Onsite Workshops

ALTEC offers a variety of workshops to help participants explore ways to integrate and measure authentic classroom technology integration through the use of student-centered instruction, project-based learning strategies, and infusion activities fostering the application of higher-order thinking skills.  Shared strategies and resources will assist participants in the development of district- and building-level technology plans. Learn how to maximize professional development and plan for curriculum initiatives through integration and assessment of current technology-use in the classroom. 

Technology Integration for Classroom Teachers
This workshop is designed to expand awareness and understanding of the use of technology for teaching and student learning. Using current technology integration frameworks, participants will explore technology resources that support authentic, student-centered learning utilizing higher-order thinking skills. Target audience: Technology Integration Facilitators, Technology Directors, Curriculum Directors, Classroom Teachers

Technology Integration Facilitator Institute
This Institute will provide Technology Integration Facilitators the skills, strategies, and resources necessary to effectively help teachers integrate technology into their classroom activities. With an emphasis on student achievement through student-centered, project based learning, as well as higher-order and complex thinking strategies, facilitators will explore powerful teaching and learning resources to support the classroom teacher. Throughout the institute, activities will focus on identifying technology integration levels, conducting classroom observations, and delivering effective professional development to staff. Target audience: Technology Integration Facilitators, Technology Directors, Curriculum Directors and others that will be key players to implementing technology in your District.

Technology Integration Administrator Institute
The Technology Integration Administrator Institute is designed to help building- and district-leaders acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to identify and support effective technology integration practices. Activities during the institute will promote higher levels of technology integration for classroom teaching and learning. Using current technology integration frameworks, participants will explore a data-driven approach to technology planning. Target audience :  Superintendents, Principals, Technology Directors, School Improvement Directors, Curriculum Directors.

Technology Integration Academy: An Intensive Opportunity for Learning
The Technology Integration Academy provides quality, personalized professional development to a number of school staff over a period of months to optimize the integration of technology into instruction. Ten to 20 educators from a school will be involved in a series of one-day professional development work sessions over a five-month period beginning in the fall. Two additional months of follow-up online support will occur in the spring of the following year. Professional development will target the technology integration goals of the school and will be customized according to the school’s identified needs.

Project Based Learning
Teachers receive step-by-step guidance on how to start and implement a technology-enhanced and engaging learning environment utilizing Project Based Learning (PBL) principles. Participants will also learn how to create a technology-enhanced and engaging learning environment for students using strategies based on PBL principles.

Readings, development assignments and discussion participation may be required for this workshop. In addition, participants may be required to develop and share their ideas and incorporate tools and strategies presented in the workshops into their own curricula.

Increasing Technology Capacity: Strategic Technology Planning
Developing a vision and plan for incorporating technology into school curriculum may seem like a daunting task. In this seminar-style workshop, participants will discuss and explore current school technology questions and needs, as well as receive skills and knowledge necessary to move forward with systematic technology integration.

The workshop will include two to three synchronous meetings via Web-based video conferencing software. The course will begin with a general syllabus. Following a seminar style, however, the group will decide which course topics will be covered or added as needed by the group. Based on this customized learning plan, facilitators will provide dynamic content to meet learning needs as well as facilitate interaction among participants and with guest speakers who are leaders in the field.

Examples of topics may include:
· Assessment of staff development needs
· Why you need a technology plan and how to build
· Getting started with E-rate
· Planning for technology upgrades
· How to access current school technology capacity
· What other schools are doing

Software

Advanced Microsoft Office
The Advanced Microsoft Office involves two consecutive days of hands-on sessions in a lab with four weeks follow-up sessions utilizing an online workshop format. Teachers will learn to use the advanced features of the Microsoft Office Suite, including PowerPoint, Word, Excel, and Publisher, to make exemplary products for classroom integration.

The first two-days of the workshop are conducted in a computer lab setting. These two days provide participants first-hand experience with support from an ALTEC Specialist. The entire workshop is designed to give teachers opportunities to not only use Microsoft Office’s advanced features, but also to learn how to create mail merges, games, spreadsheets, newsletters, and more. After the two-day sessions, participants will interact online for four consecutive weeks. There will be a weekly assignment and discussion, which should require no more than 2 hours a week to complete.

Inspiration/Kidspiration/Kid Pix
Teachers receive step-by-step guidance on how utilize Inspiration, Kidspiration, and KidPix software for elementary instruction. This offering may be customized to focus on one of the titles or a combination.

Equipment/Online Resources

An LCD Projector in the Classroom
LCD Projector in the Classroom professional development sessions focus on integrating an LCD projector and a computer connected to the Internet into instruction. This involves one half-day of hands-on experience with a projector and the use of Web-based resources, including teaching teachers to connect to their projectors and to troubleshoot common problems. Particular attention is paid to the use of Web resources in a one-computer classroom.

Interactive Whiteboard in the Classroom
Participants will become familiar with classroom use of interactive whiteboards and how to integrate them into instruction. The session involves hands-on practice in using the SMART, Mimio, or Promethean software to take notes, create lesson plans, and give presentations. Participants will learn about a variety of Web resources that support the use of electronic whiteboards. This workshop can be tailored to address the use of an interactive whiteboard in a one-computer classroom, or to support a specific content area.

Interactive Whiteboard Intensive
This workshop introduces teachers to using an Interactive Whiteboard (SmartBoard©) in the classroom. Participants will receive guidance on how to set up a SmartBoard, use Smart® Notebook software, integrate instructional software and interactive Web sites as well as explore whole-class instruction techniques. Readings, practice assignments and discussion participation are requirements for this workshop.

The Digital Difference: Exploring the Power of Video-based Learning
Digital Difference professional development sessions focus on both the technology literacy skills required to capture and use digital images as well as strategies for embedding video development into instruction. Participants will learn the specifics of capturing and importing video in addition to using digital editing software and storyboard techniques. The session will be conducted in a lab setting with a maximum of three participants to a computer. The emphasis is on using this technology within a project-based approach to instruction.

The workshop session consists of two consecutive days of workshops with an additional follow-up day, all on site.

Promoting Creative Thinking Skills Using Handhelds
Teachers explore ways to use handhelds to develop creative thinking skills in their students. The use of handhelds in creative writing will be covered as well as the application of “generative” learning strategies: brainstorming and categorizing; techniques for constructing mental models and graphic representations; co-construction of knowledge; general and content-specific problem solving processes; mechanisms for exploring multiple and differing perspectives; and techniques for building upon prior knowledge. For each of these learning strategies, educators will be provided concrete illustrations and information about available software or resources that could be used. For example, under brainstorming and categorizing, three separate brainstorming techniques (Ideawriting, Snowballing, and Gallery Method) will be illustrated as implemented using handhelds.

Podcastic Classroom Applications
Free tools available today make it easy for teachers to use media resources to enhance learning experiences in the classroom and beyond. Participants will learn strategies to capture video, audio, and pictures in a podcast format to enhance teaching materials for any discipline, promote collaboration, or communicate with parents. The workshop will provide an overview of technologies needed to make a podcast and access to free media editors that will be installed to create an authentic podcast. Existing exemplar podcast examples will be studied and facilitated discussions will help participants brainstorm the development of a podcast that addresses classroom teaching objectives. Participants will also create a final product that demonstrates their mastery of collecting media in an informative manner to create a podcast and distribute it through a podcatcher such as iTunes.

Custom Staff Inservice Days
You can customize your training, contact us with details about training topics, number of teachers to be trained, and training dates and we'll put together a custom training just for your teachers.