For immediate release
THE TeachNet PROJECT: TEACHER PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT GOES ONLINE Teachers are fed up with the one-stop workshop approach
to professional development, but most have few alternatives.
However, a new-and asynchronous-way of networking with
and learning from experienced peers is being developed
by Teachers Network, a nationwide, non-profit organization
that has been working for more than 20 years to support
and connect innovative teachers through grants and networking
opportunities in the areas of curriculum, leadership, policy,
and new media.
The TeachNet Project, currently underway in New York, Boston, Miami,
Chicago, as well as overseas in Ireland and in the United Kingdom,
seeks to build a virtual community of teachers sharing best practices
to improve student learning. Experienced, computer-savvy teachers
serve as "Web mentors" to help other teachers learn to develop and
publish curriculum units using Web-based learning.
In addition, several TeachNet Project curriculum units can be seen "in
action" in a series of streaming video short films for teachers, available
on the Teachers Network web site, http://teachersnetwork.org.
These films serve as models of best practices and vividly illustrate
how much students gain from creative, engaging curriculum and committed
teachers.
A presentation on TeachNet and the use of streaming
video as a new means for delivering professional development
will be led by Teachers Network President and CEO Ellen
Dempsey at the Conference Board's annual "Business and
Education 2001 Conference," to be held May 10-11 at the
Capital Hilton in Washington, DC.
For more information, visit http://teachersnetwork.org. |