Hello Jackie and all,
 
In an attempt to reach more part-time teachers working in rural areas, I have been experimenting with using ITV with a limited number of sites (3 maximum, and I am present at one of the 3) for PD. While somewhat successful, the technology still presents some challenges. One occasion, I tested the technology with all sites the day before my workshop. Unfortunately, there was a windstorm during the night which knocked out the connection with one of the sites and for the first 2 hours of a 6 hour workshop, they were connected via cell phone. It was a Saturday and it took that long to find the technicians to repair the system.
 
I am including my current protocol for PD using ITV with the one addition that I would avoid attempting such a thing unless technical staff were available at all sites during the activity.
 
I'd also love to hear other's experience and advice for successful PD with ITV.
 

Professional Development using ITV

 

ð      Each site will have a cohort of participants

ð      An onsite facilitator for each site with technical knowledge

ð      E-mail all handouts, sign-in sheets and evaluations to onsite facilitators

o      color key in footer for easy identification

o      number all handouts in the order in which they will be distributed (begin with 01 so that computer sorts in correct order)

o      Organize handouts into "individual packets" and "group work" - write clear directions for onsite facilitators about when to distribute handouts for group activities

ð      Onsite facilitators prepare handouts with clear instructions from overall facilitator

ð      Pre-test ITV 

o      Facilitator and participants can be seen and heard at all sites

o      Power Point presentations can be easily viewed at all sites

o      Easily switch between ppt. view and facilitator view

o      Send copy of ppt. to remote sites with clear directions about when to proceed from one slide to the next

o      Walk through all handouts and activities with onsite facilitators

ð      Have speaker phone as back-up in case of problems with ITV connection

ð      Facilitator has list of all sites and participants at each site

ð      Start with introductions - all participants at all sites

ð      Treat sites equally

ð      During activities, alternate site input - keep checklist

o      Do not have every group at every site report back on each activity - alternate

ð      Keep checking in with all participants at all sites

ð      Provide immediate feedback loop

ð      Have cell phones available and make sure each site has other contact numbers in case of technical problems

ð      Observe "rules" for workshops regarding 

o      Cell phones (except for emergency contact with technical problems)

o      Breaks

o      Side-bar conversations (these are at least as annoying in ITV as in  f-2-f!)

ð      Mute mikes when not speaking

 
Susan
 
SUSAN KIDD
ABE Professional Development Coordinator
State Board for Community & Technical Colleges
509-682-6968
cell phone: 509-630-4520
 
 

________________________________

From: professionaldevelopment-bounces at nifl.gov on behalf of Taylor, Jackie
Sent: Tue 8/7/2007 2:20 AM
To: The Adult Literacy Professional Development Discussion List
Subject: [ProfessionalDevelopment 1474] August's Topic-of-the-Month:Alternative Delivery Models and Innovations in Blends



PD List Colleagues:

Each month, we highlight a key issue or aspect of adult literacy professional development, so that we may deepen our collaborations by collecting ideas, strategies, and resources. The topic-of-the-month for August 2007 is:

August: Alternative Delivery Models and Innovations in Blends (Including, but not limited to): 

*	Sharing our OWN work and seeing others': local/regional online courses 
*	Tools/Course management systems such as Moodle 
*	Pod casts 
*	Synchronous distance PD such as Tapped In 
*	Second Life 
*	Use of interactive TV 
*	Online Course Considerations: Facilitated, Non-Facilitated, and Self-Paced 
*	Technology and Time Considerations 

Last month's topic was Follow-Up Models to Professional Development. With the help of our guests, Cristine Smith and Marilyn Gillespie, we explored the potential for job-embedded professional development in adult literacy, shared examples and questions about peer coaching and mentoring, and offered a variety of examples of site-based PD: http://wiki.literacytent.org/index.php/Research_on_Professional_Development_and_Teacher_Change 

 

Yet follow-up models to professional development can often include alternatives in blends, and extend face-to-face (F2F) opportunities. They may be used to extend the learning experience in tandem with innovative or more traditional F2F methods, or stand on their own as a form of distance PD. What are your questions, examples from practice, case studies, recent readings, and other resources about alternative blends that you have to share?

 

Let's take this opportunity to collaborate before fall is upon us. I'm looking forward to exploring the possibilities with you this month. Please, dive right in! :-)

 

Best, Jackie

 

Jackie Taylor, Adult Literacy Professional Development List Moderator, jataylor at utk.edu 

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