Sakinah Hunafa

Patrick Liner

Jamie Harris

FRIT 7232: Visual Leadership in Instructional Technology

Grant Proposal for Technology Professional Development

October 23, 2016

Selected Technology: Learning Management Systems

 a. Data-based rationale:

It has been shown time and time again that teachers across the country are in need of additional
professional development opportunities to gain expertise in the use of online learning management
systems along with other types of technological advances. Based on the data collected by X high school, a
need is high for professional development workshops in learning management systems. We are basing
this analysis of need from teacher responses to the questions posed on the survey. For example, Question
1 asks teachers if they would be interested in using a learning management system to teach solely online.
Out of a total of 567 teachers surveyed a staggering 556 of them stated “no”. That means only 11 teachers
would potentially be interested in replacing face to face instruction with online instruction.
Question 2 shows that while 421 teachers of the 567 surveyed would use learning management
systems to supplement their teaching, a large group of 164 teachers would not. Considering the numbers
we have, that is quite a bit of the teachers involved. To further understand the need for professional
development in learning management systems, we can look at Question 3. Question 3 asks if the teachers
have experience in using learning management systems. The results here were the most surprising with a
very high number of 302 teachers stating that they have no experience using the tool. More often than not,
teachers fail to use a tool when professional development is needed for them to understand the workings
of the tool. The results do state that 265 teachers have some experience with the learning management
systems. However, there is no information shown that indicates level of experience.
The survey goes further with Question 4 and asks teacher which system they have used. 184 teachers
selected Edmodo, a teacher, parent and student friendly learning management system as most widely used
by them. It was very surprising to see the lack of teachers with experience using Blackboard since it is
known to be a major learning management system in many schools. If only 41 out of 567 teachers are
using Blackboard, professional development opportunities will need to increase to properly train teachers
in the tool. The final question asks teachers to indicate the aspects of learning management systems they
would like to receive professional development in. Professional development was requested in the
following order from greatest need to least:

1. Communication tools within the platform: 505 teachers

2. Creating classes: 446 teachers
3. Uploading content: 374 teachers
4. Writing online assessments: 259 teachers
5. Grading online assessments: 143 teachers

Interestingly enough, ability to utilize communication tools is the biggest need. Almost every teacher
in the school is struggling to communicate using the tools in the learning management systems. This
would make parent-teacher as well as teacher-student communication very difficult while learning online.
The need to understand how to create classes was secondary, but significantly essential nonetheless. Since
creating classes or class whiteboards is generally the primary use of learning management systems, this is
a significant reason why so many teachers are not using the systems.
374 teachers are unable to upload content. This would increase the difficulty to provide class
assignments and homework through the system causing teachers to return to paper and pencil methods
over the systems. A surprising 259 teachers struggle to write online assessments. Again, this would cause
teachers to abandon the learning management systems such as Blackboard and D2L in order to save time
and avoid frustration. Finally, if 143 teachers are unable to grade online assessments, then they will not
use the system. It would be counter-intuitive for teachers to use a system in which they are unsure of how
to grade the work. Therefore, if the school system would like to make the most of the learning
management systems in place, they would do well to provide professional development in this situation.
Based on the aforementioned factors and the survey results shown below, there is a high need for
professional development workshops or classes in the learning management systems to increase overall
learning and productivity.

b. Supporting information and details:

To further support our decision to propose professional development of learning management systems as
a need, we have included the survey and the data table together. The data shows the number of teachers
responding yes or no to each question as well as their request for assistance in various aspects of learning
management systems. The teachers surveyed range from 6th to 12th grade.

Survey regarding E-Learning

X high school is exploring the possibility of offering online course offerings to our students. In
order to do that efficiently, the Educational Technology Department wants to know faculty
impressions about Learning Management Systems, such as Blackboard or CANVAS. Please
answer the following questions:

1. I would be interested in using a Learning Management System to teach exclusively

online.
a. Yes
b. No
2. I would be interested in using a Learning Management System to supplement my
teaching online.
a. Yes
b. No
3. I have experience in using Learning Management Systems.
a. Yes
b. No
4. If the answer to #3 is yes, please indicate which system you have used.
a. _____________________

5. Below, please indicate all aspects of Learning Management Systems in which you think
you would need professional development.
a. Creating classes.
b. Uploading content.
c. Writing online assessments.
d. Grading online assessments
 e. Communication tools within the platform.
Learning Management System Survey Response: 567 Secondary (6-12) teachers

# of Yes # of No Details if Applicable

Question 1 11 556

Question 2 421 164

Question 3 265 302

Question 4 Edmodo:184

Blackboard:41

Desire2Learn: 36

Instructure:4

Question 5 Creating classes: 446

Uploading content: 374

Writing online assessments: 259

Grading online assessments: 143

Communication tools within the platform: 505

Goals explanation

Our goals:

Goal 1:
To educate and increase the staff knowledge of using the learning management systems in the
classroom by the end of the professional development.
Objectives:
a. Learn the different tools and applications that is provided by the district to
use with learning management systems in the classroom.
b. Increase the number of teachers to use the learning management in the classroom for all of
their lessons.
c. Teachers demonstrate their knowledge of using the learning management systems in the
classroom

Goal 2:
Teachers will increase the student achievement level in the district by using the
features provide by the learning management systems in the classroom by the end of
2015 – 2016 school year.

Objectives:
a. Use the student response device with the learning management systems.
b. Use graphics, visual aids, video clips, and interactive activities within a learning management
system during a lesson.
c. Use learning management systems to give students access to content at any location with
internet access.

Planned Activities and Budget:

This professional development will take place over the course of one week. This
professional development will be completed with a high school in a school district in the state of
Georgia. Because learning management systems involve all subject areas, each day will be
designated for one subject area. This will allow the smallest number of teachers possible to be
gone on any one day. As seen in the agenda below, most of the activities will occur in one hour
blocks. Teachers may take restroom breaks as needed throughout the day. Teachers will receive
breakfast upon arriving. This breakfast will be provided by the school system and will be
addressed in the budget below. Teachers will go to lunch on their own. This professional
development day will take place in our training room at central office. The training will be
conducted by a team of three teachers in the school system that have received training and have
experience with learning management systems.

Monday: Math Department

Tuesday: Science Department
Wednesday: English Department
Thursday: Social Studies Department
Friday: Electives/Connections Department

Learning Management Systems (LMS) Agenda

Planned Activities Goal Topics

8:30-9:00 Breakfast/Introduction N/A

9:00-10:00 Learning Management Goal 1 ● What are LMS?

Systems 101-Teacher ● How can we use LMS in
class?
introduction and Q & A ● How can LMS make
about LMS your life easier?
● Benefits of LMS

10:00-11:00 Which LMS is right for Goal 1 ● What are the different
my class?-Teachers will features of each LMS?
● What is the cost of each
make a list of the top 5 LMS?
LMS and why they believe ● Which LMS is the most
they are best for their user friendly?
class. ● Which LMS give
students the most
accessibility (Apps)?

11:00-12:00 Content on Learning Goal 1 ● How do I upload

Management Systems- content to a LMS?
● How do I control what
Teachers will upload a content students can
sample assessment to a access?
LMS ● How do I create
assignments?
● How do I create
documents that students
can enter information
on?

12:00-1:00 Lunch on your own

1:00-2:00 Assessments on Learning Goal 1 ● How do I create formal

Management Systems- and informal
 Teachers will create a assessments on LMS?
sample assessment and ● How do I give students
feedback on
upload to a LMS assessments?
● How do I grade
assessments on LMS?
●

2:00-2:30 How can LMS benefit our
students?-Teachers will
write down 3 ways they
believe LMS can help our
students
Goal 2 ● What are the benefits do
LMS provide for our
students?
● What if our students do
not have internet
access?
● Providing students with
resources and content
anywhere they have
internet
●

2:30-3:15 How can LMS give our
students access to better
resources?-Teachers will
upload sample content
and resources for students
Goal 2 ● How can we guide the
content our students
receive through LMS?
● How can we connect our
assignments and online
resources to drive
student achievement
and understanding?

3:15-3:30 Q&A and Conclusion

The budget included is designed for training of approximately 80 teachers over the course
of 1 week. Each teacher and the 3 teacher presentation team will need substitute teachers
to cover their classes.
Breakfast will be provided each morning for teachers participating in the training that
day. Teachers will use their district devices to complete the training. There will be no cost
in hiring trainers as teachers from the district will conduct the training. There is also no
cost associated with building space. This training will be conducted in the professional
development room at central office.

Budget
Substitute Teachers ($70 x 90)- $6,300
Breakfast ($100 x 5 days)- $500
Miscellaneous-$200

Total Budget: $7,000

 Evaluation Plan
Goals
Goal 1: To educate and increase the staff
knowledge of using the Learning
Management System in the classroom by the
end of the professional development.
Goal 2: Teachers will increase the student
achievement level in the district by using the
features provide by the Learning
Management System in the classroom by the
end of 2015 – 2016 school year.
Evaluation
· The teachers will take a pre-test about
the Learning Management System. This is to
see what they already know.
· The teachers will participate in
activities, discussions, and short quizzes
· The teachers will be given a post-test
to see what they learn from the professional
development.
· The teachers will take a survey. The
survey will help to see if the professional
development was helpful to the teachers and
what area do they recommend for
improvement if any and what they like.
· Teacher will attend two additional
professional learning developments.
· Instructional technology specialist will
come out to observe the teacher in the
classroom. The instructional specialist will
interview the students after the lesson. The
instructional technology specialist will
discuss what he/she observe with the teacher.
The teacher and technology specialist can
discuss their concerns if any and decide if the
teacher achieve the goal or need additional
training.
· Students will take a survey to see how
they feel about the teacher using Learning
Management System in the classroom.
· Teacher will take a survey at the end
of the year to see if the student achievement
level increase. Teachers will use the
students’ achievement data from the
beginning of the school year and compare it
to student achievement level data at the end
 of the school year.

Appendix
Surveys and course evaluation - www.surveymonkey.com and/or
www.doc.google.com/forms/

Sample:
https://docs.google.com/a/georgiasouthern.edu/forms/d/1vM7JKkAyA9I4jD0VitKgbkRezJ
cxEQ8M4lw8VaJHHjw/edit