After the initial visit, AWARD Reading works directly with a designated contact to support ongoing, sustained Professional Development. Additional support is available via this website and webinars as well as customer service calls directed to Professional Development providers.

To teach effectively in the online environment, staff need to understand the best instructional strategies for student success and recognize quality content as well as evaluate how that instruction is enhanced through the use and influence of technology. AWARD Professional Development provides high-quality, ongoing support and demonstrates the unique benefits of quality online content.

A brief description of instructional practice to support academic learning through AWARD Reading Professional Development: Elementary students begin the day with an appropriate text projected on an interactive whiteboard and as the carefully constructed text is shared with the whole class, every student reads along, enjoying the elements of story while absorbing skills that meet their needs. The first reading offers subtle reminders about where the sentence begins and highlights each word as it is read on every page. Students, with the aid of the teacher, make predictions, explain how the story relates to them and pick out words and letters they know.

Following the whole class instruction, one group gathers with the teacher for guided reading support with the animated story on a laptop, while another group goes to the computer center where they log in and begin working on assigned tasks, such as completing a phonics activity or a comprehension activity tied to the story. Other students, those who have mastered those skills, are given the assignment of writing a digital story or doing web research on a related topic to create an online report or book for publication. Others remain at the whiteboard area, re-reading the story with a small group to continue practicing reading with a student leader, answering questions about text and creating a story structure chart.

Anyone visiting the classroom would see students absorbed in their work, working on differentiated activities in technology centers that create a dynamic learning environment and foster critical thinking. Every student takes assignments home, able to follow up seamlessly with the same individualized instruction or practice they need. This type of instructional flow transforms students from restrictive 'one size fits all' instruction and supports creative thinking, independent learners, and comfort with technology from the earliest days of Kindergarten.