First "Quality Teaching and Learning Symposium” at Botetourt Center for Quality Teaching and Learning

DALEVILLE, VA - Forty of Virginia's new Instructional Technology Resource Teachers (ITRT) declared their training by the Centers for Quality Teaching and Learning a success at a meeting of ITRTs following the Virginia Statewide Technology conference on Wednesday, Dec. 7.

"What we learned from QTL™ really made a difference," said Gail Moore, an ITRT from Amherst County who demonstrated lessons designed with co-ITRT Melanie Lewis and Amherst County teachers.

Moore and Lewis said the QTL™ program from The Centers for Quality Teaching and Learning helped them bridge a knowledge gap with teachers. Where some knew how to use technology, most did not know how to use technology in developing lessons.

Instructional Technology Resource Teachers (ITRTs) are coming to the rescue in schools across Virginia.

One teacher, said Lewis, "was resistant (to use technology) because she thought it would take too much time. As she integrates technology, it takes less time because she has the students' attention."

"The kids are now focused on content because of technology," said Lewis. That teacher, she added, "is so sorry she didn't use technology earlier.”

By law, Virginia Commonwealth public schools are funded one ITRT position per thousand students. That means about 1,200 ITRT’s should be on the job this year, helping teachers find effective ways to use technology in the classroom.

The "Quality Teaching and Learning Symposium” at the Botetourt County Schools Center for Quality Teaching and Learning offered ITRTs an opportunity to network. "The meeting helped ITRTs share what they have learned during their QTL™ professional learning and put into practice with others to help all be successful," said QTL™ Director of Training Tamara McCulloch.

Floyd County's Sean Sharpe said networking offers support for all, particularly ITRTs from small districts. "Networking is very important for me."

During presentations, ITRTs such as Lori Poythress from Prince Georges County told the group that technology "gets kids thinking about your objectives."

Teresa Cannady of Pittsylvania County said one of the biggest challenges is long-time teachers close to retirement. "They say their focus is on the 'Standards of Learning' and they don't have time to do the whole thing. But when they do (start using technology) they won't stop."

The ITRTs who have completed QTL™ training and those who are interested in the program will meet again in March in conjunction with the VSTE conference to continuing building their capacity to help teachers use technology as a normal part of their instructional practice.

QTL™ helps teachers meet the needs of every student in their classroom every day. The program helps teachers understand research-based instructional practices, align them with Virginia's Standards of Learning, and use technology to more effectively engage their students and help make them responsible for their own learning.