Professional Learning & Program Evaluation
FRIT 7237 Program Evaluation Plan
Element: 5.3
In FRIT 7237, Needs Assessment and Program Evaluation, we were given the task of creating an implementation and summative evaluation plan for a project proposal. The project described in that proposal was professional development for Braxton County math teachers focused on the application of New State Standards for Mathematics for creating and using problem-based learning modules. As a collaborative team, we had to develop the evaluation plan for the project. Certain requirements were given such as using tables and narrative descriptions for both implementation and summative evaluations. The team had to also supply a data collection schedule and summary of this. All of this with a page limit of 4 pages the project director had placed for the evaluation plan.
This at first didn’t appear to be a huge assignment but it had its own issues along the way. Luckily, I had a great team and we collaborated very well together. What we found best with our 4-person team was to split up the work among 3 of us. The 4th person was the editor and helped the other 3 find any resources along the way. When we had put the plan together each of us read it completely to make sure it flowed well. It was a successful collaboration. The one problem we kept facing was getting it down to the 4-page limit. It took a little work but we were finally able to do that as well by finding more concise wording to shorten it.
This at first didn’t appear to be a huge assignment but it had its own issues along the way. Luckily, I had a great team and we collaborated very well together. What we found best with our 4-person team was to split up the work among 3 of us. The 4th person was the editor and helped the other 3 find any resources along the way. When we had put the plan together each of us read it completely to make sure it flowed well. It was a successful collaboration. The one problem we kept facing was getting it down to the 4-page limit. It took a little work but we were finally able to do that as well by finding more concise wording to shorten it.
FRIT 7739 Face-to-Face Staff Development Workshop
Elements: 5.1, 5.2, 5.3
Reflection
FRIT 7739 Practicum assignment: Face-to-Face Staff Development encompasses all the elements of this standard but especially element 5.2: Candidates develop and implement technology-based professional learning that aligns to state and national professional learning standards, integrates technology to support face-to- face and online components, models principles of adult learning, and promotes best practices in teaching, learning, and assessment. This is one of those assignments that don't seem very daunting until you begin putting it together. I have taught people before how to do this very thing but very less informal than having to develop a design document and consider the steps needed. With that being said this is a much better way than just teaching it on the fly. Often, when you are asked to show someone how to do something you just begin where you are comfortable and forget they might not be at the same level. This very thing happened even though I went back to the very first detail to start this process. I figured that most of the teachers in the class would think that the beginning steps were to basic but I was surprised they the steps were helpful.
This course was accepted very well and the teachers who took it were excited with the new knowledge they had learned. One issue I had was that I was not able to teach them all at once. There was some issue with the training coordinator that I had contacted at this school had not gotten the word out to everyone. The ones who had initially taken the needs assessment were aware of the course title and were excited to learn more about it. I was asked if I could do two different sessions so everyone would have a chance to participate. I agreed that I could fit that in and noticed that when I went back for the second session I had some from the first session that wanted to just go back over the material so they could practice more. In hindsight if I were to do this class again, I would break the slide presentation up even more than I already had. I feel that some of the slides become a little too busy and would like them to appear simpler. Everyone suggested the class was informative and that they had no problems with the slides it is just my personal take on it. I also had an issue with the Likert scale survey I built. When I first built it I hadn't paid attention that I had done the numbers in reverse of what most surveys show. I had used 1 for Agree and Most Likely and had used 5 for Disagree and Most Unlikely. I did get oral feedback from those taking the survey they had to look really close because of this issue. I would have to unlink the survey results and create a new survey results page if done again.
FRIT 7739 Practicum assignment: Face-to-Face Staff Development encompasses all the elements of this standard but especially element 5.2: Candidates develop and implement technology-based professional learning that aligns to state and national professional learning standards, integrates technology to support face-to- face and online components, models principles of adult learning, and promotes best practices in teaching, learning, and assessment. This is one of those assignments that don't seem very daunting until you begin putting it together. I have taught people before how to do this very thing but very less informal than having to develop a design document and consider the steps needed. With that being said this is a much better way than just teaching it on the fly. Often, when you are asked to show someone how to do something you just begin where you are comfortable and forget they might not be at the same level. This very thing happened even though I went back to the very first detail to start this process. I figured that most of the teachers in the class would think that the beginning steps were to basic but I was surprised they the steps were helpful.
This course was accepted very well and the teachers who took it were excited with the new knowledge they had learned. One issue I had was that I was not able to teach them all at once. There was some issue with the training coordinator that I had contacted at this school had not gotten the word out to everyone. The ones who had initially taken the needs assessment were aware of the course title and were excited to learn more about it. I was asked if I could do two different sessions so everyone would have a chance to participate. I agreed that I could fit that in and noticed that when I went back for the second session I had some from the first session that wanted to just go back over the material so they could practice more. In hindsight if I were to do this class again, I would break the slide presentation up even more than I already had. I feel that some of the slides become a little too busy and would like them to appear simpler. Everyone suggested the class was informative and that they had no problems with the slides it is just my personal take on it. I also had an issue with the Likert scale survey I built. When I first built it I hadn't paid attention that I had done the numbers in reverse of what most surveys show. I had used 1 for Agree and Most Likely and had used 5 for Disagree and Most Unlikely. I did get oral feedback from those taking the survey they had to look really close because of this issue. I would have to unlink the survey results and create a new survey results page if done again.
McFatridge_Face to Face PD_FRIT7739 by Lee McFatridge on Scribd
FRIT 7739 Online Staff Development Workshop
Elements: 5.1, 5.2, 5.3
Reflection
Part of FRIT 7739 Practicum course, I had to develop a separate staff development from the face-to-face staff development that was presented to a group of teachers at another elementary school in my county. I was almost too late getting this module together. For some reason, it had slipped my mind that we would be going on spring break, I mean how do you forget about spring break! However, I was able to get this sent out and I guess 8 people liked me enough to complete the training. From the feedback I received they enjoyed the training and gave great remarks. There were a few comments about adding additional resources and things like that but for the most part they enjoyed it and made an effort to come by my room to also let me know this in person. In retrospect though I am not as pleased with this online module as I have been about other things I have produced. I don’t think I gave it enough thought that it may have been a better class if I had used a screencast of me going over the module instead of using a Google Slide presentation. However, I did mention that to one teacher and she liked this better because she could simply go back to a slide if need be without having to stop a video. I also take into account that a few of them thought it would be good if I had a few example quizzes on the site so they could see what it actually works and looks like from a student’s perspective. I do know that I have been asked to pass this on to some other folks who want the online version, however, I think I want to fix a few of the things I have noticed and reflected on before sending them to it. I think the face-to-face training was better than what I was able to give them on this one online course but hope to remedy that soon.
Part of FRIT 7739 Practicum course, I had to develop a separate staff development from the face-to-face staff development that was presented to a group of teachers at another elementary school in my county. I was almost too late getting this module together. For some reason, it had slipped my mind that we would be going on spring break, I mean how do you forget about spring break! However, I was able to get this sent out and I guess 8 people liked me enough to complete the training. From the feedback I received they enjoyed the training and gave great remarks. There were a few comments about adding additional resources and things like that but for the most part they enjoyed it and made an effort to come by my room to also let me know this in person. In retrospect though I am not as pleased with this online module as I have been about other things I have produced. I don’t think I gave it enough thought that it may have been a better class if I had used a screencast of me going over the module instead of using a Google Slide presentation. However, I did mention that to one teacher and she liked this better because she could simply go back to a slide if need be without having to stop a video. I also take into account that a few of them thought it would be good if I had a few example quizzes on the site so they could see what it actually works and looks like from a student’s perspective. I do know that I have been asked to pass this on to some other folks who want the online version, however, I think I want to fix a few of the things I have noticed and reflected on before sending them to it. I think the face-to-face training was better than what I was able to give them on this one online course but hope to remedy that soon.
Google Forms Syllabus by Lee McFatridge on Scribd
FRIT 7739 Part A: Technology Program Administrator
Element: 5.3
Reflection
The Technology Program Administrator and Brag Sheet task for FRIT 7739 Practicum had me use surveys and observations over my practicum time and develop a report based on my findings of the effectiveness of our technology center. NHE school is a more traditional media center at this time but looking for ways to move into a more technology driven center or learning commons. The media center does control the computer lab and the learning that goes on there during Specials rotations. There is a lot happening though at NHE and the school will be rebuilt within 2 years and next year the school is changing its learning culture to a more project-based learning culture with STEM initiative.
What I did learn by using the observations and surveys was there is actually more going on than one would first imagine. The media center staff is trying to pull resources where they can to move students into more 21st century learning than years previously. What one would not consider "technology" the media center sees as avenues to get students to use higher-order thinking that will push them in that direction. The media center is doing a good job trying to meet their mission and goals but they realize they are a ways off from accomplishing it. What I enjoyed most about this assignment was seeing what they actually do instead of criticizing for what they aren't doing. They are trying to accomplish their goals but it is a step-by-step process to get to the end means. I think after working with the Media Specialist she does see a need now to increase the media centers web presence because not everyone is able to see what I have observed or know their desire to increase what they do. She also stated that she would like to start each school staff meeting with a 5 minute blurb about what they have, what they want, and what they can help with now.
The Technology Program Administrator and Brag Sheet task for FRIT 7739 Practicum had me use surveys and observations over my practicum time and develop a report based on my findings of the effectiveness of our technology center. NHE school is a more traditional media center at this time but looking for ways to move into a more technology driven center or learning commons. The media center does control the computer lab and the learning that goes on there during Specials rotations. There is a lot happening though at NHE and the school will be rebuilt within 2 years and next year the school is changing its learning culture to a more project-based learning culture with STEM initiative.
What I did learn by using the observations and surveys was there is actually more going on than one would first imagine. The media center staff is trying to pull resources where they can to move students into more 21st century learning than years previously. What one would not consider "technology" the media center sees as avenues to get students to use higher-order thinking that will push them in that direction. The media center is doing a good job trying to meet their mission and goals but they realize they are a ways off from accomplishing it. What I enjoyed most about this assignment was seeing what they actually do instead of criticizing for what they aren't doing. They are trying to accomplish their goals but it is a step-by-step process to get to the end means. I think after working with the Media Specialist she does see a need now to increase the media centers web presence because not everyone is able to see what I have observed or know their desire to increase what they do. She also stated that she would like to start each school staff meeting with a 5 minute blurb about what they have, what they want, and what they can help with now.
NHE Technology Program Administrator by Lee McFatridge on Scribd
FRIT 7739 Part B: Technology Program Administrator Brag Sheet
Element: 5.3
Standard 5: Professional Learning & Program Evaluation
Candidates demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to conduct needs assessments, develop technology-based professional learning programs, and design and implement regular and rigorous program evaluations to assess effectiveness and impact on student learning.
Candidates demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to conduct needs assessments, develop technology-based professional learning programs, and design and implement regular and rigorous program evaluations to assess effectiveness and impact on student learning.
- Element 5.1 Needs Assessment - Candidates conduct needs assessments to determine school-wide, faculty, grade-level, and subject area strengths and weaknesses to inform the content and delivery of technology- based professional learning programs.
- Element 5.2 Professional Learning - Candidates develop and implement technology-based professional learning that aligns to state and national professional learning standards, integrates technology to support face-to- face and online components, models principles of adult learning, and promotes best practices in teaching, learning, and assessment.
- Element 5.3 Program Evaluation - Candidates design and implement program evaluations to determine the overall effectiveness of professional learning on deepening teacher content knowledge, improving teacher pedagogical skills and/or increasing student learning.