Spring 2016

Dear Principal and Local Unified School District Official, TEC21 is in the business of educating 21st-century learners. We work with teachers to meet children in their world of technology - to engage, motivate and educate them for life. The TEC21 Workshop Program's purpose is to provide teachers the opportunity to grow as lifelong learners in their effective use of technology in the classroom. Why? To engage today's students, enrich the learning experience and teach students necessary skills for living in the 21st Century. The TEC21 Workshop Program's design encourages educators to connect with one another, to share practices and to create! Through the program, teachers discover, acquire and develop practical classroom applications including lessons, project-based learning activities and supplemental web/digital resources. The TEC21 Workshop Program benefits teachers by engaging them with an ongoing professional development program which is tailored to meet their needs and provides follow up support to ensure successful implementation of what they learn. THE COST OF THE WORKSHOP PROGRAM TO THE SCHOOL: $1,000/participant TEC21 WILL PROVIDE: • 7 monthly one-day workshops • Training, guidance and support to workshop participants in utilizing TEC21’s learning management system, professional networking platforms and related course materials and resources. • Consultation services for workshop participants via digital means throughout the 2016/2017 school term. Sincerely yours, Brent Dieckhoff Executive Director of TEC21 800 N. Columbia Ave. TLEC 202B Seward, NE 68434

Title of Professional Development Program: The TEC21 Workshop Program Dates: Seven one-day training sessions beginning in September of 2016 and ending in May of 2017 Time: 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Continuing Education: Three graduate-level credits through Concordia University, Seward, NE (optional) Location: Concordia University 800 N. Columbia Ave. Seward, NE 68434 Facilitator: Laurie Friedrich, Instructional Technology Specialist & IT Coach Program Description: The TEC21 Workshop Program is a continuing education opportunity, delivered in a blended learning format where teachers experience hands-on and online professional growth. Teachers will further their pedagogy as it relates specifically to the effective integration of technology into their classroom environment. Program Goals: The TEC21 Workshop Program equips, trains, empowers, and supports teachers to confidently and effectively integrate technology into their instructional practices; to engage today's learner, to enrich the learning experience and to prepare students with the necessary skills for living and working in the 21st Century. Program Outcomes: The TEC21 participants will: 1) examine and analyze digital tools, educational apps, resources and various technological innovations; 2) design, develop and implement technology-enriched lesson plans, projects and/or units; 3) develop or refine an online presence; 4) contribute to their professional learning network; 5) collaborate with other professionals to develop and implement engaging and relevant student learning experiences; 6) attain a new level of expertise in their ability to successfully utilize the resources available to them; and 7) be a resource for their faculty as they share with others what they learn. Evaluation Procedures: The TEC21 participants will be evaluated based on their degree of: 1) active participation in group discussions; 2) sharing resources, lesson ideas, and classroom experiences; 3) active contributions to TEC21 Educators Google+ community-our online professional learning network platform; and 4) success in developing and implementing technology enriched lesson plans, projects and/or units. Criteria for Grades: Grade Criteria Consistently participates in group discussions and professional social networking sites; consistently shares related resources and teaching practices in workshops and professional A networking sites; uses digital resources to exceptionally develop learning activities to engage students; always demonstrates an enthusiasm for digital literacy and educational technology. Adequately participates in group discussions and professional social networking sites; adequately shares related resources and teaching practices in workshops and professional B networking sites; uses digital resources to fully develop learning activities to engage students; almost always demonstrates an enthusiasm for digital literacy and educational technology. Participation is limited in group discussions and professional social networking sites; occasionally shares related resources and teaching practices in workshops and professional C networking sites; uses digital resources to adequately develop learning activities to engage students; occasionally demonstrates an enthusiasm for digital literacy and educational technology. Participation is very limited in group discussions and professional social networking sites; seldom shares related resources and teaching practices in workshops and professional D networking sites; uses digital resources to minimally develop learning activities to engage students; seldom demonstrates an enthusiasm for digital literacy and educational technology. Participation is not utilized in group discussions and professional social networking sites; never shares related resources and teaching practices in workshops and professional networking sites; F never uses digital resources to develop learning activities to engage students; never demonstrates an enthusiasm for digital literacy and educational technology.