14th November 2006

Spray and pray PD, action research, and educational change

posted in edtech |

I think it was Frieda Foxworth and her co-presenters for K-12 Online who introduced me last week to the phrase “spray and pray” to characterize the predominant professional development model followed by most school districts in the United States when it comes to technology integration– as well as other new teaching ideas. This evening I have just finished a three hour workshop for Tulsa Public Schools– a workshop of the 4:15 to 7:15 pm variety– certainly not ideal: everyone is tired, it is the end of the day, and another day of work (with students for the teachers and librarians in attendance) lies ahead. My topic was digital storytelling– which is my favorite workshop to teach…. we had fun, and the teachers created some really compelling work, especially for just having about 40 minutes to put their “stories” together using PhotoStory 3.

As I sit in “The Cracker Barrel” (one of my favorite chain restaurants) waiting for dinner, I am reflecting on the “spray and pray” model of technology integration professional development. I remember that if just ONE person in my workshop got some new ideas for engaging kids through digital storytelling… and goes on some day in (hopefully) the not too distant future to apply those ideas with students in the classroom or the library… then tonight was a success. The fact that we had fun learning together marks the evening as a success, I think… but I am struggling with this entire professional development model. On a broader level I can add– an overarching goal of offering professional development workshops like this as I do on behalf of my employer is the idea that “digital consumption drives bandwidth.” The more digital content and curriculum which students and teachers access, create, and share for others to access– the more bandwidth their schools as well as individuals within their communities will want, need, and purchase.

Vicki Allen, one of the other AT&T advocates in the Dallas/Ft Worth area, has been talking with me recently about the idea of having some “Collaborative Collage” three day workshops for teachers this summer, to introduce them to and provide them with opportunities to use many of the tools we discuss in our “Global Voices” conference presentation. (Tools like YackPack, Bubbleshare, Vaestro, Springdoo, Skype, etc.) The workshop participants were talking tonight about that all-powerful obstacle to real meaning in the classroom: LIMITED TIME, and this made me think again about the potential benefits of offering a three-day intensive workshop in the SUMMER when teachers are less stressed and time-pressured. I am liking this idea more and more. I am not ready to abandon the “spray and pray” model altogether– that is the REALITY of professional development in many of our schools, after all, and in the case of tonight’s workshop all the participants were volunteers. The fact that these educators chose to give up three hours of their time after school to learn something new makes it seem likely that the ideas we discussed and explored together will be implemented in some shape or form in their classrooms and libraries. But who knows? There is not really any formal accountability and follow-up for these types of “one shot” training workshops.

I’m thinking that the “Collaborative Collage” model could change this. It might be optimal if teachers came in cohorts, with at least one other teacher from their school, and better yet with the librarian/media specialist as well. Even better, maybe they could bring their principal and/or superintendent? Part of the “Collaborative College” workshop model could include a pre-workshop assessment, a post-workshop assessment, and some follow-up assessments during the subsequent school year to see if any of the strategies and technologies discussed in the three day workshop were actually used– and if so, which ones were used and how were they used? I think we have a strong need for this type of “action research” in the educational space. I learned a bit about “action research” in my own doctoral coursework, but I did not actually do any myself when I was a classroom teacher. As my involvement with web 2.0 technologies like blogging and podcasting has grown, my desire to get involved with other teachers in action research projects has been growing. My recent experiences as a convener for K-12 Online also fueled this desire.

I love the opportunity to work both individually and with groups of teachers on technology integration, especially digital storytelling. I am struck, however, by the abiding need we have to adopt professional development models which are more effective than the traditional “spray and pray” model. I think I am going to become (if I’m not already) a “professional sprayer and prayer” here in Oklahoma. Maybe a series of summer “Collaborative Collage” workshops can more effectively meet the educational change goals I want to personally and professionally advance?

I think the best thing we can help other teachers do in professional development sessions relating to educational technology is SUCCESSFULLY EXPERIENCE the use of a new technology, website, or strategy in an authentic instructional context. Conversations and experiences change people much more than formal classes and polished lectures do or can. That is why I maintain EXTENDING THE CONVERSATIONS happening here in the edu-blogosophere is one of the most important acts of advocacy we can all do on behalf of students and the other constituents served by our schools.

On this day..

This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 14th, 2006 at 8:16 pm and is filed under edtech. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

There are currently 4 responses to “Spray and pray PD, action research, and educational change”

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  1. 1 On November 15th, 2006, Ajit said:

    Hi Wesley,

    I work for Springdoo and came across your blog mentioning Springdoo. Just thought I’d let you know that we’ve just released a new version of Springdoo (still in beta) which we think will be even more useful to the education sector. It now has everything from Video widgets you can stick on your blog, video RSS support, recording and publishing from your video phone, and publishing to mobile phones. So do check it out and we would be happy to receive any feedback from you - good or bad.

    Cheers,
    Ajit

  2. 2 On November 16th, 2006, Candace Hackett Shively said:

    I, too, love the “Spray and Pray” term!

    Until reformers, do-gooders, politicians, and professional development specialists reach the same conclusion as you have about teacher TIME, meaningful use of it, and the benefits of successful, unrushed experience in a supportive, collaborative environment WITH teaching colleagues, most PD will be a skunk spray.

    We need to meet teachers on their ground, since they have no time to hike to the base camp from the realities of their outposts. You have it right. Spray and Pray does work for the teachers who are absolutely driven to seek out new things. The vast majority would LOVE to do so, but real life and health force them to choose survival, even if it means remaining in isolation at their outposts. Those of us who do PD, in whatever format, must truly meet them at these outposts and live amid their gear and their compatriots to provide the support and credibility they demand in helping them adopt new ways. There are creative ways to deliver this in a “montage” of experiences, as long as we remember that their outpost should be OUR base, not vice versa. Our presence there may be physical or virtual, but it is in THEIR camp. Want teachers to learn something new? Let them see it, taste it, try it, do it…they will seize the experience and continue with it in their “mess kit” on the trail of teaching. That is true ACTION research.

  3. 3 On November 16th, 2006, Swimming In The River » What a Coincidence! said:

    [...] I was reading one of my favorite blogs tonight, “Moving at the Speed of Creativity” by Wesley Fryer.  One of his most recent posts refers to the “spray and pray” format of staff development.  At one point he even refers to himself as ”a ‘professional sprayer and prayer’“.  The exact type of staff development that we’ve been doing the past few months.  Fryer goes on to say that, although he is not ready to abandon the “spray and pray” method, he also, is looking into transforming the way staff development is conducted.  In her comment to Mr. Fryer’s post, Candace Hackett Shively says, “Spray and Pray does work for the teachers who are absolutely driven to seek out new things. The vast majority would LOVE to do so, but real life and health force them to choose survival, even if it means remaining in isolation at their outposts. Those of us who do PD, in whatever format, must truly meet them at these outposts and live amid their gear and their compatriots to provide the support and credibility they demand in helping them adopt new ways.” [...]

  4. 4 On November 17th, 2006, Laura B. Fogle said:

    We should consider options to combine our traditional PD with new technologies. For example, continue an in person conference session in a virtual conference. I participated in the K12 Online conference and LOVED it. The best part for me was the “spray and play” option. As the presenters sprayed out their new ideas I would pause the presentation and “play” with the new technology immediately. I didn’t have to take notes and try it later or even try to keep up with the presenter like I would in a live hands-on presentation.

    What if we had short in-the-seat presentations that were followed up with virtual sessions? Students could choose when it was most convenient for them to learn more. This is similar to Wesley’s idea of having on-going sessions in the summer, but more flexible. I don’t have a lot of free time in the summer. My kids are home out of school. I would rather learn at night all through the year when they are in bed.

    Laura B. Fogle
    http://www.tech4teaching.blogspot.com