To meet the increasing demand for professional development on the use of handhelds in K-12 education, the WestEd Regional Technology in Education Consortium has coordinated the formation of a cadre of trainers through the Palm Education Training Coordinator (PTEC) program.
"Research and our personal contacts with technology leaders in school districts indicated a keen desire on their part to learn how to incorporate the use of handheld technology into education," explains Kurt Larsen, co-director of WestEd's RTEC.
The WestEd RTEC developed a strategic training process to address this need in the four-state region of California, Arizona, Utah, and Nevada. Educational technology leaders who would develop training plans for local implementation were invited to participate.
In California, California Technology Assistance Project (CTAP) directors received basic through advanced training in using the Palm handheld during the three-day September training session. A "train-the-trainers' approach provided techniques and guidance on presenting the materials to the local areas.
Educational technology leaders in Nevada and Utah received similar training in early October. And in Arizona, the demand is being met through the Gates Leadership Institute, also supported by the WestEd RTEC.
The PTEC training facilitates the infusion of effective technology informed by research and influenced by best practices to support student learning in classroom, schools, and communities throughout the region.
To find a PETC trainer, see www.westedrtec.org. For more information about the PTEC program, see www.palm.com/education/training.
