My Observations on In-Service

Throughout the media program, I have had the opportunity to sit in on several in-service meetings at the various schools I have observed. Many of the meetings have been little more than 30 minute in-service. The media specialist has received some new type of technology media or a principal heard about this media from someone and wants the media specialist to offer a few minutes of explanation and demonstration. These were all very informal and simply just a show and go type of presentation. The teachers were all very receptive. It seemed that at least one teacher had had some type of experience with the new media. It definitely helped that teachers were aware of the new media. I volunteer as a parent advocate at a private school in Douglas County. I had the opportunity to talk with the media specialist there regarding the in-service he offers. Because they are a Title I school, they are required to hold meetings for parents. Many times, the media specialist will offer an in-service to parents to introduce parents to educational websites online. They have had a lot of positive feedback from this. So much so, that the media specialist is now setting up a blog to keep parents aware of any new websites. At this school, the media specialist is the leader that encourages tech use. He really pushes the use of it in the classroom. Because the school is non-traditional his position is very much like an administrator as well. He introduces new technology to the teachers and explains to them how they can incorporate it in to their classroom. The teachers seem to appreciate his enthusiasm and enjoy incorporating new things into their lessons.