Five on Five: A Dialogue on Profession Development

In the old days, professional development didn't extend any further than the workshops teachers would attend to learn new applications. After the workshop, the teachers were on their own once they returned to school and had to figure out how to use their new tools. Today, things are different as technologies are too complex and the need to integrate them into the classroom is too urgent to leave teachers unsupported. In this article, the author presents a panel discussion with five educators that talked about the effort school systems are making to help teachers with their technology needs, and what more needs to be done. These educators include: Kristine Hokanson, technology integrator and Classrooms for the Future coach at Upper Merion Area High School in Montgomery County; Jim Gates, instructional technology trainer for the Capital Area Intermediate Unit 21; Bob Keegan and Cathy Groller, executive director and assistant executive director, respectively, for Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit; and Sylvia Martinez, president of Generation YES (Youth and Educators Succeeding), a provider of student-centered technology programs.