Regional Educational Technology Assistance Initiative—Phase II

Abstract

AbstractThe Regional Educational Technology Assistance (RETA) Initiative began as a way to establish a network of educators throughout New Mexico to assist school districts with technology planning and implementation. The RETA program emphasized statewide professional-development peer workshops that focused on curriculum integration rather than technological mechanics and mastery of software. The RETA Initiative met and, in many cases, exceeded expectations. Teacher participants reported increased use of e-mail, a shift from teaching about computers to using computers as an integral part of learning, more collaboration with peers, adaptation of workshop models for use in their own classrooms, and sharing of the workshop ideas. Pre- and postinitiative surveys were conducted, and a set of open-ended questions were used for supportive qualitative data.Keywords: problem-centered curriculum developmentprofessional developmenttechnology integration