McREL EdTech NAESP
Another company that we have been able to speak with leading up to National Association of Elementary School Principles 2014 conference later this week is McREL International. It is a bit of a mouthful, but McREL is a “private, nonprofit, nonpartisan education research and development corporation.” Essentially, that means that they perform a whole host of research on a wide variety of educational topics. We had a chance to ask the team a few questions about their approach. You can check them out at booth #544 during the NAESP in Nashville this week.
McRel
What is McREL?
McREL International is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan education research and development corporation that turns knowledge about what works in education into practical guidance for educators. McREL’s experienced researchers and education consultants work together to provide educators and leaders with professional development, consulting, research and evaluation, publications, products, and services to improve instruction and leadership.
What makes McREL’s research different than what is currently available?
For our professional development on instructional technology, we are software and hardware neutral. Rather than promoting any one specific device or app, we promote best instructional practices, ensuring that teachers are matching lesson objectives and learning strategies with their available technology.
We have developed an instructional coaching tool, Power Walkthrough Coach, that helps principals and teacher coaches gather valuable information during informal classroom observations that can be used to drive meaningful professional development for teachers. This is not a personnel evaluation system, but, rather, a system for promoting professional growth and mastery.
Why did you get involved in the Ed-Tech space?
Use of technology in the classroom has the potential to tremendously enhance learning, leading, and engagement. We provide educators with the knowledge they need to match great instructional and leadership practices with the right tools to meet their objectives. We’ve also developed a web-based, mobile-platform system for principals and teacher coaches to use in order to conduct effective classroom observations for teachers’ professional growth.
Tell us about your team and their backgrounds
McREL’s staff comprises veteran teachers, principals, district administrators, and researchers and program evaluators who extensively use technology to enhance teaching, learning, and leading.
What is the next step? What do your current goals look like?
Our goal is to continue to help educators across the United States and across the world change the odds of success for their students through use of research-based, solutions-drive, practice-proven strategies and consultation.
