Cohort-Based Professional Development for Blended Learning
Abstract: Teachers’ use of technology in the classroom is growing rapidly, and a transition is taking place where the focus is coming away from using specific tools and moving toward the implementation of blended learning. Schools are beginning to introduce digital platforms that enable teachers and students to work and learn together online; however, many teachers are not yet comfortable with this mode of learning or prepared to use the provided platforms. One small Midwestern school district is implementing Google for Educators throughout their district, and using cohort-based teacher-led professional development in order to prepare teachers to use Google Classroom and other tools in the suite. This presentation provides insight into the planning and progress of this professional development, examines the ongoing research entailed in this project, and discusses implications for practice and recommendations for similar professional development programs.