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iPLC: Planting the Seed through Staff Development

Errin Jennings

Updated Aug. 5, 2013

Transcript

Developed over 60 different staff development sessions:

Face-to-Face
Moodle
Eduphoria: workshop
Edmodo

Death by Meeting

by Patrick Lencioni

"Still, punctuality notwithstanding, it was no surprise that any excuse to miss the weekly meeting was welcomed by Casey's team. In fact, it was somewhat rare that all six executives were present for the entire 'staff infection,' as the sessions jokingly came to be known."

"But the meetings were not a joke when it came to their impact on Casey's company. They were the birthplace of the morale problems at Yip, the single point from which confusion, dispassion, and ultimately, lethargy emanated throughout the organization" (p. 38).

PLC's and staff development workshops provide teachers the opportunity to learn new tools and techniques to use in the classroom; more importantly, however, these trainings can be the venue for modeling the use of best practices and innovation. Try out some of the ways we've successfully planted the seed to support our teachers on their voyage of technological discovery and application.

http://todaysmeet.com/iPLC

Plan some time.

Even if it is 5-10 minutes a day!

How do we move teachers forward?
Sharing the tools you "discover" through your PLN.
"Broadcasting the seed" emails
"Planting the seed" questions with individuals (where they are)

PLC's, Department Meetings, Faculty Meetings

Pick ONE tool.
You or a TEACHER Model it.
Look for it's use in the classroom.

What tools have/could you use to flip a meeting:

Google Hangout
YouTube
Email
Other...

Rule #1: Practice First. Never ever use technology without practicing it first in the location you will be using it - and still expect some happy accidents to occur. If things go "wrong," you are still modeling how to adapt and be flexible.

Rule #2: One Thing at a Time. Do not overwhelm yourself or others.

Rule #3: Be Authentic. Do not force the use of something new, just because it is cool. The technology should ALWAYS be relevant to the content you are presenting. Know your audience and model how THEY can USE it RIGHT NOW in THEIR CLASSROOMS/LIFE.

Rule #4: Let Other People Drive. Provide the opportunity for someone else to explore the technology and present his/her experience. This may happen after a "planting the seed" conversation. Now, you are truly planting the seed and letting other's grow!

Rule #5: Stay Current. Building your toolbox of great technology to integrate requires staying current. Create a Professional Learning Network -- and start SMALL.

Rule #6: Classrooms as Laboratories. Build relationships with teachers willing to take a risk and experiment with something new in their classrooms. Video tape the lesson and share with others. Cover classes so that other teachers can observe.

Rule #7: Reward the Risk-Takers. Whether the end result was great or not, celebrate the courage to try.

Rule #8: It's OK to Say "I Don't Know, Let's Figure it Out." You are not expected to be the expert in all cool things. Empower others to help find solutions. We're a TEAM!

https://sites.google.com/site/myinstructionalobservations/home