Kudzu: Growing Intertwining Partnerships to Create Master Technology Teachers

Lisa Matherson and Wanda Williams Paul W. Bryant High School Dr. Liza Wilson and Dr. Vivian Wright University of Alabama Dr. Robert Mayben Technology in Motion UA/UWA Regional Inservice Educational Center

What is the MTT Program?

The Master Technology Teacher initiative at the University of
Alabama is a collaborative technology partnership among university secondary education faculty, ACER, UA in-service center, inservice teachers, and preservice teachers. The MTT partnership is designed to provide, to the partners, resources and long term development for enhancement of classroom technology integration and the development of technology skills.

http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/3786088/MTT

Goals of the MTT Program

Sustainable Bridge! A TRUE PARTNERSHIP
Enhance technology integration for clinical placements. Build student and teacher knowledge for integrating technology. Bridge gap between inservice, preservice, and teacher education program faculty for technology use. Provide long-term, sustained professional development. Collaborative uses of technology for teaching AND learning. Develop mentorship.

Program Includes
Access to technology (Technology on Wheels, digital cameras, GPS,
online tutorials, expertise of groups).

Strong preservice teacher involvementwork with clinical experience director. Faculty involvementmust be maintained. Introduction of emerging and innovative technologies. ACER support (resources and funding to high need PDS schools i.e.
materials, travel funds).

Current Model
Meet at a MTT teams participating school (5 sessions throughout school year). Group discussion. Pre-observation discussing the technology featured. Observe technology being used in the classroom and by the students. Peer Coaching (Joyce and Showers, 2002). Post-observation meeting (includes student feedback). Introduction of new tool/technology/team volunteers as a session host.

Observations from MTTs

Teachers and Students Facilitators and Content Providers. Provides opportunities to cover more content. Helped identify specic deciencies. Student Engagement is higher. Students look forward to learning. Students and content teachers enjoy collaboration. Other technology uses have occurred throughout building

Other Benets
Domino effect (teachers and students) in participating schools. Schools have purchased hardware/software used by MTTs (CPS, Interactive boards, digital cameras, GPS). MTTs have become go to person. Improved communication efforts within schools. Provided positive, engaging classroom experiences. Helps teachers build condence. True technology integration experiences. Conference and publication opportunities.

So Why Use Technology in the 21st Century?

To enhance teaching and learning. To prepare the 21st Century Learner. To help with shrinking school budgets -- Paperless Classroom; obtain grant monies, social networking. To collaborate and share. To engage students in learning.

An IMPORTANT Point...
DO NOT use technology for technologys sake.

The Overall Purpose

Promote the four Cs: Communication Collaboration Creativity Critical Thinking

The 2011Project

The Technology

Suggestions for Creating a Partnership

Dene the goals. Locate willing partners: Other schools, school systems, local universities... Obtain Funding: Write grants. Create/Develop partnerships. Peer Coaching/Mentoring Mutual respect. Work hard to sustain.

Links to Follow
http://tmt2011.wikispaces.com/ http://bit.ly/lHQ36a http://sqworl.com/o7obt8 http://uatim.wikispaces.com/MTT

Contacts
Lisa Matherson - lhmatherson@gmail.com Wanda Williams - mrswilliamsbhs@gmail.com Dr.Vivian Wright - vwright@bamaed.ua.edu Dr. Liza Wilson - ewilson@bama.ua.edu Dr. Robert Mayben - rmayben@bamaed.ua.edu

 Lisa Matherson - bryanthistoryt Wanda Williams - mrswilliamsbhs Robert Mayben - rmayben9