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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 bennettd@wcschools.com RFP http://www.state.tn.us/education/acct-gear.htm. Gear Grant Overview. Vision
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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 bennettd@wcschools.com RFP http://www.state.tn.us/education/acct-gear.htm
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 Awarded @ $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 GrantSuccesses & Challenges Diane Bennett, Wilson County Cheri Grant, Hamilton County
Cheri Grant, Hamilton County • Successes • Trained facilitator in district • Classes fill within 24-48 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 37122 615-773-4547 bennettd@wcschools.com