How to Prepare the Professional Development Activity Plan form
for Submission to the GREAT Centers

This document gives Professional Development Trainers a clear process for completing and submitting Professional Development Activity Plans to the GREAT Centers. The information required on the PD Activity Plan is used by TCALL to announce and promote professional development opportunities in Texas and is shared with Texas LEARNS and the Texas Adult Education Credential Project. In order to serve all of these purposes, it must be submitted in a consistent format.

TCALL’s goal is to collect and disseminate this information as accurately and efficiently as possible. To make filling out this form easier, we have added some suggestions and online resources that should improve the consistency and accuracy of the postings on the TCALL website.

STEP 1: Download the PD Activity Plan form

For everyone’s convenience, the Professional Development Activity Plan has been added to the Project GREAT area of the Texas LEARNS website.

Scroll down the page to link to Project GREAT Resources & Publications. The Professional Development Activity Plan is located on this Resources page. By downloading the form, you are assured to have the current version. The form is a Microsoft^® Word document. You are required to fill out the form and submit it to the GREAT Center as a Microsoft^® Word document.

Any time you need a copy of the Professional Development Activity Plan, it is available on the TCALL website.

STEP 2: Complete the form

After downloading the Professional Development Activity Plan form, you will be able to edit, save, and send it to your GREAT Center as a Microsoft^® Word document attachment.

I. Activity Overview (Abstract) – Craft your abstract carefully. This section may be used in the statewide events area of TCALL’s website and for Course Descriptions on the GREAT Center websites.

II. Objectives – directions on the form

III. Reference Resources – APA Style required. Because of the many ways that this information is used, we ask that you follow APA Style so that ALL necessary information is included, and so that the information is presented in a consistent format. (Helpful APA online resources and Web examples)

World Wide Web Resources – Websites listings must also follow APA Style. Any websites you list must be verified and active. Website addresses do change from time to time. Check ALL websites before submitting.

TCALL’s website is required to be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Websites that are not “active” MUST not be posted.

Follow APA Style; be sure to include the site’s proper description, download date, and Web link.

IV. Instructional Activities -- directions on the form

V. Materials Needed -- directions on the form

VI. Questions for Understanding -- directions on the form
(the evaluation form used post-training may include some content questions)

When you have completed your form for this Professional Development Activity, SAVE the form as a Microsoft^® Word document so that you can send it as an attachment to your GREAT Center.

STEP 3: email the completed form to the GREAT Center

You must send your completed form to the GREAT Center in electronic form as a (Microsoft^® Word document) attachment. The GREAT Center Director will review your PD Activity Plan and contact you if clarifications or revisions are needed.

Here are some excellent online resources on APA Style:

1. The Texas A&M Library page for Citation Guides - The APA link on this page takes you to a two-page APA reference that covers 95% of what you need to know.
2. * Very Cool! A useful online tool is the APA & MLA Citation Machine - Directions for using the Citation Machine are on this page. You select the type of resource you want to cite. It presents a form that prompts you to enter the required information for that particular type of resource and then sends back the citation in both APA and MLA style. 

* Other Online APA Resources

1. APA Citation Style – Long Island University (color graphic examples) 

2. APA Style.org electronic reference

3. Citation Styles online

4. Ohio State University - APA Citation Guide

5. APA Interactive Tutorial

Web Citation Examples: Here are two websites and their proper APA citation:

http://www.cete.org/acve/textonly/docgen.asp?tbl=pab&ID=88

http://www.cal.org/caela/esl_resources/digests/ProjBase.html

Imel, S. (1998). Using adult learning principles in adult basic and literacy education. Columbus, OH: ERIC Clearinghouse on Adult, Career, and Vocational Education. Retrieved October 24, 2005, from Ohio State University Center on Education for Training and Employment Web site
http://www.cete.org/acve/textonly/docgen.asp?tbl=pab&ID=88 

Moss, D. and Van Duzer, C. (1998). Project-based learning for adult English language learners. Columbus, OH: ERIC Clearinghouse on Adult, Career, and Vocational Education. Retrieved October 24, 2005, from Ohio State University Center on Education for Training and Employment Web site http://www.cal.org/caela/esl_resources/digests/ProjBase.html