How Do I determine which Professional Learning Community to Join?
My Choices: Microsoft Educators Community Apple Teacher Google Educators ISTE Professional Learning Networks Microsoft Educators Community: https://education.microsoft.com/connect-and-share-with-educators/connect-with-other-educators I joined the Microsoft Educators Professional Learning Community. The Microsoft Educators Community seems progressive and less focused on pushing their products and services, as many resources, courses and webinars are free and include information about products beyond Microsoft. I don’t want to feel that the community I join is restricting me to focus on using only their tech tools, products and services. As well, all the districts I’ve worked for use Microsoft and its products and this blog empowers my set of goals in extending my Professional Learning Network and collaborating within and across classrooms, districts, and with parents and students. I like that there are lots of choices and ideas of how to collaborate and share ideas in a community and also work independently joining topic groups, completing courses, and targeting specific pedagogical skills when integrating and leveraging technology. One of its sections titled “Microsoft Innovative educator (MIE) programs” boasts that “MIEs… have learned the fundamentals of applying technology in education”. Their message that “This is the first step on an exciting journey of joining a professional network of enthusiastic educators truly appeals to me and my goals. But what sold me was finding free learning and courses, resources, webinars and Quick Tip videos focusing on how to use tools like OneNote, Sway, and Office Mix providing accessible ways to integrate technology into my instruction. After finding many free resources and courses on this on-line network, I began watching a video that was the deciding factor in choosing Microsoft for Educators. In this linked video, I learned about a new collaborative tech tool: Flipgrid. An enthusiastic message about how to empower voice, choice, and collaboration in an inclusive classroom and a network on twitter (#flipgridfever). Back to School Live: https://youtu.be/dfcZ1mMuPck There is a lot to say about this website, but I can clearly see that my PLN goals will be met. I am looking forward polishing my expertise in using Microsoft applications and platforms, so that I can share and collaborate on projects and ideas within and outside of my district. I love that I can easily manage my on-line identity with products linked and used by educators across my province. Microsoft is already a part of my professional identity, and I intend to harness the tools in my education practice and empower myself and others in collaborative conversations. I would refer this community to both classroom teachers, students, administrators, and TLs as well as the other three depending on what your Learning goals are… Apple Teacher: I love Apple products and use a Macbook and Ipads daily in the classroom and at home. Google Educators: I use their products and would like to become certified. ISTE Professional Learning Networks: This is a global network that has no attachments or hidden agenda to sell their products. Delving into the ADST Curriculum involves Designs that involve Human-Centered Design Thinking where students have opportunities to create an infinite number of design models, by solving real and authentic problems that are relevant to their community. This type of learning provides for building authentic problem-solving skills. Maker spaces are effectively engaging when they involve Real-World Connections. Human-Centered Design Thinking paired with ADST requires inquiry, embedded in real world relevant problems with student chosen products as solutions. Integrating ADST with core subjects like science that are involved in real social issues provide for a type of service learning that help solve real-world problems and make student learning meaningful and relevant.
To maintain the elements of a Design thinking classroom, it’s important to recognize that students should be discovering the big ideas through projects, doing research that empowers their ideas and projects, and creating designs in collaboration with peers. In creating these projects in collaboration with other students, they ultimately build communication, public speaking, interview, and presentation skills. The teacher becomes the facilitator and scaffolds the skills of collaboration by offering opportunities and instruction to develop team building skills and shares concepts abut design team roles, reflection, and effective communication strategies. During ADST Design Thinking, Teachers become the facilitator, and students’ interests and passions motivate their designs and creations to reach higher levels of metacognitive thinking. To begin such a project an inquiry is proposed that engages students in authentic problems that are student driven. An example of an Inquiry might be “How can you harness solar power to operate a tool that helps humans”, which is an inquiry that Maine Middle School proposed for its students. Students actively worked together on this project to research, designed prototype models of their choice on the computer, built their product, all while learning content and life-long skills. They were successful in innovation and through discovering solutions, self-assessing themselves, collaborating, they used critically thinking and communication skills to share, modify, and produce the designs of their choice. |
AuthorI've been an educator for 14 years. I've worked with ELL, Aboriginal, Rural, Multigrade, and Urban, classrooms across all grades from K-12 in more than 8 communities in BC and Alberta. I believe in inquiry, and collaboration, and an ever-changing growing practice built upon reflection and a shared community vision. ArchivesCategories |