Presented by:

Nancy Barba

Vicki Fegers

Mary Beth Johnson

Laurie Jones

Dawn SturdyApril 14, 2005

JOURNEY TO SUCCESS

A Roadmap of How One K-12 School District Implemented

Online Professional Development

Session Objectives Participants will examine how Broward County school district implemented the Blackboard Learning System based on the district’s Sterling model – Plan, Do, Study, Act.

Participants will gain an understanding of how to begin an online professional development program in their district.

Innovation: Why We Began the Journey

Broward County Public Schools, Florida has 272,691 students, 17,000 teachers, and 30,000 employees. We are the nation’s sixth largest fully accredited school district (251 schools).Our district needed a viable alternative to face-to-face professional development for teachers that would limit their time out of the classroom.

Before the Journey“Mapping Out the Trip”

A committee was formed and charged with researching learning management systems that could potentially meet the needs of Broward County.The district received a Goals 2000 grant that provided start-up funding.

Year 1: 2000 - 2001“Proceed With Caution”

2 full time designers, 2 system administrators (add on to current job), 1 tech guyCore group of designers trained, learned how to design courses (using Netscape Composer)Server was locally hosted

Training Designers

Train curriculum based personnel in technology use—

not the other way around

Year 1: 2000 - 2001“Proceed With Caution”

Five courses were piloted, course designers served as the first facilitators System administrators provided technical support for designersNo formal procedures in place

Finding Facilitators

Invite stand out participants to become future facilitators.

Policies and Procedures

Establish committee(s) to determinepolicies and procedures to ensure

consistency across all departments.

Year 2: 2001 - 2002“Bumpy Roads”

2 full-time designers, 2 system administrators (add on to current job), 1 tech guy

Paper registration forms, created database of participants and facilitators

Participants solicited via e-mail to principals

Advertising Courses

Plan for a systematic methodfor advertising your courses.

Year 2: 2001 - 2002“Bumpy Roads”

Course template designed to standardize course components

Course designers were trained in house

Additional facilitators were trained

Global database was created

Service Level Agreement continually evolved around our stakeholders’ needs

Recruiting Facilitators

Actively recruit people for yourfacilitator pool.

Year 2: 2001 - 2002“Bumpy Roads”

Packet for online course writers developedNeeds assessment conducted with curriculum department to identify future course needs, used grant money to pay for the writing of additional courses Course designers provided technical assistance to all participants & facilitators

Year 3: 2002 - 2003“Speeding Along”

4 full time designers (paid through Title II funds), 2 system administrators (add on to current job), 1 tech guy

Broward Virtual University website established so participants can “Browse Our Courses”

Customized courses were offered for schools and innovation zones

Course Information

Provide detailed, easy-to-accessinformation about your

online courses.

Year 3: 2002 - 2003“Speeding Along”

Courses were advertised via e-mail and post cards mailed to schoolsCourses continually being improved (e.g., updating information, adding video, adding student samples)Facilitators attended a 1-hour training meetingPaper registration and data base maintained by additional clerical staff

Set a Schedule

DON’T try to start courseswithout an established schedule. Set 6 - 7 start dates throughout

the year.

Growing Pains

Plan for growth in regards to registration system, clerical support

and system support.

Year 3: 2002 - 2003“Speeding Along”

Other school districts became interested in purchasing coursesContracted with third party to provide technical support for 10 designersComprehensive research of other learning management systems beganPlanning committee and design committee formed to develop policies and procedures

Year 4: 2003 - 2004“Traffic Jam”

4 full time designers (paid through Title II funds), 2 system administrators (add on to current job), 1 tech guyMigrated to Blackboard Learning System. Blackboard Learning System was selected based on its ease of use, multi-platform functionality, local university partners and client support infrastructure.

Online registration system created

Year 4: 2003 - 2004“Traffic Jam”

Yearly schedule card distributed to schools (public, private, charter)

Comprehensive facilitator training developed

Incentives for participants and facilitators

Comprehensive Training

Train your facilitators well and provide a consistent source of

information and support.

Year 4: 2003 - 2004“Traffic Jam”

Creation of collaboration conferences using district’s e-mail solutionDesigner Support Site created

Documentation, policies, and procedures, process flowcharts, links to resourcesAutomation of Course Request procedures

Year 5: 2004 - 2005“Open Highway”

4 full time designers (on Title II funds) 1 part-time designer, 2 system administrators (add on to current job), 1 tech guyExpansion of online course offerings: courses of study, administrator coursesReading endorsement courses brought online to help teachers meet NCLB highly qualified teacher requirements

Fulfilling Needs

Provide courses that satisfy state ornational teacher requirements.

Improvements to the registration system24/7/365 branded technical support for Broward County added for 500 users (includes facilitators and participants)

Year 5: 2004 - 2005“Open Highway”

Registration System

Create your registration system to include ALL possible data fields you might want to access down the road.

Technical Support Expansion

Recognize that as you grow, so mustyour technical support grow.

Future Steps“The Journey Continues”

Collaborate with other departments for data integration

Review new products and services to enhance the online experience

Review service level agreement as it continually evolves around our stakeholders needs

Innovating Together in ‘05“Pack Your Bags”

Find the money!!!!

Get the backing/support of your district (find a strong visionary leader)

Find the money!!!!

Innovating Together in ‘05“Pack Your Bags”

Hire and train the right people (curriculum background, system and user support)

Find the money!!!!

Resources Availablewww.sbbc-vu.comwww.broward.k12.fl.us/bcpsbboardwww.broward.k12.fl.us/bcpsbboard/buc (two BB User’s Conference presentations)

Follow-up ContactNancy Barba

nancy.barba@browardschools.com

If you only remember one thing

DoAct

Plan

Study

Well, really…..two things

The journey of a

thousand miles must begin

with a single step.

Chinese Proverb

Enjoy the Journey!!