S.T.E.M. and Technology Integration

Background

The Regional Support Center has been a leader in providing technology related professional development to teachers and administrators for the last five years under the State-wide Instructional Technology Project. The RSC continues to lead the way with a renewed focus on using technology to support instruction in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics using a project-based learning approach. We believe that
teaching and learning must be meaningful to teachers and students alike. The best way to leave no child or educator behind is to recognize the elements of learning that make it meaningful: authenticity, academic rigor, applied learning, active exploration, connection and collaboration, along with effective assessment practices aligned to 21st century skills. With these elements of learning in place our schools will be exciting places
for children and effective places of learning.

The Pima County Regional Support Center offers a tiered approach to providing technology related professional development to Local Education Agencies. Priority support services through the SIT Project are free, while non-priority and more in-depth services may incur some nominal costs that cover travel, materials, facilities, or curriculum development. Training this year will focus mainly on Project-based Teaching and Learning and STEM initiatives that implement technology tools and resources. Most training will be delivered online in the form of webinars or courses. A few opportunities will combine face-to-face with online, and fewer yet will be strictly face-to-face. Arrangements may be
made to deliver targeted technology-related professional development outside
of the SIT grant priorities.

SIT Grant Priorities for 2011-12
Intel Teach
Peer Coaching
Thinkfinity

Delivered Through…
Webinars
Online Courses
Face-to-Face Training
Hybrid Courses

The Technology Integration Specialist (TIS) positions have been developed in conjunction with the State of Arizona’s statewide technology project under Enhancing Education Through Technology, Title IID.  The technology vision of this grant is to integrate current technologies into the school environment for a range of curricular, instructional, communication and administrative purposes.  Professional development opportunities will be offered to Pima County educators in all content areas.

Each county has the availability of a Technology Integration Specialist. TIS personnel for Pima County are housed at the Pima County Schools Regional Support Center.