The Role of Online Professional Development Opportunities for Teachers in Western Pennsylvania Public School Districts

[摘要] The purpose of this study was to focus on how school districts are using online opportunities, activities, and programs for teacher professional development. The goal ofthis study was to identify the key indicators of success from principals and central office staff that implement online professional development opportunities in their public school districts.The research questions investigated how public school district located in Western Pennsylvania are using online professional development opportunities for teacherprofessional growth. After an initial survey of the 109 public school superintendents in Intermediate Units 1,3,4, and 27, final participants were selected based on varyingstudent and faculty populations, and that have indicated they have been using online professional development opportunities for teachers K-12 for at least one (1) year.Methods of final data collection were face-to-face semi-structured interviews. The interviews were recorded and transcribed to allow for content analysis using identifyconsensus, supported, and individual themes. Key findings of the study indicate that the most important factor of a quality online professional development program was a strong leader in the role of building principal.This study discovered the variety of successful ways in which public school districts located in Western Pennsylvania are using online learning opportunities to meet the professional learning needs of their faculty and creates the opportunity for teachers to share ideas and collaborate with colleagues anywhere and anytime.

[发布机构] the University of Pittsburgh