Introduction to United Streaming

With only eight weeks to go, I'm finding that teachers have little time to learn something new. But it wasn't until January that we got our new lab with voucher grant money that requires us to make use of some of our new tools (like the subscription to DiscoveryEducation) and report on it by end of the year. Maybe some of you will be interested to hear how we're encouraging and motivating teachers to try DiscoveryEducation (and integrating technology) two weeks before testing!

I met with department heads and the instructional reform facilitator (IRF) to plan. We all agreed that teachers just need time to collaborate and work on their curriculum. Teachers have already had an introduction in a previous staff meeting.

We developed a worksheet to be used in department meetings in the computer lab. Grade level teams will collaborate to plan one lesson using DiscoveryEducation. They will report on their planning, schedule lab time or time for other resources and walk out of our 50 min. meeting with a plan for using DiscoveryEducation. The IRF and I will have a record of their plans and follow up on any needed support.

Sounds simple. But I find that teachers are much happier when you give them time to get their work done, rather than delivering a generic how-to. In small department meetings, the IRF and I will be able to answer questions about the tools while they feel like they're being given free time in the meeting. I'll happily share the worksheet if you send me an email. hendrixc@sfusd.edu