Tuesday, June 18, 2013

iPLC: Planting the Seed Through Staff Development #iPlza13

Notes from iPadPalooza 2013 Presentation

Errin Jennings
Instructional Technology Specialist
Dripping Springs ISD
kimtag.com/errinjennings

Prezi for presentation: http://prezi.com/ye9_bubdlzou

We are using http://todaysmeet.com/iPLC to share ideas for whom to follow on different networks to grow our PLN.

When you introduce something to faculty (or students), communicate clearly. For example, if using a back channel, let participants know focus of comments should be on topic at hand. Just saying "Be professional" might not be enough.

Broadcasting the seed emails - send out little tidbits, and see who bites.

Face to face conversations are still important. If you are a tech specialist, converse with a teacher and ask them to figure out the tool. Then they become your trainer of trainers.

In department meetings, faculty meetings, etc, pick one tool. You or a teacher model it. Watch for it to be used in other classrooms. Celebrate when it is used; help troubleshoot if there are barriers to using it.

Consider flipping meetings. Give info in advance so people can process, then have more discussion at the in person meeting.

PD RULES:
  • Practice First. Never ever use technology without trying it out in the location where you will be using it.
  • One thing at a time. Pace yourself so you don't overwhelm people.
  • Be Authentic. Don't force the use of new technology just because it's cool. Should be appropriate to age and learning.
  • Let others drive. Let other teachers become familiar with tools and share them.
  • Stay current yourself
  • Record & reward good teachers.
  • It's ok to say "I don't know".

NOTE: This is my first ever post using Blogsy, so if there are any link mistakes or massive formatting issues, I will correct later. :-)