Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. has received almost $100,000 from the Indiana Department of Education to train teachers to better deliver virtual learning.
The Digital Learning Capacity Building Grant is awarded to schools and districts that “develop comprehensive plans to bring blended and digital learning training to their teachers, the department said.
BCSC’s grant proposal was written by BCSC coordinator of instructional technology Brenny Kummer. Kummer said that the grant project will allow BCSC to create a program called Growing Educators through Micro-Credentialing (GEM).
According to IDOE, micro-credentialing is a “non-traditional, competency-based approach to professional development that gives participants the tools necessary to gain targeted skills and demonstrate their learning by successfully implementing their newly developed skills.”
Kummer said, “Ideally, this grant will not only help our teachers become more proficient with technology tools for improved blended and digital learning, but will help our staff grow their skills for becoming better teachers in any learning environment.”
She said that BCSC staff will be able to work on self-paced modules through itslearning on their own. However, they will also be able to reach out for support and guidance by talking to the GEM development representatives in their building or attending a GEM workshop session offered once monthly after school.
Kummer said this grant will also have a positive impact on BCSC students.
“BCSC students deserve to have the most accessible, innovative learning experiences possible; by providing innovative, inclusive, accessible learning experiences for our staff, we can help model this practice and ensure that they take the same mindset and tools to their roles with students,” she said.
