Week+4+-+Professional+Development+and+Cooperative+Learning

**PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT[[image:businesshandinmiddle-629x945.jpg width="175" height="120" align="right"]]**
I have attended many conferences and learned about multiple learning techniques, tools, programs and so forth. To say that I have used them consistently, I regretfully have to say no. I once attended a conference in which offered hands-on learning. Although it was not new, believe me when I say, this technique was far more understanding and useful than having to hear a lecture on how wonderful their product or tool is.

One purpose of professional development is to expose educators to new methods in teaching. Today, changes are occurring constantly in the education system. Technology is in the forefront of these changes due to the fact that it is being utilized world-wide in every profession imaginable. For educators it offers a means to help enhance communication, teaching and learning. Administrators take an important role in communicating and practicing the use of technology. They also help in encouraging participation, enthusiasm and support. Teachers are like consumers, they need to believe in a product in order to buy into the idea. Some will buy; others will pass up on a great deal unbeknownst to them that they are being left behind. The practice of learning is crucial and more importantly beneficial in so many ways. This is why technology literacy training is significant for all involved in education.

**COOPERATIVE LEARNING**
Do the words “student-centered learning” mean anything? They should. Cooperative learning places emphasis on student interaction to enhance their learning. Group work engages the student in gaining new knowledge by interacting (connecting) with other students.

Technology falls perfectly into this area in which student centered learning is student created. There are a multitude of resources for the both students and teachers to use in the classroom

Click on the following links below: [] Animoto provides an array of tools for creating videos in your classroom. Cinematic effects, remix video and music, edit images, include text and share/download. [] Glogster is a fun, imaginative, and powerful learning experience which fosters independent creative self expression, positive learner-teacher relationships, and teamwork on collaborative class projects. [] A program that allows you and your students to generate surveys, collect data, and analyze results.