Ensuring Quality in Technology-Focused Professional Development

Few would argue that teachers exposed to technology focused professional development are better prepared to effectively and systematically integrate computers, peripherals and software into their classrooms than those without any formal training. However, one must necessarily assume that quality matters … that teachers participating in high-quality professional development are more likely than those engaged in token or perfunctory training to use technology well (for instructional preparation, delivery and assessment); to be cognizant of technology’s advantages and limitations; and to situation ally model both hardware and software (Hirsh & Sparks, 2000).