Professional Development Workshops Eligible for Stimulus Funding

Middle Grade Math and Science Professional Development Workshops Eligible for Stimulus Funding

Adaptive Curriculum Workshops Support the Effective Use of Technology in the Classroom

Scottsdale, Arizona - Districts are using American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds to enhance and expand their professional development initiatives, as high-quality teacher training supports the effective use of technology to improve student learning experiences.  Sebit, LLC, developer of Adaptive Curriculum, offers professional development workshops for middle grade math and science teachers that qualify for ARRA funding.  Conducted by staff from Arizona State University, the workshops focus on the effective use of interactive online environments to engage students in math and science.

"Professional development is one way to stimulate growth and open the door to new strategies, concepts and techniques," said Renee Catalano, Science and Math Achievement Advisor at Glendale Elementary School District's Melvin E. Sine School in Arizona.  "Educators need to be exposed to new ideas so they can grow and improve professionally and personally."

Participants in the professional development workshop learn how to integrate an interactive online environment, such as Adaptive Curriculum, into their math and science curriculum.  Adaptive Curriculum offers an online library of engaging, standards-based lessons called Activity Objects.  During a workshop, teachers explore the online resources from Adaptive Curriculum, and gain hands-on experience building lesson plans that incorporate Activity Objects into their instruction.  Participants also discuss ways to individualize their curriculum, engage 21st century learners, and become more confident in teaching math and science.

"At the professional development workshop, I learned about all the options available through Adaptive Curriculum," said Catalano.  "The first half of the workshop focused on whole class instruction using an interactive whiteboard.  During the second half, each teacher had their own computer to explore Activity Objects that interested them, review the standard correlations, and discover options for integrating Activity Objects into their lesson plans.  What impressed me most was the versatility – teachers can use an Activity Object for a whole class demonstration, or assign an Activity Object to a student for individual practice."
The first two workshops, "Science Strategies for 21st Century Learners" and "Math Strategies for 21st Century Learners," enable participants to explore proven techniques and learn powerful, easy-to-use strategies for integrating technology into their middle school instruction.  The third workshop, "STEM Student Prep for 21st Century Workforce," explores national and state pathways to address STEM initiatives, helping participants become more confident in teaching concepts in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

During a workshop, participating teachers are encouraged to share teaching strategies and ask questions of math and science experts through online collaborative tools.  Teachers leave with knowledge of Adaptive Curriculum and its features, resources for implementing Adaptive Curriculum effectively in their classroom, and the lesson plans they created during the workshop.  Following the event, participants retain the ability to connect with each other, and Adaptive Curriculum specialists through online professional learning communities.

"Initially, some of my teachers were reluctant try Adaptive Curriculum," said Catalano.  "Once teachers found out they could search Activity Objects by standards, their interest in the program skyrocketed.  After attending the workshop, they really began to see the possibilities and dove into Adaptive Curriculum.  There was a waiting list to check out the laptop carts, and I believe more than 70 percent of teachers tried the Activity Objects with their students.  The feedback I received from teachers was positive, saying their students were engaged in the instruction."

Professional development workshops are available in half-day offerings, with a choice of year-long teacher-only licenses, or access to yearly student licenses.  The first model costs $625 per participant, and includes a one-year teacher-only Adaptive Curriculum license.  The second model costs $1,450 per participant, and includes access to 125 student Adaptive Curriculum licenses.  All costs include travel, and each model requires a minimum of 10 participants.

All workshops meet Title I and Title II D requirements for providing high-quality teacher training.
[June 30, 2009]

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