Promoting Science and Technology Professional Development using an Invitational Education Approach

Abstract

Traditionally, professional development for teachers is delivered in a top down approach. Using Invitational Education as a framework, this study explored a “doing with” rather than “doing to” approach to professional development focused on integrating technology and science. Four teachers incorporated tablet-based computers into their science lessons, with a goal of using a Tablet-based Note-taking Application (TbNA) as a science notebook. Field notes from professional development meetings and an in-depth interview with one teacher were analyzed. All teachers successfully integrated technology into their science lessons and were open to further use of technology. One teacher met the goal of using the TbNA – developing specific goals and integrating it consistently into her science lessons. Importantly, she viewed her part in the professional development project as a positive experience. Our findings suggest that an Invitational Education approach might better help teachers with technology integration compared to more traditional trainings.