IEEE Teacher In-Service Program -How to Begin

Yvonne Pelham, EAD Manager, Educational Outreach

2 September 2012Brisbane, Queensland Australia

How to Begin a TISP activity?

The IEEE Volunteer and TISP

IEEE Members are very generous with their time

IEEE Members are very willing to share their experiences

Educational Outreach events get enthusiastic volunteer support

Two types of TISP volunteers

TISP Champions - take responsibility to establish and maintain a TISP program in “their” school system

TISP Trainers - energetic supporters of the initiative, willing to interact with teachers and serve as “coaches” during TISP presentations

You need BOTH

TISP ChampionsTISP Champions take the leadership of organization, preparation, and logistics of the programChampion Roles:– Organizers– Recruiters– Presenters– Events Planner– Liaison with Section

Once energized, champions are self motivatedThe reward for the TISP Champion is immediate - they see their reward on the faces of the teachers (and sometimes students)

Growing Your TISP Champions

Focus on TISP Champions - the TISP lifeline

Invite/Recruit/Draft potential IEEE Champions to established events

Use TISP presentations to train future Champions

Use TISP presentations to cross-train the other TISP Champions

How to Develop Champions

Teaching Approach: See one, Do one, Teach one

Team Approach: Co-Champions support a school or school system, but responsibilities are spread among them

TISP Trainers

Relatively easy to recruit

Trainer Roles:– Supporters

– Coaches

– Kit Builders

– Develop in-service content

Very effective, with minimal training, Genuinely enjoy the experience

Their only responsibility is to "show up and do the work”

Recruiting Volunteers

Articles placed in Section and Student Branch newsletters

Announcements– At Section and Student Branch meetings– At Chapter meetings– At Section Executive Committee meetings

Informal contacts with fellow students

Try to adjust the role of a volunteer to his/her comfort level and time availability

Qualities Needed

Tactful communicator. Willing to play the role of classroom assistant.

New methods of teaching - with less telling and more doing.

Enjoy immediate gratification.

Sections must support the TISP Champions

TISP Champions are rare and precious

Encourage Section to Champion communication– Online forum and resources to share information

Encourage Champions to– share ideas– celebrate success– lament failures

Communicate. Communicate. Communicate

Build Relationships with School Districts, Principals and Teachers– Use the contacts that might already

exist between section members and the school system.

– Follow also the suggestions given in the IEEE on-line teacher in-service program training.

Where to Start at the District Level?

People who have district wide responsibility for staff development, science, technology and mathematics.

These positions could be directors, assistant superintendents, supervisors, coordinators, etc.

– District Science Education Coordinator

– District Technology Education Coordinator

– District Administrator (responsible for curriculum)

– District Mathematics Education Coordinator

– District Staff Development Coordinator

Where to Start at the School Level?

If you already are working with a teacher…

Be sure to coordinate your activities with the school principal.

– School Principal

– Deputy principal or curriculum coordinator

– Technology Education Coordinator

– Department Head for Science, Math, or Technology (middle or high school)

– Lead teacher or curriculum leader for mathematics or science (elementary school)

Plan Times and Places

Special Events– Teacher conferences– Meetings of teacher organizations

Places– University Campuses– Teacher conference venues

If you need funds for a special event you can almost always get it if you ask well ahead of time

Sample Presentation Outline

Introduction/Background (10 min)Objectives (5 mins)Connection to Educational Standards (10 mins)1 or 2 Group/Hands-on Activities– Presentation on concepts and learning objectives (30

mins)– Group work (45 mins)– Debrief and discuss applications (20 mins)

Summarization (10 mins)General Questions/Comments (10 mins)Distribute and collect 9-item questionnaireComplete District forms (if applicable)

Choose Relevant TopicsChoose topics of interest to members

Adjust topics to the needs of your school system

– Ask teachers, curriculum supervisors and curriculum specialists what topics are needed

– Tie to education standards

Emphasize “hands-on” activities

Be careful about costs to schools – under $100USD to replicate for a class.

We have Many Lesson Plans

If you cannot find what you want consider creating it!

Take advantage of the variety of lesson plans available on TryEngineering.org

Reviewed by engineers and teachers

Follow-up Activities/MetricsCount the number of educators who participated in your teacher in-service program

Be sure that teachers complete the 9 item questionnaire– EAD will tabulate the results

Follow-up with teachers to determine the level of implementation of the concepts and activities

Consider a sign in sheet to include an email address

Consider sending a follow-up postcard/e-mail to attendees