In order to introduce the Step-Up-To-Excellence methodology and the GSTE to the staff, I would implement the following plans:
Training would take place during the school day.
Funding would be in place to put substitutes into classrooms for this purpose. This caveat would be non-negotiable. Teachers’ attitudes about the presented subject matter tend to be more positive if training is available during school time as opposed to after school or on Saturday.
Before starting training, I would give basic information to all students via flash drive. Since all teachers in our district have laptops, bringing a laptop to training would be a prerequisite.
Some of the activities I would use to present this information would include:
Short Informational lecture
I would provide the basic information about Step-Up-To Excellence and the Guidance System for Transforming Education through a short “lecture”/Keynote presentation.
Video Exploration
Providing the “class” with a source for videos on the topics would be another way of providing basic information to staff in a different format. Staff members would group themselves into groups of two (2) and watch and then report on a video of their choosing. The report would be informal, like a round table discussion.
Jigsaw Activity
Staff members in groups of two (2) would select an article to review on either Step-Up-To-Excellence or GSTE. Choice of articles would be provided via flash drive given to all at the start of the training session. Reporting on articles would be information, as with the video exploration activity.
Creation of Product
In groups of two (2), staff member would create a product based on the Jigsaw activity review or a staff member could chose to read and review another article of interest another group had reported upon in the jigsaw activity. Staff members would chose any format/vehicle (i.e., Keynote, QuickTime video, Talking Pages document, podcast) or any combination thereof for the product. Staff members would be given a specific time to “share” the product (i.e., “We will begin sharing our products at 1:30 P.M.) with the group.
Reflection Opportunity
I would instruct staff members how to create a blog through a tool like Blogger. Staff members would be shown how to share subscribe to others’ blogs. All class participants would share their thoughts, impressions and products on their blog regarding the subject of Step-Up-To-Excellence or GSTE. The blog could be a training “accountability” vehicle for future instruction.
Sandy--
ReplyDelete"Teachers’ attitudes about the presented subject matter tend to be more positive if training is available during school time as opposed to after school or on Saturday."
AMEN!!! I couldn't agree with you more about this. My school district tries to avoid holding training sessions outside of regular school hours. I attended 2 training sessions over the summer. One session was optional, and the other was mandatory. Since teachers had to attend those sessions on their "own time," the district paid each attendee a stipend of $100 per day. Not to sound mercenary, but nothin' helps take away some of the sting like cold, hard cash (or checks, in this case).
I've seen the jigsaw activity used with adults once or twice. It looks like a great way to cover large quantities of information quickly. Have you used it with students? If so, have you had trouble with keeping the kids on task. It seems to me like it could easily devolve into a session of "walk around the room and talk to my friends."
Hi Tammy,
ReplyDeleteI agree with the monetary persuasion...our district has done the same. I was just thinking it would be cheaper for our district to hire subs for a full day than to pay each attendee $100. You're right...money is nice!
I have not used the jigsaw activity with kiddos. I just attended training this week with a trainer from Apple on Project Based Learning and he used it with adults. I thought it was great...allowed us to have input from others and verify our thoughts/findings. If I were use to use the jigsaw activity with kiddos, I think I would make it mandatory that all participants stay seated. Some "groups" might have to be "adjusted" and monitoring by the teacher would certainly be a must...you'd have to make sure to wear your walking shoes on a day with this kind of activity!
:-)
Sandy