Why is the TLT Key Series Needed

The TLT Key Series of technology trainings grew out of ongoing discussions and a four year struggle to find a meaningful way to deliver training for the classroom teacher which will really make a difference.

Like all Regional Offices, ROE#11 has been providing basic skills and other trainings in how to use computers in the classroom for well over 10 yrs. Until now the typical model has been to offer 1 day or half day regional trainings on an isolated topic to teachers form different buildings. Then the hope was the teachers would return to their buildings and this "new knowledge"  would make a difference in the classroom. Even less successful was the hope that this new knowledge would spread across a building to change classroom practices throughout a building or district.

The reality is that these have never made any real difference and we have been struggling to find a framework to support and sustain real change in the classroom. Schools have invested millions of dollars in computers and communication infrastructure. Teachers do want to provide the best experiences for their students. But we have not given the teachers the support and job embedded training they need to make any meaningful difference in most classrooms.

Starting about four years ago, the six Regional Offices in Area IV and the Area IV Learning Technology Center started discussing a framework which would divide technology training programs into thee levels. This seemed realistic and like a natural division. The original three levels were (1) training for the classroom teacher,  (2) for the building level technology person, and third (3) was the district level Director of Technology training. We have been successful with the higher level "techie" training because they are a limited group who is easier to target and since it is their job description they normally have a much higher motivation factor and are willing to take control of their own training.

It is the millions of practicing classroom teachers for whom we have yet to find a way to make any meaningful difference. In ROE#11 alone we have over 3000 classroom teachers spread out across over 90 buildings.  We have never offered a sustained series of training with sufficient follow-up and support to allow these classroom teachers to feel safe and confident that they can truly integrate technology into classroom.

NSDC Research shows that it takes a minimum of 50 hours of training and practice to begin to produce measurable changes. The TLT - Key Series is an attempt to provide customized, sustained training, with sufficient support and opportunity for practice in order to really make a difference.

The present changes in both the school and teacher credentialing processes demand a better way to deliver effective staff development.

In Illinois every teacher must now teachers must now complete 120 hrs of instruction every 5 yrs (20 hrs/yr) to retain their teaching certificate. This continuing education must be in their content area, include technology, and align with the local school improvement goals. Schools must complete an annual School Improvement Plan and set goals for improving instruction and student achievement. These goals need to include the staff training to realize those goals. Every Illinois school must also complete a 3-to-5 yr Technology Plan which includes goals and professional development. The Regional Office is charged with providing the support and training needed by our schools and here again we we have been struggling to find a way to provide meaningful training aligned with the needs and goals of the school in our region. There is need for a technology staff development structure to meet the needs of all these groups and it is hoped the TLT Key Series can evolve to fulfill that need.