Importance of Professional Development
My philosophy is that in addition to the technology department providing robust 24/7 access for students, staff, alumni and parents to a school’s technology resources, the primary focus should be on how technology is being used to enhance student learning and increase faculty productivity. Additionally, the providing of professional development for teachers to integrate Twenty-First Century Learning technologies in their instruction cannot be over emphasized. When technology is fully integrated into the curriculum, student achievement in academic standards will grow due to increased rigor and relevance.
Twenty-First Century Learning
The future of student learning (student skills) in schools must include Twenty-First Century skills such as collaboration, digital literacy, critical thinking, adaptability, complex communication skills, non-routine problem solving, self-management, systems-thinking and problem solving. The ultimate goal of Twenty-First Century Learning is that it will be more “learner-driven” instead of the traditional model of a teacher led lecture. A critical component of classrooms that are using Twenty-First Century principles is each student having access to the internet and electronic curriculum through their personal technology device.
Tools and Skills
I believe that instructional technology training be provided in multiple formats and environments. These environments should include one-on-one, small group, large group and also available on the web for anywhere-anytime learning. In addition to my exemplary presentation techniques, I possess expert skills in Learning Management Systems (Blackboard Learn, Moodle, My Big Campus, Edmodo and others), website creation (WordPress and many others), video production (Camtasia, Pinnacle and others), audio editing (Audacity, ProTools and others) and photography/graphics editing (Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro and others).
I also have working experience in the integration of Kaltura and other videos into an LMS, Qualtrics survey software, Web design incorporating ADA compliance principles using WordPress (and many other web authoring platforms), Echo 360 Personal Capture, iClickers and Video Express production.
An important aspect of creating instructional and training materials is that they are developed using proven instructional design principles (example: Gagne, Dick and Carey, Kemp, and others) that I have practiced since completing my M.S. and Ed.S. degrees in Instructional Systems Technology at Indiana University. In addition to my instructional design skills, I stay current by researching new guidelines in the integration of technology into curriculum. A recent resource I discovered is the New Media Consortium and Educause Horizon Report on trends and developments in instructional technology in higher education. I also follow the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL), the Blackboard Exemplary Course Program and the higher education rubrics from Quality Matters.
I have served as the primary provider and developer of teacher professional development opportunities throughout my career. This included the creation and delivery of classroom instructional software training materials that integrated Twenty-First Century Learning principles, documentation and training of website creation procedures, and the creation and delivery of staff PD for productivity software. I also am a certified coach/trainer in the LMS product My Big Campus and have extensive experience in Blackboard and Moodle.
Professional Development Projects
PowerTeacher Gradebook Overview: This is a video that I created for teachers at Stamford Public Schools to introduce a new electronic gradebook.
Website for Compass Learning by Odyssey:
Created to support the Compass Learning initiative for grades K-6 at Merrillville Schools. Also included in this site are resources for other software used at our school.
Includes 31 page Odyssey User Manual and links to external resources I created for my school.
Professional Development for One-to-One Initiative:
Summary of professional development activities presented by Kelly Murphy for the pilot of One-to-One computing (June 2013- May 2014) at Merrillville Schools. Includes month by month schedule of activities for the Professional Learning Community of one-to-one learning.
Certified Coach – My Big Campus
My Big Campus takes all the features of an LMS (like lessons, assignments, reporting, calendars) and puts them into a safe, collaborative community. With My Big Campus, students are engaged, educators are inspired, parents are involved, and IT is confident that everything’s safe.
As a My Big Campus certified coach, I provided training for both students and teachers at your school and also conducts workshops at requesting locations.
Professional Development for School Year 2013-2014:
Professional Development schedule for a typical school year. Includes PD on new electronic gradebook and classes offered during TechTuesdays
Offerings for TechTuesdays:
- Web Design
- My Big Campus
- Fast ForWord
- Twitter for Teachers
- Student Internet Safety
- Khan Academy
- Prezi
- Acuity
- Safari Montage
- e-Clickers in the classroom
- NBC Learn
- MS Office applications
- and classes on integration strategies for the classroom
“Unlocking the Secrets of Your iPad: A Beginners Guide to the Apple iPad”.
Main website created for class while instructor for Merrillville Adult and Continuing Education Department during Spring and Fall 2013.
Includes class syllabus, e-textbook, internet resources, information regarding iPad apps, and many video tutorials. Also covered were hands on instruction on the basic operating functions of the iPad.
Fast Forword Training and Reference Materials
The Scientific Learning family of proven reading intervention software products strengthens brain processing and literacy skills to increase reading proficiency in students of all ages. In addition to the creation and delivery of in person professional development for Fast Forword, I also created a resource on our website for our staff to gain a deeper understanding of the product and how to use it in the classroom.
New Teacher Orientation Week – Technology Days:
Every year I meet with all the new teachers at our schools for two days of training. We usually average about 30-40 new teachers every year. This is the opening presentation to introduce the new teachers to our technology. I show them new technologies, summarize the ITS department, and overall energize them for the upcoming year by sprinkling in some motivational humor. Note: This Prezi contains only the graphics and video clips. The slides in this presentation were introduced and narrated by me live in front of the audience.
Kickoff Presentation for One-to-One initiative:
This is the presentation given to approximately 50 teachers to summarize their responsibilities for our one-to-one initiative. These teachers were selected via their responses through an online survey asking their interest and how they would use devices in the classroom. Note: Once again, no narration, only the slides.
My Big Campus Overview:
This is the presentation created for our one-to one Professional Learning Community on the features of our Learning Management System: My Big Campus.
