Technology Staff Development
Quality staff development has been a key component of our technology program since the first Long-Range Technology Plan. Guilford County has developed an extensive staff development program that was recognized by the National School Board Association in their 1999 Plans & Policies for Technology in Education. It combines after-school and summer workshops with online opportunities. Workshops are offered throughout the year at the centrally located Technology Center and at individual school sites.
Courses are organized into three levels which address specific goals:
- Level 1: Introduction
- Level 2: Teaching and Learning
- Level 3: Synthesis
View and print a brochure which presents an overview of the GCS Technology Staff Development program.
Award of renewal credit depends on performance based outcomes. Participants must demonstrate mastery of skills learned by either passing an exit test or by creating a project or lesson plan that integrates the technology into their curriculum area.
Renewal credit may also be awarded for activities and courses taught by other organizations with prior approval.
Requirement for License Renewal
On March 14, 1996, the NC Board of Education endorsed a report from the School Technology Users Task Force and adopted the following recommendation into policy affecting all licensed employees:
"During each five year cycle for license renewal, all North Carolina educators shall focus a portion of their training opportunities (three to five renewal credits) on Task Force recommended technology competencies, relevant to their licensure area, as deemed appropriate by their local school system."
Comprehensive staff training mandated a dedicated training center. During the summer of 1995, Guilford County opened a centrally located Technology Center. It houses several computer labs for staff development, a QTL: Quality Teaching and Learning training lab, a QUEST training lab, a presentation room for group meetings, office space for the instructional technology staff and a NCIH broadcast site. The Technology Center is located at 425 Prescott Street in Greensboro.