Memphis City Schools Selects Teachscape Video Solution to Augment Teacher Effectiveness Initiative

District moves to embed video into DNA of teacher improvement process and empower teachers to manage their own development

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 8, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Memphis City Schools (MCS) is implementing video as a primary component of teacher professional growth and support in all of the district's 180 schools. As part of the large scale adoption of video, MCS will have at least one video capture device in each of its schools, providing teachers with greater access to using video as part of their improvement process. One of the district's goals is to create a video library using their own teachers in a Memphis classroom to provide examples of local definitions of teaching effectiveness. 

Teachscape, a pioneer in using authentic classroom video for professional development, and the leader in delivering Web-based professional learning content, innovative classroom observation and evaluation technologies, and expert services to improve teaching practice, is collaborating with the district to provide the video solution that will be used for teacher development, support, and evaluation.

"The use of Teachscape's video technology allows our teachers to be their own first observer," said Monica Jordan, coordinator of reflective practice and teacher support at Memphis City Schools. "Teachers have so many ways in which they can use video to enhance their practice. They can use it for self-reflection, feedback, instructional planning, lesson prep, co-teaching, and more."

MCS educators started using video-based technology for professional development during their participation in the Measures of Effective Teaching (MET) project funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. "The use of video as a tool for reflection and development went viral," said Jordan. "As a result of the MET Project, teachers started using video to deconstruct and analyze their lessons and saw its value in improving their teaching effectiveness, and ultimately student achievement."

Teachscape's video capture and sharing solution allows educators to capture a complete lesson or lesson segment from any video-recording device and use it to reflect on specific areas of instructional practice as part of the ongoing professional learning process. Video is stored securely and easily accessed via Teachscape's web-based software for educators to review, comment, and share videos with colleagues anytime, anywhere.

"Video has also improved the way administrators and teachers interact during the observation and evaluation process – conversations are more authentic and feedback is more valuable," said Jordan. "Teachscape's ability to work with our district's framework, in addition to their system's ease of use, has allowed us to get all administrators and educators – even those not comfortable with technology – using the system effectively."

To learn more, visit www.teachscape.com.

About Teachscape
Teachscape uniquely combines innovative technology, engaging content and expert services to develop great teachers. From its classroom observation training and technology to its powerful web-based content delivery platform, Teachscape's award-winning products and services have been inspired by its dedication to sparking transformative change in teaching practice.  Since 1999, Teachscape has worked with schools and school districts, charter networks, archdioceses, universities and state education departments to measurably and continuously improve the effectiveness of educators to produce gains in student achievement. Teachscape's partners include Charlotte Danielson, ETS, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Stanford University, and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching to help shape its vision, its products, and its strategies. To learn more about Teachscape and its complete collection of professional development offerings, go to http://www.teachscape.com.

SOURCE KEH Communications