summerweek2

=Week 2=

Topic 1 -- Professional Development (10 points)
Professional Development is probably the one key factor in how well or how poorly technology will be implemented and used. There are many ways that professional development can happen, especially today. PD can now take place in an asynchronous manner (like this course), in a face to face setting, in a synchronous virtual environment, conferences, courses, or even self-paced through linear training modules.

In my experiences with offering many Professional Development Opportunities there are a few things that I see as common indicators of successful PD:
 * **Time** - it is offered at a time in which the participants can think of little else other than the tasks at hand.
 * **Relevance** - the skills or applications being taught have some clear relevance to what the trainee does..for example...don't just teach me digital photography, show me how it can make what I am doing in my math class more meaningful, relevant, or help the kids 'get it'
 * **Practice** - there is some type of support or larger infrastructure in place that will allow the skills be be practiced or implemented
 * **Follow-up** - there is some type of follow up activities that make the PD ongoing, not just a 'flash in the pan'

[[image:assignment.jpg align="left"]]Reading & Discussion - 10 Points
Please Read the following two articles:
 * [[file:TeacherPreparation.pdf]]
 * [[file:Teacher Learning That Supports Student Learning Teacher Learning.pdf]]

After reading the articles, please use the "Staff Development " discussion thread to discuss the following questions:
 * What staff development models are in place at your place of work?
 * What types of PD models have worked best for you in your profession?
 * What alternative methods of PD do you see in the future?

This discussion will be worth 10 points and should be checked on a daily basis. Postings should be made no later than Monday, June 2 at noon.* Your contributions would show that you have a) read, b) researched and c) reflected on this week?s learning activity and discussion.

Research & Discussion - 10 Points
This week you will choose a piece of hardware or software you would use in your classroom and research it critically, but informally. Examples include, but not limited to:
 * Hardware**
 * Digital Cameras
 * Digital Video Cameras
 * Desktop Computers
 * Laptop Computers
 * Handheld Computers
 * Cell Phones
 * Printers
 * Scanners
 * Servers
 * Monitors
 * LCD Projectors
 * Assistive Technology
 * Software**
 * Anti-Virus/Security
 * Productivity (word processing, spreadsheet, database)
 * Concept Mapping
 * Web Development
 * Student Management
 * Electronic Grade books
 * Digital Video Editing (iMovie, Final Cut, Pinnacle, Avid, etc.)
 * Photo Editing (Photoshop, Fireworks, etc.)
 * Curriculum Software
 * Research the piece of hardware and find a minimum of three comparable products. The web sites below should help you in finding comparable products:**
 * http://reviews-zdnet.com.com/
 * http://reviews.cnet.com/
 * http://www.techlearning.com/resources/product_guide.jhtml
 * http://www.consumerreports.org/main/home.jsp

How would you rank these items from most to least important when reviewing hardware/software? Some say that it is better to pay more up-front to avoid troubleshooting headaches in the future. Others say it is more cost effective to purchase on lowest price as some products are becoming so inexpensive they are 'throw-aways.' Some may even think that a vendor has no factor in purchasing. What are your feelings?
 * To prepare for your written reviews, a discussion topic will be posted titled "Hardware/Software Considerations". Part of this week's assignment will require you to reflect on the following 2 questions in the aforementioned discussion topic:**
 * 1) Price
 * 2) Service
 * 3) Brand Name
 * 4) Vendor
 * 5) Ease of Use
 * 6) Warranty
 * 7) Specifications

Written Review - 40 Points
This week you will also gather the information you researched and write a review of the type of hardware or software you have chosen (digital cameras seems to be a very popular choice this semester).

This week you will write a two page review of your piece of hardware. Your review should follow the structure below:


 * Section 1- SITUATION**

Many of you were very observant in regards to ordering your priorities when purchasing a new piece of hardware or software. Need or application, or use will greatly determine how you rate a product. Section one should explain, in a paragraph, how you will use the product. This may include, but is not limited to, audience, number of users, extent of use, what features your situation requires, etc.


 * Section 2- COMPARISON CHART**

A comparison chart that compares the detailed specifications of your products (see example below)


 * If you are reviewing software you will need to choose two titles to review (i.e. Adobe Photoshop and Macromedia Fireworks). If you choose to review a piece of hardware you will need to choose 3 comparable items (see digital camera example in the chart below).**
 * Digital Camera || Price || Vendor || Zoom || Megapixels || Batteries || Warranty ||
 * Sony Cybershop D-930 || $300 || CDWG || 8x optical || 8.0 || NiMH || 1 year ||
 * Fuji Finepix S7000 || $275 || Best Buy || 6x optical || 7.6 || NiMH || 90 day ||

Section 3- RATIONALE

Last week you posted general statements about how you would rank the following seven characteristics


 * Price
 * Service
 * Brand Name
 * Vendor
 * Ease of Use
 * Warranty
 * Specifications

Section 3 of your review will be the bulk of the review. This is where you explain how each of these seven items factored into narrowing your products down to a final choice.


 * Section 4- FINAL RECOMMENDATION**

Section 4 is where you will make a final recommendation. Explain which product you decided would be the best purchase for your needs, and what features set this product above the others you reviewed.

You can download the rubric this assignment will be graded on below: [| Review Rubric.pdf]


 * DUE DATE: Written review submitted to Submit Assignments Page by noon on Friday, June 6.**