TEACHER LEADERSHIP PROJECT

By Brianne Band - 3rd Grade Teacher

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:
USING ONLINE RESOURCES IN THE CLASSROOM
WITH A FOCUS ON EXISTING ELA CURRICULUM RESOURCES

Resources will be shared with all K-5 teachers.

INQUIRY QUESTION:

 Will teachers use our ELA curriculum online

resources more in the classroom if provided
training on the resources available?
BACKGROUND AND GOAL

 Two years ago, our school adopted a new ELA curriculum. At the time, little to no training
was provided. In addition, as a small private school, we only have a few iPads per
classroom for daily use. If a teacher wants to implement online resources for the whole
class, they have to check out an iPad or Chromebook cart. As a result, very few teachers
use the many online resources provided by the curriculum, many of which could help to
engage students and provide differentiation.
 My goal is to provide a more formal training on how to upload student information within
the curriculum’s platform and demonstrate how existing resources can be helpful in the
classroom. While teachers will still have to checkout the tech carts, my hope is that they
will see a greater value in taking the time to do so if they better understand the resources
available to them.
SPECIAL EMPHASIS FOCUS

 ISTE C 4.3 Collaborator – Coaches establish productive relationships with educators to

improve instructional practice and learning outcomes.
 I will be partnering with teaching staff grades 1-5 to identify digital learning content that is
developmentally appropriate and aligned to standards. I’ll be providing personalized support by
planning and modeling effective use of technology to improve student learning
SO FAR I HAVE…

 I have distributed a Google survey to see how many

teachers use the ELA online resources, how often, and
specifically which resources are used.

Are you using the Online Wonders

 I Have reviewed survey responses confirming need for platform in your classroom?
training.

 I have determined that training is needed an desired by

the teaching staff.
SO FAR I HAVE…

 I have created a PowerPoint presentation walking

teachers step-by-step through uploading their students
information into the ELA platform. (This step is often
done by the district in a public school but because we
don’t have anyone dedicated to technology teachers
have to complete this input themselves.)
SO FAR I HAVE… WEEK 11

 I created slides that provide online resource provided by

our ELA curriculum that I believe will be the most
useful to teachers.
 I have shared the all slides with teachers K-5.
 I have received positive feedback indicating that more
teacher will attempt using the online resources.
NEXT I WILL…

 Teachers have indicated that because of these resources, they will make an attempt to utilize
the online resources. The next step is adding an in-person training to the professional
development schedule for the fall, prior to the new school year starting. The slides can be
provided to all new incoming teachers as well and updated year-to-year as new resources
become available.

 I will also continue my research of practical and simple to use online resources within our
curriculum and update the resource slides as I go.
 CHALLENGES FOR ME SO FAR…AND A WIN!

 One challenge is that our Chromebooks need to be updated. Often there are a few that no
longer charge so if there are no absent students, I was often short one or two when testing
out resources n my class.
 Also, in trying to provide teaches with ideas that are simple and practical, I have been
testing out the resources with my own students. Much of it is trial and error as I myself have
never been trained to use the online resources. This has been a bit trying at times, but kudos
to my kids, they have been troopers.
 Bonus… most of the time we figure it out, and the kids enjoy a new and engaging way to
practice their ELA skills.
Yay!