Tennessee EdTech GEAR Grants Generating Equal Access to Remote Areas in Tennessee Diane Bennett, Technology Coach (with credit to Jerry Bates) Mt. Juliet High School, Mt. Juliet, TN RFP

Gear Grant Overview Vision Build local capacity for online PD especially in remote areas of TN Use online PD to promote teacher effectiveness in using technology for instruction Strategies: Award scholarships to nominees of poverty districts Develop a cadre of OPD specialists Provide high-quality online workshops Encourage partnerships with high poverty districts

GEAR Grant Plan A Tennessee team completed a pilot program funded by SREB (Jan – Aug, 2002) 14 Scholarships $2,500 with Title IID 2002 Funds –Each district could nominate one individual as a GEAR Scholar –Two GEAR scholar grants awarded to each of the six regional districts in the state plus two “at-large”. –GEAR Scholar took 12-week facilitator course and had one year to facilitate two additional courses –Other TN participants encouraged to enroll as space available GEAR Scholars conducted panel discussion at state conference Facilitators continue to add ETLO workshops to local professional development needs

GEAR Grant Successes & Challenges Cheri Grant, Hamilton County Diane Bennett, Wilson County

Cheri Grant, Hamilton County Successes –Trained facilitator in district –Classes fill within hours –Will have provided 11 courses by 6/05 –Administrative involvement and support –Online courses impacts integration support and activities –Opens up communication between stakeholders –Encouraged idea for course using PDA’s in classroom –Provided Exceptional Ed supervisor to integrate technology –Tracking participation in 80 schools with goal of reaching each –Hold 5 seats for educators outside immediate district Challenges

Diane Bennett, Wilson County Successes –Piloted program for State of TN –Administrative buy-in –Training tied to implementation –Networking outside of district –Peaked interest in content supported by technology –Involving online PD in upcoming ORBIT grant initiative Challenges –Time spent usually more than advertised –Encouraging responses to be targeted to peak performance –Timing of course introduction and completions to not coincide with peak times in teachers and administrators busy schedule

Tennessee Ready for ORBIT !! Orchestrating Regional Bases IntegratingTechnology –Online PD breaking distance barriers again –9 regional PD pockets of excellence in TN –Sharing successful PD experiences with different approaches –Encouraging teachers to network online

Tennessee Wants to Share Contact: Diane Bennett, Technology Coach Mt. Juliet Senior High School 3565 N. Mt. Juliet Road Mt. Juliet, TN