TETT Project
teachers Empowering Teachers Through Technology
The TETT project has been running since 2015 is based on research that for technology to be fully integrated into classroom practice, teachers need both professional development on change in pedagogy, and hands on support in learning how different technology tools work. Our goal in SD46 is to support technology integration in the classroom and to enhance and improve student learning & achievement. With technology from the district and release time to teach with colleagues, teacher leaders in each school are strengthening student learning.
An example of this would be to teach a colleague and their class how to use iMovie, Book Creator, Explain Everything, and other software to improve student engagement and accessibility to the curriculum. Leading by example, this teacher will demonstrate both a willingness to explore technology tools and to support their colleagues’ learning.
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Margaret Cooper, WSES, “Every staff meeting I share some technology highlight and I have gone into classrooms to teach creation apps with teachers who would have been too nervous to do it on their own”
At SD46, we have a Technology Coordinator Sandy Magnussen, who provides in-service, training, and support to schools. The coordinator gives direct support to a group of teachers to support technology integration in the classroom and to enhance and improve student learning & achievement. The coordinator provides professional development in both the research and in the hands-on learning of the technology applications on our mobile devices.
Silvia Bisbee, RCES, “I have been in to teach with four teachers and have had them do the lesson and I provide the technology support. I helped one save and move her Book Creator books; those little details are often the stumbling blocks.”
Technology coordinator Sandra Magnussen spoke to the board on Nov. 9 about the Teachers Empowering Teachers through Technology (TETT) program.
Magnussen said that with the new requirement for more technology in the classroom, some teachers need hands-on support, which is why TETT was created this year.
“The TETT project came from looking at research on technology and looking at how teachers are struggling with the changes so quickly and how can we bridge that to make it better for them and obviously better for our students,” Magnussen said.
Through her research she has found what supports technology integration into schools best is: support at the district level, giving teachers professional development opportunities and having leadership at the school level from principals and teacher leaders.
TETT seeks to create teacher leaders, comfortable with using technology in various schools, to pass on their knowledge and enthusiasm.
Magnussen said the hands-on help from peers has been “making the difference.”
There are nine elementary schools and 12 teachers currently involved in the TETT project.
In the future Magnussen said she would like to extend the TETT program into the high schools so more teachers and students can benefit.
SUCCESS is more likely when we FOCUS on pedagogical goals and specific teaching practices, have time to FIDDLE with innovations, and learn in hands on opportunity with FRIENDS and colleagues.
