In our increasingly global marketplace, how to effectively prepare our kids to compete in a 21st-century economy is the crucial question facing education in America. Technology plays a key role in changing the ways that teachers teach and students learn. SETDA members recognize the ubiquitous nature of technology and the essential need to infuse technology into our teaching practices to prepare our students for the global marketplace. In order to integrate technology into the curriculum, teachers need sustainable professional development that is consistent, continuous, and relevant to each teacher’s personal and professional goals. Students need access to instruction that integrates technology and targets a higher level of engagement.

SETDA members agree that most teachers are not afforded the training, resources, and/or time to master the skills necessary to integrate technology into the curriculum nor are they offered an opportunity to modernize their classroom to address the needs of the 21st century student. Joyce and Showers (2004) found that a teacher who attended a one-time workshop only had a two to five percent chance of implementing the practice in the classroom. In contrast, as shown by research and practical experience, professional development that is on-going and allows time for demonstration and practice leads to systemic change in teaching practices.

THE FACTS
Over 300 studies of technology use conclude that teacher training was the most significant factor influencing the effective use of educational technology to improve student achievement (Sivin-Kachala & Bialo, 2000)

In Iowa, after providing teachers with sustainable professional development and technology-based curriculum interventions, student scores increased by 14 percentage points in eighth grade math, 16 points in fourth grade math, and 13 points in fourth grade reading, when compared with control groups.

In Utah, Missouri, and Maine, students in classrooms that participated in the eMINTS program, which provides high levels of technology for students and teachers, students scored 10-20 percentage points higher than students in control classrooms

Examples of Effective Professional Development Approaches

Professional development is more effective when it involves sharing knowledge among educators, and when it is sustained and utilized continuously through modeling, coaching, and collaborations (Kleiman 2004). Online professional development, curriculum cadres, and technology coaches are all successful methods of providing professional development to educators to improve teaching with the overall goal of increasing student learning and achievement.

Online professional developmentcan provide robust, cost effective professional development for teachers. Online professional development enables teachers to learn based upon their own schedule and provides opportunities for interaction with teachers in schools across the country. In Massachusetts and Ohio, where online professional development courses are available for educators, the vast majority of participants indicated that they had plans to or already implemented new ideas and strategies in the classroom. Online professional development is a successful method for providing professional development to our teachers, so that they can enrich classroom teaching and enhance student learning.

Curriculum cadres consist of a core group of highly qualified individuals including teachers, curriculum developers, curriculum coordinators, and administrators who work together providing leadership in utilizing best practices to effectively integrate technology into instruction and the classroom. Several states, including Oregon, Montana, and Wisconsin are successfully using curriculum cadres to improve professional development for teachers, enrich classroom teaching, and enhance student learning.

Technology coaching is another method of professional development that has helped teachers use technology in ways that promote engaged learning. Technology coaches train teachers to use technology in an effective manner, and assist teachers with integrating technology into the classroom and the curriculum. Utilizing technology coaches who have the leadership, technology skills, and curriculum expertise has proven very effective in Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee.

Summary
SETDA believes that state legislatures have the ability and the desire to ensure all students are ready to compete in the global marketplace. In order for our students to be successful, our teachers need the best tools available to teach in the 21st century and the professional development necessary to utilize those tools. Businesses know that, in order to compete, they need to continuously build and update the skills and abilities of their workforce as well as provide access to the tools necessary to be productive. We need to make the same commitment to our teachers that businesses make to their employees and provide sustainable professional development that focuses on technology integration in the curriculum and classroom, and that is relevant to students and teachers. Online professional development, curriculum cadres, and technology coaches are successful professional development approaches that can be replicated among states. When professional development is continuous and relevant it becomes an essential component in supporting systemic change in teaching and learning so that all teachers and students are prepared for the 21st century.