After reading Chapter 5 in the book Web 2.0 New Tools, New Schools I realized just how inefficient our professional development courses are for new and practicing teachers. In fact, many of these courses are conducted in large blocks of time without adequate feedback after the session thus promoting teachers to forget the material very quickly. Second, the book mentioned that many times teachers in professional development do not receive the opportunity to practice what they are learning and therefore they never master the subject and rarely use it in their classroom. Requiring teacher participation in new technologies like blogs, wikis, and podcasts in professional development sessions helps build confidence in teachers when it comes down to teaching with technology.
I truly believe that online learning communities can be enacted for professional development and benefit teachers. This can be accomplished through the implementation of several guidelines to make the most of the opportunity. These include establishing a regular time for interaction, sending agendas to members before a discussion to keep it on track, build and maintain an archive where documents can be found and utilized over time, and set formal rules for communication and technology use. Administrators play a critical role in implementing these procedures in professional development.
5:19 am - 10-4-2010
No matter how many great ideas teachers hear about at professional development workshops they will not put these ideas into practice until they have time to practice them. Teachers need time in these seminars to practice what is being preached. The ways most professional development sessions seem to be handled do not allow teachers to put the theories learned into practice. Similar to the way education classes are moving toward more student engagement and participation, the professional development for the teachers need to fall in line with the educational practices. The professional development workshops would be more beneficial and they would also be more enjoyable for the people attending the workshop.
3:57 am - 10-5-2010
It is important we help our current teachers that were not taught the technology we are being taught currently. We as teachers are life long learners.
7:53 am - 10-5-2010
Derek,
Your point on the fact that teachers do not get the opportunity to practice and master their subject is what I find to be a major lacking point in our education system. As stated, maybe the use of technology and PLN’s will allow for teachers around this nation and the world to still have that opportunity to “practice” what they are teaching. That would be an education that I hope we will one day live out for the students of this world and their future.
6:44 am - 10-17-2010
You provided some great guidelines for ensuring success in learning communities.