Designing and Leading Effective Technology Workshops Connected Classroom Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach

Designing Workshops n Training Decisions….Who Makes Them? –How to Train –Where to Train –Who Will Train –How Often to Train –Ways to Train

Design Outline n Survey Needs Survey Needs –This Allows Ownership –Lets You Assess Your Learners n Find the X factor –Individual Choice –Meaningful Activities that Apply to Realistic Learning Situations

More Design Outline n State a Goal…Move Learners Along a Continuum Based on Needs Survey n All Technology Workshops Need to be Seen in the Context of Improving overall Quality of School Programs n Teach to the Gap

How Do You Hook Them n Make Training an Adventure with a Theme Approach n Offer Training both During and After School n Model Exemplary Practice Model Exemplary Practice n Team Teach/ Collaborate n Respond to Unscheduled Needs…Technical and Instructional n Differentiate Levels Differentiate Levels

Incentives to Participate n Voluntary Better than Mandated n Meet Personal Goals n Time Off for Technology Professional Development n Technology Upgrades for Proficient n Points for Recertification n Recognition

Examples of How to Train n Large Group n One-to-One n Workshops n Give Info ( , help desk, just in time help, notes) n Books, FAQs, Documentation n Model by Teaching n Observe n Peer-to-Peer n On-line Tutorials n List Serves n Web Pages n Train the Trainer

Ways to Train n Teacher Computer Club n One-on-One n Grade Level Planning n New Horizons Plus n Staff & Volunteer n TechAssistants TechAssistants n Phase I & Phase II Lab Instruction Phase I & Phase II Lab Instruction n Mentorship n Title I Outreach n Science and Technology Night n Business Partnerships

Enthusiasm is Contagious n You Can’t Give Away What You Don’t Own n Sell Your Product and Yourself n Have a Well Defined Sense of Humor n Be Flexible and Positive n Demonstrate a Willingness to Adapt to Different Learning Styles

Leading Workshops n Start with Intros or Intro Activity n KWL to Assess your Learners n Give Whole Picture First n Pass Out Handouts n (Demonstrate) Perfect Product? Then Perfect the Process (Demonstrate) Perfect Product? Then Perfect the Process n Ask Questions to Check for Understanding Ask Questions to Check for Understanding

Steps to Teaching a Skill n 1. Instruct (educate, prepare) “I tell you ” n 2. Illustrate (expose, preview) “you watch me” n 3. Involve (experience) “we do together” n 4. Improve (efficent, perform) “I watch you” n 5. Inspire (encourage, pass it on) “keep it up!”

Electronic Presentation n Use a Projection Device n 7x7 Rule n Font and Text n Color Sets Mood n 7 Minute Rule n Enhance with Clip Art, Sounds, Animation Enhance with Clip Art, Sounds, Animation

Delivery Style Counts n Use a Variety of Strategies n Eye Contact…Voice Projection... Stage Presence n Active Involvement n Integrate Schematically n Offer Breaks n Validate and Affirm n Avoid Jargon and do not “talk down”

Evaluation and Assessment n Ask for Evaluation, Comments, Suggestions n Self-Assess After Each Workshop n Make Evaluation Formal And Informal Make Evaluation Formal And Informal n Keep Journal n Grow from the Experience n Be Accountable

Guidelines for Reaching the Reluctant n Convince them Goal is Increased Student Performance n Deliver a Complete Package n Speak their Language n Offer Continual Support n Provide Rewards and Incentives n Eliminate Risk and Surprise

Tips, Tricks, and Techniques n Rewards for Right Answers n Humor…the unexpected n Use Catchy Titles n Brag and Promote Their Success (Not Yours) n Drama n Role Play n Pantomime n Consistently Exceed Expectation

Interesting Ideas for Workshops n Learning Center Software Preview n Circus Format n Game Show Style Review n Bait and Switch n Gadgets and Toys n How to Buy a Computer n Cereal Box Learning n Boot Camp

“Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goals” Author Unknown

TechAssistant Available to help with training by assisting individual teachers during lesson. On call if needed for one-on-one later