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Want to be a great teacher? Don't go to PD. - 6 views

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    I have led professional development, and shaped a series of professional development classes, to assist teachers in the adoption of one to one laptop programs. Saying that, I couldn't agree with this blog post more. The dynamic change in resource for teachers, and the ever shifting landscape of technology, makes many teachers feel a sense of frustration in attempting to get a handle on what's "out there". This post articulates, and I believe my experience validates, that the answer to engaging these issues does not lie in more and more professional development, but rather, assisting teachers in the creation of their own learning networks for both support and guidance. PLN's are not only more effectual, professional development is expensive. I brought someone in to help our teachers establish personal PLN's, but I don't believe I properly considered how important this was to the process. As I'm quickly learning, PLN creation and engagement may well be at the foundation of any school transformation. ts
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    In 13 years of teaching, I remember only one PD that was worth its salt. The gathering included a presentation pertaining to the use Microsoft Excel to organize various educational particulars. However, on the other hand, that we then acquired GradeQuick, EasyGradePro, and finally another grading program rendered any and all information acquired during the PD moot. I did use Excel, however, to organize data related to my other job, that having been the management a large private club along the lines of a Moose, Elks or Legion. But getting back to the link, I have to admit that I was very amused at the attached video which showed two professionals trapped on an escalator. The situation brought to mind a quote from Robert Pirsig when he wrote: "It is a puzzling thing. The truth knocks on the door and you say, 'Go away, I'm looking for the truth,' and so it goes away." … In summary, that most PDs are constructed from detached administrators who have lost touch with what is actually occuring "on the ground" may be partly responsible with the author's dislike of PDs. ...Regarding assisting teachers in the creation of their own learning networks, I can point to a wonderful article on the benefits of having "exemplary" teachers in a school. http://www.citejournal.org/vol1/iss2/seminal/article1.htm
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    >>As I'm quickly learning, PLN creation and engagement may well be at the foundation of any school transformation. This was one of those "wow" statements for me, and really hit home. I'm currently in Australia finishing up some PD in online curriculum design with a group of really talented teachers at MLC School. While I'm not ready to throw out live PD (we learned and did so much in 3 days!), your sentence caused me to reflect on the importance of teacher education programs and schools helping teachers learn how to establish a successful PLN that meets their needs. Love it...thanks for helping me to refocus with this simple and powerful statement.
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    At first I laughed at the video on the page because I thought it was funny that the people were unwilling to move without the assistance of others until I realized that at one time I was one of the people on the escalator. I believed strongly in learning from PD and did not have many contacts or connections. It was through those PD sessions though, I was able to begin building a PLN. I was able to acquire email addresses and phone numbers from members attending, and they were able to give me access to links, listservs, web blogs, etc. to increase my knowledge. I have access to free PD when available through my PLN. I'm not quite ready to give up my PD, as I still glean useful information and contacts from my sessions to add to my PLN. I believe that PD should be used to enchance your PLN and allow you more opportunities. The PLN should not be the end of PD either. Both should be available to allow users to expand their knowlege.
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    What a great visual of such a helpless attitude that schools and teachers can have! It was interesting for me to read how PD can be a lazy approach to professional knowledge. I had never quite thought of it that way before but it makes sense. It is knowledge that is handed to you rather then knowledge that is discovered. In a lot of my EdTech courses I have learned that learning is done best when there is some form of personal interaction. It makes sense that PLNs are a better way of motivating and learning. I really enjoyed this article and love seeing visuals like this that connect to a bigger concept. Powerful stuff!
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    Timothy, what are your thoughts on the future of PLN's at your workplace? What can you do to help guide the process? Perhaps a final project could be be related to this topic?
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    If I were to be honest (and I guess, why not), I would like to develop professional development that would assist learners toward meaningful understanding and engagement of PLN's. For me, the missing link is the PLE. I'm still grappling with that myself. What should my computer screen look like? I get your dingo's, the elephant head thing, tweetering, et al. I still struggle with a mental picture of how my new computer screen looks. What exactly is going on there? I think that is step one in this. Somehow. I'm going to figure this out. Somehow. And yes, I get the irony of posting a PD is dead reflection-and than wanting to create PD. Kind of not functionally getting it.....still missing something visually.....hmmmmm.....(love the process though:)..... ts
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    Timothy, I am confident that by the end of the term you will have a handle on this brave new world- including your computer screen.
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Celebration African Drumming in Melbourne - Slashdot - 0 views

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    Rhythm Connect is among the top most names that have engaged in providing African Drumming Workshop in various schools, colleges, offices, religious gathering and family celebrations. Efficient artisans operate these workshops.
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African Drumming Melbourne Team Building-Rhythm Connect - 0 views

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    Now you can hire African Drumming Team in any family or official celebrations. Rhythm Connect is engaged in providing this opportunity to their customers. The modules are developed in adherence with traditional music.
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How to Use Social Networking Technology - 4 views

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    This article describes what social networking is and why teachers should use it in schools. It brings up a lot of good questions about how social networking can be used in the classroom. The article also addresses a lot of the issues involved in bringing this type of technology into the classroom.
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    I know this article has already been posted, but I did find some things in it very interesting. First off, the article gives us a good definition on what social networking is. They define it as any software that allows people to come together around an idea or topic of interest. This gives is a good insight that is is not just a simple chat site. Secondly, they pose a great question, "How do you keep students from wasting time chatting or sneaking to inappropriate sites?" I love their answer, "You teach!" I don't think I really need to go into that any more. If the teacher is teaching, and the students are engaged, this shouldn't be an issue at all.
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    Hi Jodie, how might you see yourself using the information in this article for your personal teaching/learning situation?
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    Jodie, I especially enjoyed reading your post because it correlates with my the topic that I just posted. I liked the reference to renaming social networking to academic networking. I do feel that high school is a great place to start fostering learning with creative online social networking technology. I would like to incorporate a global social network with my ELL students. Thanks for sharing your post. Brenda
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    The term "academic networking" does have a more scholarly/work-like tone to it... Is this good or bad? Has anyone seen this term used elsewhere?
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    I am now a member and follower! Looks like a great place to network and find jobs.
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PLN: Your Personal Learning Network Made Easy - 1 views

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    There is a neat video in this blog that explains a PLN's in a really simple way. Very creative and informative.
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    Abigail- I like this simple, concise definition of a PLN- "the entire collection of people with whom you engage and exchange information, usually online." Also, the description at the end of a video regarding the role of the instructor in this type of learning- "learning architect, modeler, learning concierge (I especially like this one!), network sherpa" etc.
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    Abigail, I am a big fan of the Keep it Simple concept. I do not think that social learning is complicated, in fact I think it allows students to individuate and respond to questions more easily than in a classroom setting. The instructor is an important facilitator in this process because they can structure the learning to meet the needs of the learner and class. Thanks for sharing your post. Brenda
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Do PLN's Lead to Dissatisfaction? - 4 views

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    This was an interesting blog post that essentially asks, is it better to remain uninformed? This is a very real question for the passionate educator. Once one connects in to best practices, it can become increasingly difficult to abide in the current practice of one's own school. As an example, my wife is a nationally board certified teacher, she works in a private school with great resources (her third grade classroom is one to one laptops) , but through fairly poor leadership, the technology largely remains outside the circle of meaningful practice in her school. Her peers largely rejected any thought of instructional transformation, and as a result, her school has essentially provided every student a laptop computer to utilize as a sixth textbook, or a word processor. Being a progressive educator, engaging in professional reading, and attending conferences, can be incredibly frustrating when one understands the possibilities and sees dynamic change occurring elsewhere. It's almost like you are standing outside the gate, seeing the party, but have no means of entering. This might seem like whining, and the comments in the post somewhat bear that out, but it is part of the burden one must assume in working to create change. So, is ignorance bliss? In all honesty, sometimes it can feel so.... ts
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    If I may... There just may be areas of life about which we are better off not knowing, but I'm not sure. Then again, I'm happy that many hostile biologists do not possess the sequence and the genetic code for the small pox virus. Your addition to this page does raise some interesting questions.
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    Whenever I read or hear "Ignorance is bliss" I can't help but see thee image of Cypher chomping down on a huge steak in the Matrix. While there are definitely areas in life where mankind should remain ignorant (nobody wants that seventh grader bringing a laser gun to class), teachers being more aware of better practices or what's happening in more technologically advanced schools is one of them. Seeing these new ideas can lead the teacher to ask, "How can I make that work in my classroom even if I don't have everything they have?" At least a passionate educator might. The dispassionate educator probably isn't even utilizing a PLN.
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Facebook as a Tool for Learning Engagement - 1 views

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    Learn more about how to effectively use Facebook as a learning tool. Most importantly, learn what Facebook isn't in terms of educational use.
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The Innovative Educator: Listen to a Principal Who Knows Banning is the Easy Way Out - 1 views

  • Sheninger understands that while banning students from technology and social media is certainly easier, his job is not to do what is most convenient, but rather what is right for our students.  As a result, Sheninger publicly embraces the use of social media for himself and for his students.  
  • Sheninger, considered to be one of the most innovative principals in the country, will be joined by several of his teachers, students, board trustees and members of his community to discuss how New Milford High School uses technology as a student, parent, and community engagement tool.
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