Site-Based Professional Development: Learning Cycle and Technology Integration

According to the Nation's Report Card released by Education Secretary Richard Riley, 51% of students from Georgia scored below basic science understanding level, and 95% of African American students performed below grade level in science understanding. Valdosta State University serves in the region to improve science teachers' skills. This region contains a high proportion of minorities and students from economically disadvantaged homes. This paper describes a project that aims to assist middle school and high school science teachers to: (1) become knowledgeable and effective using an inquiry-based teaching procedure (learning cycle) that is consistent with both state and national science education reform movements; and (2) obtain the necessary experience and skills using instructional technologies to incorporate them into the inquiry-based teaching procedure. Results suggest that teachers felt positive impact from using the learning cycle and incorporating technology on students and themselves, and indicated positive self-efficacy and increased interest in teaching. (YDS)