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New
York City
Results of two recent independent research studies find that TeachNet
is effectively impacting both teachers and students in New York
City public schools. According to one study, students taught with
TeachNet-developed curriculum showed greater achievement gains than
students taught with traditional methods of instruction. Research
also showed that teachers who participated in TeachNet used their
technology in the classroom more often than other technology teachers,
and increased technology integration in the classroom overall. TeachNet
teachers also gave higher ratings to our professional development
than teachers instructed by others. According to one TeachNet member:
“Through the opportunities afforded through TeachNet, my students'
learning experience was richer than your typical classroom. Students
were more motivated and put more effort into their learning when
technology was effectively integrated.” LINK
TO STUDY.
Maine
The Maine TeachNet case study summarizes the impact of Maine’s
Center for Education Services Program—funded from 1999-2005
with a federal Technology Innovation Challenge Grant. The evaluation
proved that the use of TeachNet within a structured process of teacher-to-teacher
collaboration directly impacted student achievement. The evaluators
also found that TeachNet had a profound influence on the teachers
involved—resulting in increased technology skills and capacities;
improved confidence; greater energy and motivation; and made available
a network of professionals upon which they could draw for learning
and support—thereby decreasing the isolation so common in
teachers. Most importantly, the study found that TeachNet Developers
and Adaptors—working throughout in collaboration—were
significantly more likely to improve student achievement according
to identified performance indicators of the Maine Learning Results.
LINK TO STUDY.
Ireland
TeachNet Ireland has demonstrated that it is of vital importance
to provide both pedagogical and technical support to classroom teachers
to assist them in developing and publishing curriculum materials
online—ultimately to affect teacher professionalism, retention,
and, of course, student achievement. TeachNet has proven to be an
exceptional professional development model to accomplish the above;
this impact is particularly maximized when a strong relationship
is established between a teacher and his/her mentor. TeachNet Ireland
is committed to continue to develop a more robust support structure
utilizing technology to overcome practical constraints such as meeting
face-to-face and the busy schedules of both teachers and mentors.
Moreover, the evaluation indicates that there is a high degree of
“re-usability” among all TeachNet projects—allowing
exponential success by having other teachers adapt the content for
use in their own classrooms throughout the nation and beyond. LINK
TO STUDY.
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