Digital Directions - Spring/Summer 2012 - (Page 38)

RECOGNIZING Online PD E By_Michelle R. Davis ducators seeking professionaldevelopment opportunities these days can choose from a vast menu of technologyrelated options that range from bite-size to entrée. But those who create and use this type of PD say they’re still struggling with how to officially recognize teachers’ efforts, particularly when it comes to the smalldose, on-demand versions available. Teachers often need to rack up professional-development credits toward recertification, or to fulfill job-evaluation requirements. But acknowledging the growing segment of professional development that can range from a webinar to a Twitter session raises difficulties. “This is a darn good question as we all struggle with the new technology and how 38 >> www.digitaldirections.org ILLUSTRATION: iStockphoto_khalus Educators are seeking ways to receive credit for nontraditional, online professionaldevelopment opportunities it’s being applied to professional development,” says Segun C. Eubanks, the director of teacher quality for the 3.2 million-member National Education Association. “A wider variety of options makes this issue more important.” These new forms of professional development can provide targeted enhancements of the skills each individual teacher needs in a way that more traditional PD, often chosen by principals or district officials, frequently can’t. Because of that, these small-dose opportunities to improve skills can be considered more engaging and meaningful to the teacher’s work and may have a greater impact in the classroom. But experts caution that this type of professional development is not designed to replace conventional workshops and courses  http://www.digitaldirections.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Digital Directions - Spring/Summer 2012

Digital Directions - Spring/Summer 2012
Contents
Editor's Note
DD Site Visit
Bits & Bytes
Game On
Applicable Knowledge
Digital Badges
Lessons From Higher Education
Competitive Edge
Recognizing Online PD
Ready or Not
Q&A
Opinion
Data Delivery

Digital Directions - Spring/Summer 2012

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