My work as a teaching administrator and two posts today contribute to my thinking about the importance of just-in-time PD. If you have been following my blog, you will have noted the importance I place upon this type of professional development. TK34’s blog entry is well worth reading as he explains how he has taken on a leadership role (for Moodle) in his school.
Jennifer explains Viral Professional Development in her blog and recently stated, “The best thing about it is the way we are able to share our stories and learn from others with similar experiences. I love when I mention VPD and someone tells me something new they are trying, or how they finally feel people are listening to their messages, because they are not being delivered from a podium.”
It seems to me TK34 has put into practice what Jennifer is talking about.
The idea of professional development not being delivered from a podium reminds me of a colleague who teaches third grade that I met with on Friday after school. I have been providing support to her as required as she experiment with new tools. I told her I was going to blog about her when she asked, “I would really like to meet with you towards to the end of the year as I start to plan for next year. I’d like to sit down and look at my year and figure out more ways to integrate technology into what I am teaching. The kids are so excited to do these projects and I want to do more with all of these tools available to me.” As I have been working with her, I too have learned about the practical aspects of using technology with primary students.
My first reaction was to say absolutely…you bet….I’ll be happy to meet with you. In fact, I am going to do more than that. I am going to invite a few colleagues who have expressed an interest to get together by my pool over summer with their laptops. We can enjoy the sun, work with each other to learn more about technology and enjoy each other’s company.
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I started working with our grade 2&3 teacher before Easter on a class blog for her students. It’s been great fun because her young students are so excited and can’t wait to write on their blogs. I’ve been having fun commenting to them about what they write. I agree with you that it would be great to get together with fellow staff to plan together and share what we know about technology. Have fun by the pool!
By: Kimberly Brown on April 6, 2008
at 9:00 pm
Recently, I was able to sit down with some teachers on my staff and discuss some new technology ideas and ways to implement technology into their classes. While a lot of this is new to them, they were receptive and I think look forward to some of the activities we want try. I guess we’l just have to keep plugging away.
By: Dave on April 7, 2008
at 1:19 am
Laptops and a pool…great P.D!!!!!
Jealous!
By: Shaun Loeppky on April 9, 2008
at 4:29 pm