So much to do, and so little time to do it! There must be an easier way to get the things a busy classroom teacher needs, without scheduling another Professional Development after school, or losing another day of instruction.

Actually, there is another way to handle the training issue and the constant upgrading of skills and standards. That is to let you set your own schedule. When things get done is left up to you. Come to think of it, getting the things you need is also your decision. All that is needed is an Access Point.

Well, here it is! The links provided on Tacher Tech Access Point will get you the training and resources you need to accomplish your professional goals. Schedule them based on your needs and time. Just recognize that these are important factors in making you a successful and effective classroom teacher.

Each link will be preceded by a brief description of its content. You decide, by browsing, which presentation will get the results you desire. Check out the Index below to find that thing that's just right for you. If you don't see what you want, e-mail ( renkwitza@dcpsmd.org) me and tell me what you're after. I'll e-mail you back the link. Enjoy!

 

Site Name and Location	Description
Preparing Tomorrow's Teachers to Use Technology - MSDE	The Maryland State Department of Education in consortium with two and four year colleges and local school systems, has been granted a three year catalyst grant from the U.S. Department of Education ,Preparing Tomorrow's Teachers to Use Technology. The goals of the grant are: 1. Teacher Education Programs will align curriculum and field experiences with Maryland Teacher Technology Standards. 2. The consortium will develop performance standards and assessments to measure outcomes. 3. Candidate portfolios will incorporate performance assessments and be made available electronically.
Theory of Change for Principals and Teachers	It is important "to examine change efforts in terms of their theories of education, i.e., what pedagogical assumptions and associated components are essential to the model, and their theories of change or action, i.e., what strategies are formed to guide and support implementation". Though all of this reeks of pedagese, there is something to be learned here.
Free Microsoft Office Training and Tutorial Resources	As advertised, here is an extensive list of free online tutorials that will teach you all you want to know about using Microsoft Office. From PowerPoint to Word, it's all here. Set yourself up with a cup of coffee and off you go!
Tutorialized-Where Everything is a Tutorial	Here are tutorials covering the waterfront on just about every major piece of software that an educator would use. Take a look at the choices and decide what you would like to learn.
Teaching Hacks	Check out the site of long time educator Quentin D'Souza. An early user of technology for instruction, Mr. D'Souza is an innovative teacher with a wealth of ideas, and resources, for you.
Del.icio.us	The social bookmarking site where you can post your favorite sites, search and find sites that are being used by other folks. Bookmark things for yourself and your students.
Edutopia	Information and Inspiration for teaching in K-12 schools. The portal for Project Based Learning.
Connected University	Connected University's Technology Integration Department is recognized as the most comprehensive catalog of online professional development resources specifically designed to help K-12 educators integrate technology into their classrooms. Educators can choose among courses that range from technology basics to advanced topics. Resources include software tutorials, how-to-tips, and dozens of guide-led and self-paced courses. Many courses are available for graduate credit and Continuing Education Units (CEUs).