Professional Learning
Janet Corder
Introduction
Descriptors
Integrate Web Tools into Your Lessons
Learn what the integration of Web 2.0 tools means for your classroom. This session will help you find good Web 2.0 integration ideas.OR...
Watch Your Classroom Explode with Cool Web Tools
All you need is a computer or device and an Internet connection to transform your classroom into an exciting learning community. This session will highlight free web 2.0 tools for all grade levels and curriculum areas.
Session descriptors can make or break your professional learning. If your descriptor is boring, you probably want have many attendees unless it is mandatory. You want educators to be excited about what you will be sharing.
Things to Think About When Writing Descriptors:
- Write about the intention of the workshop instead of the tool being used.
- Focus on what happens after the session as opposed to what will happen during the session.
- Can you weave the conference theme into your description?
Marketing Your Professional Learning
Online Invitations
Send online Evites to your PL. Many of the sites send periodic updates to remind your staff about the upcoming event.
EventBrite
Punchbowl
Reserved Seating
Issue a ticket for technology training reserving a seat for the attendee. Click here for an online boarding pass template.
Themes
Teachers/staff will remember you and your session if you associate a theme with the training. A theme is a hook that can help start your PL off on the right foot! Below are a few examples:
- Teach Like a Pirate - Decorate with pirate hats, patches, gold coins and strands of beads. Open your session with the Play Doh activity from the TLAP book. Focus on how to implement the PIRATE strategies in the classroom.
- Getting Groovy with Technology - Dig out your 60's bell-bottoms, tie-dyed shirts and peace signs for a fun theme that's sure to to make your PD fun for everyone!
- Time Out for Technology - Wear a referee’s jersey, black pants and a whistle. Use popcorn, peanuts, and chocolate footballs or basketballs for snacks.
- Home Run Technology or Opening Day in ___ ISD - Wear baseball jerseys/t-shirts from your favorite or local team. Use popcorn, peanuts, hot dogs, bubble gum and apple pies for snacks. Give away baseball cards and tickets to a baseball game
- 911- Help is on the Way! - Dress in scrubs. Ask your local pharmacist to donate pill bottles, make labels and fill with jellybeans.
Your Twitter PLN
Twitter
Build your own PLN on Twitter. Whether you're a lurker or a heavy-duty Tweeter, you will discover some of the best PL ever!
Click here for a great Twitter Guidebook.
Great Educators to Follow:
@NMHS_Principal@TinaTechNJ Twitter Chats occur when a group of people tweet about a specific topic using the same hashtag (#). By using the same hashtag, participants can all follow along and respond to questions posted by a moderator . The chats are at a specific time and usually repeat weekly. Find a Twitter Chat that interests you on this Google Doc.
Read more: How to Participate in a Tweet Chat by Janet Fouts
Using Twitter for Professional Development
How to Use Twitter Chats to Expand Your PLN
A New Kind of Twitter PD
The Twitter Question of @ and .
The PLN Matures. The Progression of the 21st Century Personal Learning Network
Book Study Recommendations
Be Inspired! We have been greatly impacted by Dave Burgess and his book, Teach Like a Pirate. It will change the way you look at how you look at education.
Be sure and follow Dave - @burgessdave and follow the hashtag #tlap.
Digital Leadership
Administrators...this is the book for you! Eric Sheninger, a former New Jersey High School Principal, focuses on moving schools forward in the digital age.
Follow Eric - @E_Sheninger.
Professional Learning Activities
Thanks to April Riley from Aledo ISD in Aledo, Texas for sharing this idea!
Field Trips - This is one of my all-time most popular Professional Development days! Your staff will not want to leave at the end of the day.
Teacher Playgrounds - Meet off campus (restaurant, local business, etc.) and let teachers experiment and learn about new technology.
Appy Hour - Meet at the local Sonic during their Happy Hour and share new and favorite apps.
Summer Learning Series
Summer Learning Series
Short & Relevant PL
Lunch and Learn or Power Lunch - Short training sessions during the lunch hour are extremely beneficial to the members of your school district.
Teachers in different grade levels and disciplines can share their ideas at these sessions throughout the year. The presentation should be easily repeated and a handout made available or put on a shared drive. Videotape the sessions and post them on the district website so that people could come back to it for review or for those that could not attend. Don't forget to bring a snack to share!
Lunch & Learn/Power Lunch Ideas:
- Nuts About Nearpod - Nuts or Nutter Butter Cookies
- Go Noodle - Ramen Noodle Salad
- Socrative - Sock It To Me Cake
How About Breakfast PL?
- Rise and Shine - Providing training before school may be the only time that some employees can attend.
- Tacos and Technology - Provide breakfast tacos
Here are just a few more…
- Mobile Monday
- Wired Wednesday
- WOW Wednesday
- Tablet Tuesday/Thursday
Contact/Follow Janet
Twitter: @corderj
Google+ - +Janet Corder
Website - www.j2training.org
Pinterest - www.pinterest.com/janet_corder