It's likely that participants will have questions and concerns about implementing ESL/CivicsLink in their programs. Ask participants to consider what these "roadblocks" to implementation might be. Some common roadblocks mentioned during the field testing included:
Record participants' responses on a flipchart. Once participants have had the opportunity to list "roadblocks," engage them in a discussion of possible solutions and next steps.
Possible solutions to the typical roadblocks listed here could include:
Technology/equipment constraints:
ESL/CivicsLink takes advantage of the web environment by using links, audio, mouseovers, pop-up windows, etc... Mindful however of the fact that teachers may not have access to the latest equipment, more demanding technological innovations were kept to a minimum. The minimum technical requirements for using the site are:
As noted previously, research indicates that teachers who learned to use technology in professional development settings report gains in self-confidence, expertise, and enthusiasm in using technology in the classroom. Teachers from the field tests with little previous exposure to technology were able to make inventive suggestions as to how it could be improved by the end of the testing.
The online format allows teachers to access the site anytime, anywhere they have access to a computer and the internet.
Most teachers probably think of professional devleopment as a group activity, i.e., seminars, conferences, etcb&, in which teachers learn together. They should know that, contrary to the image of online learning as an solo activity, much of the activities within ESL/CivicsLink have been designed for teachers to learn together. Teachers are continually asked to respond to different issues within the units, and comment on each other's ideas and experience.