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Developing Effective Science Teachers Using a Blended Professional Learning ModelDr. Dottie Whitlow, Executive Director

Mathematics and Science Atlanta Public Schools

This document has been made possible by funding from GE, in partnership with Atlanta Public Schools, the Georgia Institute of Technology, and the National Science Teachers Association. Permission to copy for educational purposes is granted and no portion may be reproduced for sale or profit.

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Collaborators• Dr. Dottie Whitlow, Executive Director, Mathematics

and Science Department, Atlanta Public Schools• Dr. Donna Whiting, Academic Professional, The

Georgia Tech Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics and Computing (CEISMC)

• Ms. Neva Rose, Program Director, The Georgia Tech Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics and Computing (CEISMC)

• Dr. Alfred Porter, Program Manager, Mathematics and Science Department, Atlanta Public Schools

• Mr. Flavio Mendez, Senior Director, The NSTA Learning Center, National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)

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Project Goal To increase science teachers’ content and

pedagogical knowledge through the use of online and face-to-face professional learning experiences.

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APS Effective TeachersPERFORMANCE DIMENSION #1

The Teacher Effectively Demonstrates Content Knowledge, Clarity Of Presentation And The Regular Use Of Strategies To Maintain High Rates Of Student Engagement For All Students Best Practice 1: The Teacher Who Exceeds

Expectations Consistently Demonstrates Sufficient Knowledge Of The Subject Matter

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APS Effective TeachersPERFORMANCE DIMENSION #5

The Teacher Engages In Professional Development Activities And Uses What Is Learned In The Context Of The Classroom Best Practice 2: The Teacher Who Exceeds

Expectations Is One Who Participates In All Relevant Professional Development Activities, Uses What Is Learned, And Communicates Regularly With Colleagues Regarding Instructional Issues

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The Model

District-focused

Professional Learning

NSTA Learning Center

BLENDED

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With over 5,400 resources and practical tools to help organize, personalize, and document PD growth over time.

http://learningcenter.nsta.org

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NSTAJournal

ArticlesTeacherPD Indexer

5,400+ Professional Development Resources and Opportunities

University Online Affiliates

NSTAe-Books and online Chapters

NSTA Symposia& PD Institutes

Regional/State Face-to-Face PD

connector

reminde

r

NSTASciGuides

document

NSTACertificate

My PD Plan & Portfolio

MyTranscript

MyLibrary

MyNotepad

MyCalendar

NSTA SciPacks and Science Objects

SearchEngine

OnlineFilters

connector

connec

to

rNSTA Web Seminars

NSTA Online Short Courses

School Report

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Outcomes641 teachers participated in online and face –

to-face components 548 Elementary (grades 3-5) 93 Middle (grades 6-8) *High School (formal start date 10/12/2010)

4122 resources were added to the teachers’ personal libraries including science objects, e-book chapters, and journal articles

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SciPack DataSRT Pre-Test Post-Test Final

Assessment

1 48% 66% 75%

2 51% 61% 73%

3 46% 61% 67%

4 44% 80% 88%

Total 47% 67% 76%