Dive Brief:
- From coaching videos to classroom recorders that give teachers visual feedback, education apps are revolutionizing how educators are perfecting their craft.
- Robbie Melton, a member of ISTE’s mobile learning committee, spoke with District Administration about the new opportunities for mobile-centered teacher development. Melton, also the Tennessee Board of Regents' associate vice chancellor of mobilization emerging technology, has even worked to create App-A-Pedia, a database of apps that fit specific ed professional development needs.
- Chief information officers have more responsibilities with the introduction of PD-associated apps, likely having to cover costs while also ensuring data is safe and secure for educators.
Dive Insight:
Melton offers several tips for schools. She says schools should be thoughtful about choosing to use an app. While some PD may be better face-to-face, other lessons may be best online, so differentiating when to use which is critical. Typically, apps are great for updating a big staff on a new policy, Melton says.
She also recommends working directly with an app publisher to make sure the needs of a district are met. Each school is unique so an off-the-shelf app may not be the best plan, as molding it to the specific goals of a school is important for reaching goals.
