6). Furthermore, administrators are assuming more and more responsibility for implementing standards-based curricula and instruction in the nation's public schools (Stotsky, 2000)
One way to address this situation is to make the content of teacher training more accessible (Killion, 2000). The online delivery of teacher training and inservice type materials can help with meeting the demands of both disseminating quality materials and offering the flexibility that allows for greater faculty and staff participation (Blair, 2001)
Limitations This study will be evaluating Roanoke County educators and their perceptions of online delivery of staff development using the Blackboard system and therefore may not be applicable to other areas or online delivery systems. Implications for Improvement of Practice The importance of staff development is greater now than ever before as a vehicle for change in the reform, restructuring, and transformation of schools (Guskey, 2000)
Need to talk about these NSDC standards, what are they and how do they apply here?) The term online can refer to a wide range of methodologies and technologies. The most prominent of these methods is using the Internet or an Intranet to deliver content (Killion, 2000)
The online delivery of teacher training and inservice type materials can help with meeting the demands of both disseminating quality materials and offering the flexibility that allows for greater faculty and staff participation (Blair, 2001). Other benefits of delivering teacher training materials in an online forum can include empowering teachers to take risks, providing a forum for dialogue and the feeling of being a part of a larger network of learners (Spicer, 2002)
The broader our awareness beyond our content areas, the more we can relate to the diversity of students sitting in our classrooms, and the diversity of our teaching tasks" (Reed). Another situation encountered by teachers is "that to focus on the art of teaching is perceived as anti-intellectual" (Cuban)
She believes that, "teaching is about loving questions and moving kids to search for answers in science, literature, and other subjects. A great teacher gets excited about these unanswered questions and becomes an example of quest and curiosity" (Oringel)
However, distinguishing between them is not an absolute. How does a novice teacher learn to segregate the art and science of teaching into two separate entities? Donna Qualters says that "one must explore the science of the field before one can practice the art" (Qualters)
S) He must also be aware of cultural and significant environmental shift affecting the local student population. The broader our awareness beyond our content areas, the more we can relate to the diversity of students sitting in our classrooms, and the diversity of our teaching tasks" (Reed)
Bencivenga (1995) states that a learning organization is developing shared vision, challenging assumptions, and devising a system for new ideas. The Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (Garvin, 1993) sums up a learning organization as a process in which every employee is dedicated to constant learning, learning that advances the individual career as well as the organization's business goals
Also, the need has never been greater for teaching staff to remain current with the needs of their students and the changing models of successful education. In many cases, the increasing demand on education exceeds the funding allocated to education (Darbyshire, 2000, p
If they do not, the relative simplicity of the tools used to access the Web keeps the effort involved to a minimum. The popularity of the Internet also means that once a student or teacher knows how to use the Web, that knowledge can be of use in other facets of life apart from education (French, 1999, p
However, many existing approaches suffer from problems that can adversely influence these goals. New approaches, Web-based and not, offer characteristics that make it possible to more easily facilitate these ideas (Herring, 1999, 12)
Lawsuits have been filed by students unhappy with the value of education received. As a result, many students want more feedback, more attention, and more resources to help (Margolis, 2000, p
Information can be corrected, or new and pertinent information can be added. Information can be changed in response to students' requirements or comments, or a change in the material being taught (McCormack & Jones, 1998, p
There is no longer any need for a PTD instructor and county wide staff to synchronize their schedules and meet in the same place at the same time. When participation in the learning experience occurs at a time convenient to both the students and the educator, there are a range of advantages (Rea, White, McHaney, Sanchez, 2000, p 150)
Organizational commitment (OC) has been described as consisting of three constructs: Affective, Continuance or cost based, Normative, or moral based. (Allen & Meyer, 1990)
Organizational commitment (OC) has been described as consisting of three constructs: Affective, Continuance or cost based, Normative, or moral based. (Allen & Meyer, 1990)
Job satisfaction has been recognized as only a component of organizational commitment. It is suggested that job satisfaction is a state of pleasure gained from applying one's values to a job (Locke, 1969)
An employee becomes emotionally attached the organization and perceives a congruence between his or her goals and those of the organization. (Mowday et