May 2007

Professional Development through the DLC

Shoreline School District, Aimee Miner and Jane O'Brien, Technology Integration Specialists

After embarking on a major technology integration initiative, Shoreline School District was in the market for online educational resources and joined the DLC in spring 2006 because of the wealth of resources and support available.

"We see the DLC as a great portal for us," says Aimee Miner, a Technology Integration Specialist with Shoreline. "The other plus is the incredible professional development support we've received from the DLC."

School support is a big part of DLC membership

The DLC helps schools improve student achievement with online resources. To that end, it offers a number of school support opportunities, including on-site training and follow-up consultations. While the goal of training is to help schools make the most of the resources, a side benefit is professional development: educators learn how to better integrate educational technology into the classroom.

The DLC provided an on-site staff training for Shorelines tech specialists and librarians in fall 2006. Since this initial training, there have been follow-up consultations as needed.

Miner says, "Tech Integration Specialists now know the resources available from the DLC and how to use them. If we ever have questions, we just pick up the phone…The DLC's customer service is Nordstrom-type quality."

Teachers use resources that suit their needs

After being trained by the DLC, Shoreline's tech specialists started training teachers, focusing on DLC resources that best support a particular classroom curriculum.

Jane O'Brien, who is also a Technology Integration Specialist with Shoreline, says that the DLC's library is the most used section of the website. "It's a great alternative to Google. For example, netTrekker zeroes in on websites geared toward grade levels, and it's a safe place for kids to search."

Another plus with the library databases, O'Brien has found, is that teachers can search netTrekker, SIRS, and Grolier for resources by Lexile level. "Searching by Lexile level is really helpful, especially for secondary students, such as ELL learners, that are at a lower reading level."

In addition to library databases, teachers are also actively using Apex Learning ClassTools, online curricula that allows them to individualize learning in the classroom. Shoreline teachers are using everything from Biology to French to AP Calculus.

The DLC's digital tools are also popular. Portfolio allows students to showcase their work, including digital files. WebQ has been used to solicit feedback from students and parents about classes and other programs. And GoPost allows students to discuss and critique each other's work. "GoPost is really interactive and gets kids involved in discussions who wouldn't normally participate," O'Brien says.

"Some of the DLC's tools are really easy to use and others take a little time to set up. But just like with any other new tool, if you don't get the professional development support you're going to put it away...It's only our first year using the DLC, but we feel like we've been successful."

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