#SAMedchat Archive
#SAMedchat is a an excellent interactive forum that discusses the latest in trends, strategies and issues relating to the exciting world of education and school leadership! Please join us on Thursdays from 7 pm to 8 pm, MST!
Thursday May 12, 2016
Welcome to ! Our topic tonight is the PD movement of EdCamps. Please take a moment to introduce yourself: name, role, and location
Hello Adrian! This is Natalie Miller from Kalispell, MT. I am an elementary principal.
Joe Hagemeister, Tech/Curriculum Spec, Bozeman School District
Welcome Natalie! It's great that you are here!
Hello. Bob Connors Superintendent in Glasgow.
I am excited to be here! Great topic choice!
Hi everyone! Crista Anderson. Principal of Dixon PK-8
Good evening Bob! Thank you for joining us tonight.
Chat will be the standard Q1, A1 format. Include on every post.
Dianne 4/5 Teacher from sunny Ca. Thought I'd join as I ❤️ edcamps!
Question 1 is on its way…
Hello Dianne! I'm glad you can join us from sunny CA!
Hi Dianne, Where do you teach in CA?
Thanks! We've been playing around with Edcamps at our school
I'm in Simi Valley, just N of LA
We'll learn from each other today https://t.co/3m7x5nqskW
I am dying to learn more to we can copy you and do them too. :) Excellent PD!
A1: Been to three edcamps, facilitated a session at all. Learned even more from others
A1. We are looking to utilize this for our professional development during the school year.
Never been to an edcamp, I have researched them extensively, used a hybrid model in PD, and I'm helping plan
Wow! Are these full day sessions, some form of hybrid, or both?
Is this at both the district and school level?
1/2 day edcamp plus lunch, sessions about 45 min each
I have unfortunately never attended an but have followed the movement since it began. Have helped organize from afar
I look forward to learning from and working with you!
This will be district wide.
more news to come very soon. and I are in the infancy stage right now.
A1: We've used EdCamps in a hybrid capacity during our monthly meetings. Looking forward to attending a "true EdCamp" session
You may find some help from he helped organize the last one I went to.
What is the format that you have used? How long are your monthly meetings?
In and out of during kiddo bedtime. Attending my first in August.
We should connect you to and they are working on a few things https://t.co/lBWQnEovNa
A1:I have read about EdCamps and heard about the great success... I am wondering how to coordinate it all.
love the idea of edcamp hybrid for monthly meetings, more meaningful than typical staff mtg
Question 2 coming in one minute…
Yes, please! I will follow now. :)
they go a little over an hour. We usually offer four topics -2 the 1st half hour; 2 the last half
happy to chat with you about and help where I can.
I'm curious about helping as a person behind the scenes for a future EdCamp. We should chat
Thank you! I will be starting from scratch; however, I know a will have a team to help!
The beauty of edcamp is that its participant driven. Creates buy-in. Ts are able to take what they learn and use it right away
A2:Ts chose what want 2 learn & where their abilities are in edcamps, trad PD seems to be more what higher ups feel u need
Can you share an example of the options during the monthly meetings? This is all so exciting!
A2: EdCamps give Ts choice and voice in what they want to learn. PD they can take back to their classrooms right away.
Truly applicable PD - Love it! https://t.co/YePQUixOfp
The beauty of edcamp is that its participant driven. Creates buy-in. Ts are able to take what they learn and use it right away
And Ts drive what the topics will be. It's great!
A2: As a higher up, I see the differences in ability and want to make PD more beneficial and meaningful for Ts
A2 I do tech pds for our dist and I am recently provided a gen topic and adjusted cont based on ts desires
Sure! We send out a Google Form to identify areas of interest. Top choices are chosen
Nope - we do it all on site
Thank you so much! I in two Twitter Chats right now... Love this learning! All so empowering!
It takes some convincing of the non-believers! Hopefully once they experience it they see its value.
We need to make learning relevant for all Ss, Ts, and As
This is so helpful! Thank you!
I was unsure my 1st, brought 2 "newbies" to the last 1. They loved it.
Love that you include admin!
It's great to see educators other than Ts joining edcamps. Creates supportive environ in dist
We all need meaningful PD to grow and do what is best for our Ss!
Question 3 coming in one minute…
A2 One of you hit on it. Choice and voice are huge for PD. For teachers and admin...
Is a fantastic chat! I have learned so much from outstanding educators!
Are there many edcamp opps in your area?
Thanks Les, and Welcome to
Q3: As a building or district leader, what do you have to “let go” in order to run a true EdCamp? https://t.co/2d3qe1jJ2G
Sign me up! I would love to help!
Agree - we all want the same thing - to do what is best for our Ss...
A3: We have to let go of doing what is comfortable/normal/the same way each year.
Can be very difficult for some Ts and As at times. Informal edcamps help
A3: As an Admin, I have to let go of what I want to do right now and be mindful of what my Ts need right now
A3 I think I would need to participate first, but let go of expectations since it would be different than what we have done...
A3 I think everyone involved Ss, Ps, Ts, and As all need to be considered eql educators and be open to learning from every angle.
Intentional and reflective implementation...
LOL. Opps can be many things. We had 3 edcamps in county this fall, many more within hour driving
We have to jump in with an open mind.
I like that you included the Ss in your response. Love that mindset!
A3: As talk about getting away from Sage on the Stage. PD is a release of A control. It's what's best for the District.
It was great to meet and connect with you, Erin!
Our field = one that is often averse 2 change. I can't think of any field that needs 2 adapt more.
I agree. Change is our only constant. :)
A3: I need to give up tendency of overplanning. Needs to be organic, passing ownership on to the participants. Risk the unknown
Question 4 coming in one minute...
Q4: How do you address the “unconference” style of EdCamps to those who might be skeptical? https://t.co/yKCEA2gj4Y
I do notice that EdCamps put all on the same playing field -you have to trust in the people around you for the product
A4: I am still trying to grasp this concept. Is this teachers teaching teachers in different rooms, so they have choice?
A4 embrace the unknwn U may be able to contribute, you'll for sure learn, and it's the most real Ed convo you'll have.
"What you want, when you want it." We almost sound like a McDonald's add - EdCamp - I'm lovin it!
Participants ask for what they want 2 learn, someone w/experience leads discussion, leave if not what you wanted
And it doesn't have to be just one person. Multiple Ts can co in the convo.
I try every now and then...
A4: I tell others it is way 2 learn from someone who has been there, informal so ?s are encouraged
This video was tremendously helpful! Thank you! I must share this!
Yes - it does create that gracious space for learning and questioning to happen organically
Best 1s are when it becomes more of a discussion w/many viewpoints than a "session" of learning
You are welcome, and please do!
Question 5 coming in one minute…
I just received this today!
Are you lurking in the background? I notice you liking some of our convos!
A5: pretty lucky in that a TOSA loves edcamp and encouraging dist to follow on many alternative PD options
A5 Organically frm ground up. What is doing at his school started chatter in BSD. People are asking for more
A5: I would like to begin sharing the excitement and the learning opportunities available- share short videos and testimonies...
A5: I think just starting the conversation is an important 1st step. Help colleagues understand what they are + how Ts benefit.
A5: Share some of the articles I'm posting now… Talk about what it could be like to learn through that experience.
This is so helpful! Thank you!
A5 Asking my admin if I can teach a twitter session this fall. Any suggestions?
Thank you. It's bc of Ts like you that I do it!
Thank you! This is a great place to begin with my team!
yes talking about it w/others and participating in some myself
Welcome! I'd say poll your Ts. See what they want to discuss
A5: We began the convo in our PD Cmte. Need to have all levels of buy in. A, T and just as important School Board.
Fellow T has done a few. She may have suggestions
- Can't forget about them too!
Rachel!, That is amazing!!
Had a board member come to last edcamp. Made a positive impression on Ts
Yes - we need to include all stake holders
Super easy. Check out Smore for making one!
thanks for being our mod. Good night
I am grateful for all of these resources! I really appreciation all of the sharing! Our teachers will truly benefit from EdCamps!
Thank you for your insight tonight! I hope to see you around in the future!
A5: 'steal' 's articles and share them. :) thanks for the articles
I'll make sure to archive this edchat and create a transcript to refer back to!
Let's start a to house articles, videos, etc. https://t.co/Knc0q6C2Dt
A5: 'steal' 's articles and share them. :) thanks for the articles
Thank you for participating. I look forward to learning from you in the future!
Thank you for leading a great chat tonight, Adrian!
Great conversation tonight, everyone!! Thank you, participants! Great job in igniting with topic of EdCamp, !!
Thank you for participating! I look forward to learning with you at a future !
