FAQ - PD4ETS

Find answers to frequently asked questions.   See also eMINTS National Center FAQ   Contact the eMINTS National Center at emints-info@emints.org or (573) 884-7202

FAQ - PD4ETS

1. Q. What is the purpose of the eMINTS Professional Development program for Educational Technology Specialists (PD4ETS)?
   A. Current evaluation results indicate that the introduction of eMINTS classrooms into a school or district has the power to change the teaching and learning environment of the school or district and to improve student performance. The eMINTS Professional Development program for Educational Technology Specialists (PD4ETS) is part of a strategy to expand the eMINTS program to more classrooms throughout the state of Missouri, nationally and internationally. This portion of the eMINTS program will help empower schools and districts to effectively implement the eMINTS Instructional Model.
   
   PD4ETS can provide a range of solutions, from a full replication of the eMINTS program to a tailored use of the program to facilitate compatible educational goals. PD4ETS offers high-quality professional development in a train-the-trainer model.
   
   Educational organizations that desire to combine technology and inquiry-based teaching in order to achieve improved performance for all learners will find PD4ETS an important component in their overall program development. Successful completion of the PD4ETS training may lead to certification as an eMINTS Technology Specialist (ETS).
   
   Certified ETS have access to the eMINTS professional-development materials and modules, strategies and support. The ETS will have everything necessary to help teachers achieve proficiency in the eMINTS Instructional Model as they implement it in their classrooms. Certified eMINTS Instructional Specialists can be critical catalysts in the formation and sustenance of professional learning communities in schools and districts.
   
   PD4ETS aims to provide professional educators with essential support systems and a collaborative group of colleagues. PD4ETS participants gain the knowledge and skills necessary for implementing the eMINTS Instructional Model and high-quality professional development in their own educational settings.
   The PD4ETS program will be offered pending the eMINTS National Center’s final budget sufficiency each fiscal year and an adequate number of participants to form cohort groups.
   
   
2. Q. What are the goals of the eMINTS PD4ETS program?
   A. Participants will understand methods of incorporating constructivist principles into the classroom: inquiry-based learning, collaborative learning and cooperative learning. They will develop strategies for assisting classroom teachers in integrating these methods into a technology-rich classroom.
   
   Participants will be able to demonstrate a deep understanding of the eMINTS Instructional Model (Inquiry-based Learning, High Quality Lesson Design, Community of Learners and Powered by Technology) and transfer this, to their groups of teachers, through classroom visits and training sessions.
   
   • Participants will be able to communicate the purpose for conducting classroom visits to support teachers’ transfer of learning.
   • Participants will understand the elements of effective classroom visit activities such as modeling instruction, lesson planning cycle, technology assistance, reflective practice, problem solving and program implementation.
   • Participants will become skilled at various support functions including collaboration, consultation and coaching.
   • Participants will become active members of relevant learning communities. They will collaborate with others to share, gain ideas and enhance skills.
   • Participants will become skilled at finding and using a variety of online resources that support technology integration with constructivist principles.
   • Participants will become competent in planning and implementing effective eMINTS Professional Development sessions.
   • Participants will demonstrate responsibility in complying with eMINTS National Center policies.
     
     
3. Q. What is the eMINTS Instructional Model?
   A. There are four major components in the eMINTS Instructional Model. These four components are wrapped in ongoing evaluation and are designed to work together to create better learning outcomes for teachers and students.
   
   
1. Inquiry-based Learning - One foundational piece of the eMINTS instructional model is using inquiry, constructivist approaches, using ways that cause students to ask and think about very deep questions.
2. High-quality Lesson Design - eMINTS believes that the best teaching and learning take place in classrooms where teachers have the opportunity to create the kinds of lessons that deeply engage students in meaningful content and meaningful inquiry.
3. Classroom Community - Fundamental to eMINTS practice is the community of learners – not only within the classroom, but also among teachers and among trainers, as well as showing students how continuous life-long learning takes place in a community. eMINTS helps teachers and other participants learn the importance of building a community of learners where learners share, take risks, respect and push each other as they find their own best ways to learn and engage in deep content with one another.
4. Powered by Technology - eMINTS integrates technology with inquiry-based learning and high-quality lessons to bring about true learning. Technology adds excitement and motivation for students and teachers to use web and web 2.0 tools to bring learning into classroom and help expand learning beyond the classroom walls.
5. Ongoing Evaluation - Evaluation is woven throughout all the elements of the eMINTS instructional model. eMINTS helps teachers learn about all types of assessment and evaluation for themselves and their students. We pay attention to outcomes and results of eMINTS implementations – in individual classrooms and across the entire eMINTS national program. Critical to the eMINTS instructional model, continuous assessment drives instruction and creates better outcomes for teachers and students.
   
   
4. Q. Who is eligible to apply for the eMINTS PD4ETS program? Where will the program be offered?
   A. The program is available to any school or district interested in implementing the eMINTS Instructional Model in their particular setting. Other educational organizations and entities interested in applying for program participation should contact the eMINTS National Center office.
   
   The location(s) of the PD4ETS program will be determined by the number of applicants accepted into the program and their residency. Cohort groups of not less than 5, participants will be formed based on the geographic locations of participants.
   
   
5. Q. Who selects PD4ETS participants? What qualifications should a PD4ETS participant have?
   A. Selection of PD4ETS participants is under the purview of the school, district or educational organization that employs them. It is not required that PD4ETS participants complete any other eMINTS Professional Development programs prior to acceptance into the PD4ETS program.
   
   Applicant schools or districts with established eMINTS programs will be highly discouraged from nominating PD4ETS participants who are Year 1 or Year 2 eMINTS training. It is not advisable for eMINTS teachers currently in training to attempt the PD4ETS training.
   
   Schools, districts and educational organizations should strongly consider requiring the following qualifications for PD4ETS participants:
• A Bachelor’s degree in education plus a minimum of one year successful teaching experience.
• Current teacher certification.
• Experience with multimedia instructional technologies (including SMART Board. computer, printer, scanner, digital camera).
• Knowledge of inquiry-based and cooperative learning methodologies.
• Strong interpersonal relationship skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience presenting professional development activities and working with adult learners.
• Self-starter, self-motivated.
• A strong commitment to the organization/district
  
  
6. Q. Is it possible for an individual to apply for PD4ETS on his/her own without school or district approval or involvement?
   A. A goal of eMINTS National Center program is the development of a professional learning community within a school leading to school-wide renewal and improvement. Development of a professional learning community within a school requires the involvement, approval and buy-in of a critical mass of the teaching staff and significant administrative support. The participation of isolated individuals in PD4ETS is counter-productive to this goal.
   
   
7. Q. What is the cost for participating in the eMINTS Professional Development program for educational technology specialists?
   A. Find program cost information ....
   Find current equipment information ....
   
   
8. Q. How many specialists can apply for PD4ETS from one organization?
   A. Cohort group size is limited to a minimum of 5 participants per group and a maximum of 15 participants per group. Organizations may apply for one or more slots in the cohort group. Organizations with more than 15 potential participants should contact the eMINTS National Center for special arrangements.
   
   
9. Q. How many sessions does the program include and when will they be held?
   A. During Year 1 sixteen (16) days, each approximately 6 hours in length, are held during the school day or evening. See schedule ...
   
   
   • 1 day -  Orientation session is held in the summer
   • 9 days -  Professional Development sessions at cohort location
   • 1 day - eMINTS Winter Conference in Columbia
   • 2  days - Cognitive Coaching Seminars at designated locations
   • 1 day - eMINTS Classroom Observation - arranged
   • 1 day  - Classroom Visit Job Shadow Observation - arranged
   • 1 day - Professional Development Training Session observation (may be an evening session) – arranged

   During Year 2 ten (10) days, each approximately 6 hours in length, are held during the school day. See schedule ...

   • 2  days - Cognitive Coaching Seminars at designated locations
   • 6 days -  Professional Development sessions at cohort location
   • 2 days – Online Professional Development sessions with cohort using Elluminate (approximately 1 to 1 ½ hours)

   For non-Missouri residents, Year 1 begins with a 4 day orientation experience, ideally in Missouri, to communicate with eMINTS staff, focus on program implementation, the basics of inquiry-based learning, the eMINTS Instructional Model and visit eMINTS classrooms. Then a 2-3 day follow-up meeting will be provided in participants' sites between months 6-9 of year 1 training. This format is intended to give PD4ETS participants the support needed as they provide professional development, establish their eMINTS classrooms and deepen their understanding about the eMINTS program. In addition, non-Missouri participants and eMINTS staff will meet for approximately 1-2 hours each month via online environment. Also, monthly phone calls will be scheduled mutually by participants and eMINTS staff.
   
   If at least five participants are from the same state or region, all Year 1 experiences may be held in the participants’ home state or in a location convenient to participants.
   
   During Year 2, non-Missouri participants schedule a week-long session in Missouri. If at least five participants are from the same state or region, the Year 2 one-week experience may be held in the participants’ home state or in a location convenient to participants. In addition, non-Missouri participants and eMINTS staff will meet for approximately 1-2 hours each month via online environment. Also, monthly phone calls will be scheduled mutually by participants and eMINTS staff.

10. Q. Are there obligations in addition to training sessions?
    A. Participants are required to visit an eMINTS classroom if they have not done so in the past, attend a professional development session facilitated by an experienced eMINTS trainer and job shadow a trainer during a classroom visit. Missouri participants also are expected to attend the eMINTS Winter Conference in Year 1 of their training. The eMINTS Winter Conference is counted as one of the required sessions.  Part of the training schedule includes 4 days of Cognitive Coaching training. There will be 4 additional days offered at additional cost the following year.
    
    
11. Q. What requirements must participating Educational Technology Specialists meet?
    A. The school or district and participant must complete and meet all requirements stipulated in the eMINTS National Center program application section for PD4ETS. Participants and their schools or districts are expected to commit to the full 2-year program. Participants are expected to attend all sessions and be present during site visits. Strict attendance polices are outlined in the PD4ETS Program Guidebook.
    
    
12. Q. What is required to receive “certification” as an eMINTS instructional specialist? Are all participants in PD4ETS required to complete the certification requirements? Is there a cost for the certification process?
    A. Participants interested in certification will be required to complete several job shadowing experiences, develop a portfolio of required materials and complete a performance-based competency assessment. Completion of the certification process is not a requirement of the PD4ETS program. Participants not completing the certification process will receive a certificate of attendance; however, successful completion of the certification process is required for individuals to be eligible to provide eMINTS Professional Development programs.
    
    Participants who complete the requirements of the certification process but who do not successfully facilitate eMINTS comprehensive or eMINTS4All training during the two-year program will receive a certificate of completion. These participants may access eMINTS Professional Development materials after the two-year PD4ETS program is complete but may not train official eMINTS or eMINTS4All teachers. Participant may apply for ETS certification at a later time to train official eMINTS comprehensive or eMINTS4All teachers.
    
    Participants who complete the requirements of the certification process and who successfully facilitated one year of eMINTS Professional Development for eMINTS comprehensive and/or eMINTS4All teacher(s) or an approved adaptation of eMINTS Professional Development will receive eMINTS Instructional Specialist certification. These participants must be evaluated performing eMINTS Professional Development with a training cohort. Participants who receive ETS certification may facilitate the training of official eMINTS comprehensive or eMINTS4All teachers after the completion of the two-year PD4ETS program and may be selected to serve as a consultant to the eMINTS National Center providing professional development programs to eMINTS comprehensive or eMINTS4All teachers from other districts.
    
    Costs for certification are included in the participation costs.
    
    
13. Q. Is there a cost for continued access to eMINTS Professional Development materials following successful certification?
    A. Certified ETS (or their organizations) will be required to complete an annual Access Agreement outlining the privileges and limitations of their access to eMINTS Professional Development materials. A fee will be assessed annually. Failure to complete the Access Agreement and/or to pay the access fee will result in termination of the individual’s access to eMINTS Professional Development materials.
    
    
14. Q. What additional requirements must certified ETS adhere to in preparing official eMINTS teachers?
    A. In addition to completing the annual Access Agreement, certified eMINTS Instructional Specialists delivering eMINTS PD to teachers who wish to be considered official eMINTS comprehensive or eMINTS4All teachers (including replacement teachers) must submit a professional development schedule prior to the start of professional development each year. Thirdly, they must submit a classroom visit schedule that documents completed classroom visits in January and at the end of the school year.
    
    
15. Q. Are participants expected to take “refresher” or continuing education courses to maintain their certification?
    A. ETS who successfully complete the PD4ETS program will be expected to maintain contact with the eMINTS National Center to receive programmatic updates (professional development materials) and other information. Requirements for additional professional development to maintain certification will be posted on the eMINTS website.
    
    
16. Q. What is the application process for the PD4ETS program? Where should it be sent? When will we be notified if our application is accepted?
    A. Find information for registering for eMINTS Professional Development programs, including PD4ETS. Registration forms must be postmarked no later than June 15. In addition to the application, a telephone interview with the participant and appropriate school or district administrative staff may be required. Applicants will receive written and e-mail confirmation of their acceptance into eMINTS programs. Information about dates, times and locations of initial sessions will be included if applicable.
    
    
17. Q. What factors are considered in the application approval process?
    A. Applications are approved based on multiple factors including the availability of eMINTS staff to provide the services, completeness of the application, demonstrated success in program implementation for schools or districts seeking additional eMINTS classroom implementations or participation in PD4ETS. Another important factor is the geographic distribution of applicants allowing the formation of cohort groups with adequate numbers of participants – intensive face-to-face programs such as PD4ETS are generally not available to groups smaller than 5 participants.
    
    
18. Q. What sources of support are available to pay the participation costs for eMINTS PD or eMINTS Replacement PD?
    A. Please note: the eMINTS National Center does not provide funds to teachers, schools, districts or other educational organizations interested in implementing the eMINTS Instructional Model. Schools, districts and other educational organizations may fund equipment, software and/or eMINTS Professional Development programs using the following sources of funds:
    • eMINTS grant funding and application information
    • Title I (note: some states have specific regulations regarding equipment purchase).
    • Titles II.A
    • Title IV
    • Title V,
    • Title VI
    • Local Professional Development and At-Risk funds
    • Foundations – see reliable sources such as the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE).
      
      
19. Q. What equipment is a participating organization required to provide for PD4ETS participants?
    A. The organization is required to provide the participant with a laptop meeting current specifications for the two years that the specialist is in the program. See current specifications.
    
    
20. Q. Will participants be provided with webspace while they are in the program?
    A. Yes. eMINTS will provide participants with a limited amount of webspace while they are in the program if the participant’s organization is unable to provide them. See policies.
    
    
21. Q. How long is the organization and participant committed to participating in PD4ETS?
    A. Schools, districts, organizations and participating specialists must make a two-year commitment and complete all scheduled sessions and requirements.
    
    
22. Q. What if a specialist leaves before completing the program? Will organizations be reimbursed for unused portions?
    A. Organizations will not be reimbursed for unused portions of the program. Because of the nature of the professional development program sequence, organizations are not allowed to substitute other individuals if the original applicant is unable to complete the program after any more than the first three sessions (Missouri) or first two days of Week 1 (national version) have been held.
    

Reviewed July 14, 2009.