An International Education

Professional DevelopmentCluster

Sponsored by

The Delaware Department of Education

and

The Delaware Center for Educational Technology
~2005~

What is the Project about?

This International Education Cluster (IE Cluster) is collaboration between the Delaware Department of Education (DDOE), DelawareCenter for Educational Technology (DCET), and the International Education and Resource Network (iEARN), a non-profit global telecommunication network made up of over 4000 schools in nearly 100 countries for teachers and students in K-12.

The IE Cluster runs from September 2005 to June 2006:

  • Phase I, September through December: participants take one 9-week iEARN online course and complete Portfolio A for the project.
  • Phase II, January through April: participants engage in a second online project to apply their skills learned through the iEARN course and complete Portfolio B by the June deadline. Teachers and students participate in the International Gala in conjunction with the Delaware Educational Technology Conference in late April to showcase their achievements through this cluster.
  • Three additional face-to-face meetings to support the learning through the Cluster. See Timeline below for detail.

By providing teachers and their students with the opportunities to participate in a global community of learning through meaningful collaborative curricular projects, this IE Cluster creates several communities of learning:

  • teachers with iEARN facilitators;
  • teachers with peers world-wide;
  • students with students worldwide;and
  • teachers, students, parents, and Delaware educators statewide.

What are the Goals of the Cluster?

(1) Support teachers’ development of international knowledge, expertise, and initiatives;

(2) Enable teachers to acquire the skills to use educational technology in learning and as an instructional and management tool.

What will I Gain from My Participation?

1. Earn the 90 hours approved for a 2% Cluster for Professional Development;

2. Participate in the iEARN online course and projects;

3. Enhance international understandingand cross-cultural communication;

4. Acquire skills to use educational technological tools to access and manage information; and

5. Involve students in the global community and engage them in real-life and standards-based curricular projects.

Who Can Participate?

Twenty-five K-12 classroom teachers and specialists who have(1)basic computer and Internet skills, and (2) access to a computer, email, the Internet, and a class of students are eligible to participate in this IE Cluster.

HowMuch Does It Cost?

Thanks to the funding support of the International Council of Delaware (ICD), the DDOE, and the DCET, we are proud to offerthis popular cluster again in the 2005-2006 school year. The cost for the iEARN course is $600 per teacher. However, you are only asked to pay for the registration and application fee of $200, which will be reimbursed upon the successful completion of Portfolio A.

What is the Timeline and What Do I Have to Do to Earn the Cluster Hours?

1.Complete the registration form and faxto DCETon or before September 2, 2005. Notify your school and school district of your enrollment in the IE Cluster.

2.Fulfill the following requirements:

  • Attend the mandatory Orientation Meeting: September 1, 2005. 5-8:30 PM. Light dinner will be served.
  • Take the iEARN Online Course: Mid-September –mid-November 2005; andparticipate in a standards-based iEARN curricular project.
  • Attend the Half-Way Check Point Meeting: December 2005 (TBA). Submit Portfolio A.
  • Select and Implement the Second Online Project: January to April, 2006.
  • Participate in the International Gala: Wednesday, April5, 2006,Sheraton Dover Hotel, DE. This wonderful event will showcase students’ achievements in conjunction with the Delaware Instructional Technology Conference. Detail will be forthcoming.
  • Complete and submit Portfolio B on or beforeJune 23, 2006.

Delaware Department of Education Cluster Facilitators:

Debora Hansen-Ed Associate, Visual & Performing Arts, Gifted & Talented Programs,

Wendy Modzelewski-Instructional Technology Consultant, DCET,

Return/fax the application form to:

Pam Reed,

DelawareCenter for Educational Technology

35 Commerce Way

Dover, DE19904

Phone: 302-857-3305

Fax: 302-739-1775

DCET Website: