Audience+&+Goals

=Audience & Goals=

Audience
The participants for this professional learning workshop will be the twelve sixth grade teachers at Carrollton Junior High School in Carrollton, Georgia. The informational resources provided by this training session have been designed to offer these teachers immediate instructional ideas for the 330 students within their grade level. All student activities will relate to sixth grade standards and will recommend various instructional methods that will meet the needs of a variety of learning styles. This professional development training will be mandatory for the sixth grade teachers and will be conducted during their common planning times over a period three months.

Goals
This learning initiative is built upon several related educational goals and projected outcomes. At the onset we hope to present a foundational basis for the importance and success of project based learning. The information we will impart will show solid research support and hopefully give the participants a clearer view of how PBL instructional units can improve student learning. The participants in this workshop will also receive several handouts which will include numerous teaching ideas, detail instructional procedures and student assessment rubrics. The overall goal for this teacher training is designed to improve instruction and to expand our educational knowledge. Since integrating technology is an ongoing emphasis from all educational levels, it is imperative that we make diligent effort to implement the National Educational Technology Standards into this session and more importantly, into our classrooms. Listed below are the ITSE standards for teachers that will be addressed in this workshop. NETS for Teachers: 1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter, teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that advance student learning, creativity, and innovation in both face-to-face and virtual environments. 2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments Teachers design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning experiences and assessments incorporating contemporary tools and resources to maximize content learning and to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes identified in the NETS•S. 3. Model Digital-Age Work and Learning Teachers exhibit knowledge, skills, and work processes representative of an innovative professional in a global and digital society. 5. Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership Teachers continuously improve their professional practice, model lifelong learning, and exhibit leadership in their school and professional community by promoting and demonstrating the effective use of digital tools and resources. During the implementation of the instructional units within in this workshop, CJHS students will be exposed to instructional activities which will address several Georgia Performance Standards and National Educational Technology Standards (NETS) for Students. Some of the standards which will be included in the lesson plans presented in this workshop are listed below. NETS for Students: 1. Creativity and Innovation Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology. 2. Communication and Collaboration Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others. 3. Research and Information Fluency Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information. 4. Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources. The specific Georgia Performance Standards which will be addressed within the PBL student activities will be listed in each of the instructional units within this proposal.

Timetable