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MULTIMEDIA TEACHER TRAINING FOR COMMUNITY BUILDING
Phone: (785) 749-1473
Email: SVERNON2@ALLTEL.NET
Phone: (785) 749-1473
Email: EDGE@MIDUSA.NET
DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The purpose of this Phase I project is to
produce and pilot test the feasibility of learner-managed
professional-development packages for teachers to use to learn how to create
safe, supportive learning communities in their classrooms to enable students to
learn the necessary social and cognitive skills to maintain those communities.
The training materials will be based on the first program in the Community
Building Series, Talking Together and will include videotape, an interactive
multimedia (IM) CD Program, and accompanying written materials. The
videotape and IM packages will feature Talking Together,
instruction by experienced teachers, students using the skills in class, hints
for adapting instruction, troubleshooting tips, and testimonials. The packages
will be pilot tested by local teachers. Video and IM Group teachers will
receive a package including the manual and either the videotape IM Program and
written guides for using the videotape or IM Program, and they will implement
the Talking Together instruction. Manual group teachers will receive only the
instructor's manual before implementing the instruction. Teachers in the three
groups will be tested and observed, and student knowledge and performance will
be measured. A community panel will preview the videotape and IM Program and
make suggestions, and a computer expert will preview the IM Program and provide
feedback. Primary teacher measures will include teacher knowledge of the
program, teacher implementation of lessons, and quality of the instruction. A
multivariate approach with multiple measures on the same subjects will be used.
A pretest-posttest comparison-group design will be used to determine the
secondary effects of the teachers' use of the professional-development packages
on student knowledge of key concepts related to building a learning community
as well ass student performance of skills taught in the program. Social
validity of the program will also be assessed.
PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATION:
This project will result in inexpensive, effective multimedia professional development materials to enable teachers to teach the skills necessary for students to create and maintain safe, supportive learning communities. The products (including written materials, instructor's manual, videotape, and CD ROM for approximately $40) that will result from this project will be commercially published and distributed by Edge Enterprises and marketed to teachers, administrators, and others nationally. This type of professional development package is not currently available and is particularly needed by isolated teachers, preservice teachers, and inexperienced teachers interested in creating a culturally sensitive, comfortable, and productive learning environment for all students.
* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *