offering a series of classes that will give a basic, crash courses on the following:
Demystifying the Computer - Basic Beginner Skills
Demystifying Email - Basic Beginner Skills
Demystifying the Internet - Basic Beginner Skills

Simple steps will be presented and no assumptions made about what attendees may or may not know. Just a bit of assistance for those needing to gain confidence with their tech skills...
www.matrixingenuity.com

Attention Teachers - Win $25K for classroom

Are you a creative teacher in a public or private school teaching primary or secondary grades in the US, Canada, New Zealand or Australia? Would you like to win $25,000 worth of technology for your classroom? Take a look at eInstruction’s latest makeover contest at www.eimakeover.com. Enjoy watching last year’s winners and start getting creative and join in on the fun.

If anyone has tips on helping teachers get started or become more creative, please post your thoughts.

Good luck and happy video taking!