Discussion+Questions

Discussion Questions:
1. Should the definition of a highly qualified teacher rely not only on content specialization and educational pedagogy, but also be changed to include a technology competency component? What role does staff development need to play in helping teachers become better at integrating technology into the classroom?

2. In your experience, have you found that many teachers are capable of successfully integrating technology into the classroom? Where are they lacking? What do you think that they need to succeed?

3. How important do you view the need to change a school's culture in regards to successfully implementing school improvement? Should it be more important to change the individual instead of focusing on changing an entire school?

4. Can you think of a time in your career when a change plan was mandated in which it was lacking either an organizational or pedagogical component and if so, how did these impact the plan's ability to succeed or fail?

5. How does mandated staff development hinder or help the teacher become an agent of change? In your opinion, which is more successful? Organic change instituted by teachers or mandated staff development change?

6. Based on the CBAM & Staff Development PDF (linked below) is there a specific Stage of Concern where your school or district drops the ball and does not address the issues teachers have with technology implementation?

http://www.personal.kent.edu/~slspence/CBAM&StaffDev.pdf