Accepted Papers from TCEA Symposium 2008

Value Added Online Professional Development:
Enhancing State Professional Development Initiatives
to Target State Professional Development Needs

Gypsy Abbott, PhD
The University of Alabama at Birmingham

Richard Littleton, EdD
Alabama Public Television

Lynne Meeks, EdD
Alabama Public Television

Nancy Hill, MA
Alabama Public Television

Kathy Chandler, PhD
Birmingham Southern College

ABSTRACT: This study examined pre- and post-survey results and analysis of online discussion forums to determine the “value added” of including the Reading First: Supporting Early Reading Instruction with Technology course offered through e-Learning for Educators initiative in the professional development of Alabama teachers who had been trained by The Alabama Reading Initiative (ARI). The study was commissioned by e-Learning for Educators, Alabama. e-Learning for Educators is an eight state initiative funded through the United States Department of Education Ready to Teach grant and is administered by Alabama Public Television. Alabama Public Television and The Alabama State Department of Education are program partners in the e-Learning for Educators, Alabama initiative.

The researchers captured qualitative data from online discussion forums weekly during the duration of the course sessions. Quantitative data were gathered from pre and post surveys developed and piloted by the evaluation team. Quantitative data were analyzed utilizing independent t-tests and paired t-tests; descriptive statistics were computed. Qualitative data were analyzed by case and across cases to identify emergent themes. Conclusions were drawn and recommendations made for program improvement. Findings indicate implications for online course developers, online course facilitators, educational policy, teacher preparation programs, as well as state and national educational initiatives.