“Science for All”: A Case Study of Digitizing Inquiry-Driven Professional Development

Abstract

To adapt to the increasingly technology-driven environment of modern K-12 education Integrated Science Education Outreach (InSciEd Out) digitized an extensive professional development curriculum library that forms the core experience for teachers joining the program. In previous years the curriculum had been delivered solely in print form. The goals of this conversion were to better employ technology in the teacher training experience that mirrored best practice in their K-12 classrooms and to provide a more scalable product for InSciEd Out. The digitized professional development curriculum was delivered using Google Classroom accessed by teachers with Chromebooks. The digitization measurably improved flexibility for engagement in scientific experimentation and granted immediate access to course feedback for the program. Teachers who participated rated the course positively in general and specifically reported increased self-efficacy in technology use both in the internship and in the classroom.