Page 16 - EdViewptsSpring2021
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A Model for Teacher Support in
Digital Tools and Educational
Technology
By Scott Marakovits, Ed.D., Curriculum Department, Salem County Vo-Tech Schools
There is no doubt that the training that is needed, I suggest taking The initial survey that I sent out was
switch to more remote the steps outlined below to provide a anonymous to allow for staff to be more
more teacher-centered approach for
open in providing information about
and hybrid learning has support where it is needed most. My their current skills and comfort levels
intensified the need to experiences in taking these steps have with various aspects of teaching online.
allowed for teachers to improve and
This survey also provided teachers with
provide teachers with grow in the remote teaching situation some options for providing feedback for
educational technology that we all suddenly faced beginning in trainings in specific digital tools, tech-
nology resources, and online teaching
March 2020.
support, particularly in strategies for engaging, effective remote
the areas of Google Apps, Using a Technology Survey to lessons. The staff survey was then
“Take the Pulse” of Staff
used to drive the formation of tutorial
digital tools, educational First, I conducted a staff survey to col- and practice-based trainings, a monthly
technology programs, lect valuable information for myself as educational technology newsletter, and
monthly open sessions for technology
an administrator to get in touch with the
Zoom, and more. Teachers areas that teachers need support in. support. Further, the ongoing open ses-
may find themselves in various levels The technology survey that I developed sions are being used to connect to the
of comfort, skills, and experience with focused on various areas such as web planning of more formal future profes-
digital instruction. To provide educators conferencing, Google Apps, supplemen- sional development sessions.
with the personalized technology tal digital tools, and virtual programs.
Educational Viewpoints -14- Spring 2021
