Professional Development Plan

Using Schoology to Develop Online Learning Centers

MEL 590: Professional Development Design
Gregory Miller
15 June 2015

Professional Development Goal

The goal of this professional development session is to enhance student learning by supporting
teachers in the development of online learning environments. Online learning centers are showing
great promise as a way to enhance student performance while creating a blend of teachers and
technology.

Rationale and Needs Assessment Information

Traditionally when a student used the online resources for learning they were limited to a
computer-based instruction. Heralded as a way to remove the teacher from the equation of learning, it
quickly became apparent this use of computers to enhance learning was not effective. Later studies
showed computer-based instruction can actually have a negative impact on learning. (DarlingHammond, Zielezinski, & Goldman, 2014)
The effective use of technology in the classroom is supported by the West Virginia Department of
Education. Through the Teach21 site the WVDE places an emphasis on the effective use of technology in
the classroom. (Teach21)
Research has show three common variables in the successful use of technology in the
classroom:

interactive learning

use of technology to explore and create rather than to drill and kill

the right blend of teachers and technology. (Darling-Hammond, Zielezinski, & Goldman,
2014)

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The school district also supports the enhanced use of technology. At the beginning of the 201415 school-year every freshman and sophomore at each of the three high schools received a tablet
personal computers to use for school related projects. The incoming freshman for the 2015-16 schoolyear will also receive tablet PCs. Teachers at each high school and attached CTE center will need support
for the use of tablets.
A survey of teachers at the end of the 2014-15 school-year showed the use of software and web
resources are limited:

26% strongly agreed they used a variety of technology in the classroom

19% strongly agreed they used a variety of software.

15% strongly agreed students used a variety of software in the classroom.

15% strongly agreed they used some form of online learning tool to collect data and
provide feedback to students.

85% of the teachers responded they would be willing to participate in professional learning on
the effective use of Schoology.com. This percentage was considerable higher than effective questioning
(56%), data analysis (67%) or a book study (48%).

Professional Development Objectives

Set up and develop a learning center for students by using Schoology.com.

o

Miller

The teacher will

Create an online learning center

Set up assignments and discussion boards

Assess and provide feedback on student assignments

Create online tests and quizzes

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Develop content on other online sites to enhance student learning

o

The teacher will

Utilize Socrative.com as a formative assessment tool.

Utilize Kahoot.com as a learning tool

Use planbook.com to develop online lesson plans

Delivery Strategy
Teachers will participate in one-half day training in the schools computer lab on how to set up
and use the basic functions of Schoology. The majority of teachers indicated in a survey they learned
best in a demonstration/hands-on type of professional learning environment. The teachers will be
introduced to Schoology and how it can be used to impact learning in their classrooms. They will create
a login and log into the site. They will set up two classes, and add a folder, assignment, and discussion
to the folder. They will learn how to transfer assignments from one class to another. They will also
learn how to join educator groups within Schoology to gain more information and support.
After the initial training the teachers will continue learning through the educator group in
Schoology and through three one hour follow up sessions throughout the school year to address specific
problems.

Educational Technologies and Materials

The teachers will view a brief PowerPoint presentation about online learning, Schoology, and
the potential impact it can have on learning. The teachers will need a personal and school email
address. They will utilize the Schoology.com website to learn how to develop their classes in Schoology.
The teachers will also be given video and written resources on Schoology.

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Instructional Procedures
Initial Three Hour Session

Hour 1 Introduction to Schoology. Teachers will use a personal email address to join a
prepared class on Schoology. The presenter will take them through the different parts
of the class from the students perspective including: folders, assignments, discussions,
and tests. The teachers will take a brief test. Then they will join Schoology as an
instructor, and join the schools educator group. In the educator group materials
explaining how to set up the different parts of Schoology.

Hour 2 The presenter will lead a discussion on the use of formative assessment tools in
Schoology. Teachers will learn how to set up assignments and discussions. Teachers
will work in pairs and discuss how these can be used in the classroom, and how the
feedback feature can be used. The groups will report out. The presenter will
demonstrate how to move materials from one class to another.

Hour 3 The presenter will lead a discussion on how to use the testing feature on
Schoology. Teachers will create a quiz using true/false, multiple choice, and short
answer questions. The teachers will discuss in groups of four the pros and cons of using
the testing feature, and report out.

Follow-up
Over the course of the school year, teachers will be able to post and comment on problems
through the educator group set up specifically for the school. The group will be moderated by the
presenters of the initial session. At the end of the second six week grading period, the teachers will
return for a one-hour follow-up session as a refresher. The topics of the refresher will be based on input
from the teachers through the educator group. Two more follow-up sessions can be planned if the
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teachers are still having difficulties or need refreshing on a particular topic. The presenters will continue
to monitor the educator group and answer individual questions about Schoology.
Evaluation of Session
The session will be immediately evaluated through the use of a survey conducted on
surveymonkey.com. Another survey will be conducted after the first follow-up session and at the end of
the year to check for implementation. The principal will also follow-up with teachers to determine if any
further sessions are needed.

Sources

Darling-Hammond, L., Zielezinski, M. B., & Goldman, S. (2014, September). Using Technololgy to Support
At-Risk Students' Learning. Retrieved October 10, 2014, from Stanford Center for Opportunity
Policy in Education: https://edpolicy.stanford.edu/sites/default/files/scope-pub-usingtechnology-report.pdf
In Search of an Easy-to-Implement, Scalable Learning Management System. (n.d.). Retrieved June 14,
2015, from Schoology: https://www.schoology.com/palo-alto-lms-case-study.php
LMHS Schoology Guide. (2013, August). Retrieved June 14, 2015, from Lake Mills High School:
http://www.lakemills.k12.wi.us/staff/techhelp/LMHSSchoologyGuide.pdf
Making 1:1 Learning a Reality and a Success. (n.d.). Retrieved June 14, 2015, from Schoology:
https://www.schoology.com/minnetonka-lms-case-study.php
Schoology Support. (n.d.). Retrieved June 14, 2015, from Schoology:
https://support.schoology.com/hc/en-us
Teach21. (n.d.). Retrieved June 14, 2015, from West Virginia Department of Education:
https://wvde.state.wv.us/teach21/
Using Technology to Keep Up with the Pace of Growth - and Student Demand. (n.d.). Retrieved June 13,
2015, from Schoology: https://www.schoology.com/olentangy-lms-case-study.php

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