#21stedchat Archive
Our mission for our 21st century chat is to create a positive 21st century learning environment for our students by sharing resources and ideas that has worked in our classrooms. Join us every Sunday from 8:00-9:00 PM (EST) on Twitter using the hashtag #21stedchat. All are welcome!
Sunday May 8, 2016
Welcome to and tonights discussion about with guest host . & I welcome you PLS Intro
I’m Jill from NC a Personalized Learning Director and co-host of
Happy to be here talking about w/ &
Bill from Charlotte, NC HS Tr.
Hi everyone, Rachelle from Pittsbgh, Span & French T, now have master's in IT :)
Nicole Mackinder, MS Spanish Teacher, Bloomfield Hills, MI
Hi there, Romain from Charlotte. Blended instructional coach. Passionate about
That makes sense. Hope the seas are calm, my friend.
We will us the Q & A to drive the convo but feel free to ask questions you may have.
Let's try this again from my own account... Nicole Mackinder, MS Spanish teacher, Bloomfield Hills, MI. Happy to be here!
Thank you so much for joining - I am excited to have your expertise.
Wish I had that much hair.
Q1: why did you decide to start ?
Amanda Z, Chemistry teacher, Fellow, . Excited to learn from you!!
We have a house full of family right now. but they are dispersing.
A1. I wanted to grow! I needed to find ways to take risks & be better for my Ss & the profession.
Jeremy Math Lansing Waverly HS
Hey , how is everyone doing? Leslie in Mty, MX, attempting some of what I feel like doing after an action-packed mother's day.
A1 We need personalized PD because Ts are at different points in their craft & in order to grow them we need to meet their needs
Hi Julie here from Brandon, FL. Co-founder & VP of consulting co
I am organizing ACTIVE for trs in district. Any advice you could share?
A1: Was already learning from ppl like but showed a system
A1 For me, I wantd more opps, sought ways to find what I needed, wantd to learn more,know more for my Ss
A1. I really want to continue learning and growing. I fear complacency. b/c little benefit from pd offerings
A1. I decided to take on personalized learning as a solution to what I wasn't getting from other professional learning opps.
Exactly. We all learn differently and need different things.
action packed?? Did this include skydiving? Spelunking? Marathon marches? Throwing dice?
A1) When you personalize anything it seems to matter. Engage, Engage, Engage!
Sure.Intro the process before the day so Ts understand how to do it & get most from it. Plus lunch is for collaborating!
Definitely, so looking forward to this wknd
A1: I was seeking out knowledge and skills relevant to me. PD is not a one-size-fits-all model...
Q2a: Jason, how hard was it to start and get admin approval.
Q2b: Do any peeps have it in your district?
A1: I have been in PD that asks us to choose: personal or personalized. Thoughts on this choice?
A1: Didn't know that's what I needed until I realized
a. whole group PD never satisfies me
b. own pace is so crucial to me
A2b Our district is moving toward with district events, book studies, etc. Ts choose for selves
Talking is cool. Some like to reflect. Some like to try it. Some like to read about it, or see it, etc
A2: Anyone can (& should) start on their own. Start slowly, model,& share. will come around.
Ab. Our state and district is starting to move in that direction (edcamps etc) and using micro-credentialing.
A2. Our district is moving towards it. There is value seen in it, working on finding ways to engage Ts in it.
A2b: I think quality instructional coaching is start of Our district offers this opportunity
A2. a) Will be watching for this. Slowly trying to start it! b) I have a few peeps that would jump on board!
Thx. Getting as much info from experienced folks as I can. Always want to learn
We started our own district Twitter chat. Now, our Supt is learning toward giving salary credit to those who participate
A2: There are different variations, iterations, & extents to which schools & districts do Not all the same
Personalized PD is part of the mission of since professionals come from diff backgrounds & strengths
A2b: At we have built a personalizedPD model and we constantly refine it: Digital portfolio, badges right now
A2b Did one time, chose from some session choices led by Ts, would love to do an style PD
How could it be the same if it's personalized?
A2: My district was very supportive. Personalized PD allows teachers to become better at their craft... (1/2)
A2b) This makes me happy to read since I am transitioning to this role for next year! https://t.co/StBT6UzT2M
A2b: I think quality instructional coaching is start of Our district offers this opportunity
A2: Check out what did w/ Feb. challenge or what does w/ comp. time. Differences
A2 I am encouraging Principal at my school to personalize PD. Trs are in so many different stages.
That is awesome!!! And a great rational to bring up this shift in pd. Thanks for sharing!
A2: ...and this allows us to be the best possible educators to our students. (2/2).
A2: ...and this allows us to be the best possible educators to our students. (2/2).
A2: As a PD provider, I often think about how to better differentiate or personalize within large session.
Exactly Julie. Districts champion that their districts & their Ts are all different, & that's OK.
A son with an insatiable appetite, a mommy-itis daughter and an absent hubby! Lots of sitting down to stand up.
Q3a Jason how do your T's get "credit" for their ?
Q3b peeps how does your district record PD? Certs, badges etc
some come from strong background & others but all are a part of edu team & community
I hope the answer contains the phrase " Animal stickers"
Yes Too often we set benchmarks & some think they'll never get there, others are already there & some never get anything
A3b. Our district records PD by certificates. These are issued by the sign in sheets that are collected for PD.
A3b: It used to be a CEU system but I am sure has something more exciting cooking!!
A3b In Aus PL is accredited through professional organisations. In ACT it's the Teacher Quality Institute. 20 hrs per yr
A3b. We record using a program. Enter it in. Can request credit or hours but it is rarely approved. I use to keep track!
A3: We follow the Danielson model & educator effectiveness process, but I'm not sure we argue folks get credit. We learn for Ss
We are trying to move the micro-credentialing. Testing it out with some pilots to work out kinks etc
Why the low rate of approvals?
A3b: At Kennedy middle in Charlotte, I am testing out a badge system with digital artifacts for my 7th grade Ts. Really into it!
A3b We sign in, they keep track, or we submit our own to the state, depends on how delivered.
Does your state WI require a certain # of PD hours a year?
we also have to really get to KNOW people to know where they're starting in order to help them grow
A3 We give no badges & no certs. We treat educators as professionals & learners. Next year we'll pilot ILPs
A3: we sign in at district and school wide PD and our PD records are stored online on kalpa
We have been told if we want to run tech PD's as long as I have an agenda and its 1 hr minimum we can count it.
Our state requires Educator Effectiveness. Our district requires PD hours & Leadership hours. Record activity on GDocs
Just a suggestion & query if anyone has: What about gamifying PD?
Agree - hard to do if the teachers of the PD are with a group for only 1 day.
Wow! How great is that! :) https://t.co/1AjxipwJPY
We started our own district Twitter chat. Now, our Supt is learning toward giving salary credit to those who participate
We have annual professional learning goals - learning is then tailored to meet those goals
Right on. Ask where Ts are & where they want to go for their Ss. Then help and guide. That's the model!
True. If we keep asking colleagues to share what they know,we'll get closer to what we need
Q4: Can "compliance" PD make into ? Sometimes the state just requires us to complete things.
Yes! I have started doing this with my own PD. Using for review/reflection.
It seems so simple, yet people want to make it so difficult.
It might be for some, & you should offer it. That would bog me down & keep me from learning. OK to be different!
There is something wonderful about Ts who are intrinsically motivated to keep learning. They are positive people 😊
we have a whole PD with colleague share outs and we get to make the choice which sessions to attend. Love it!
A4 Some of my PDs are compliance so I use a pre-assessment to determine where Ts are to meet their needs or I give them choices
What do the goals look like? Are we making Ts learn stuff they don't need, won't use,or already know? Hope not!
A4. The key it to take compliance pd and turn it into Create meaningful, applicable pd.
It often boils down to culture - one of knowing & respecting & encouraging each other
A4 Compliance is important where a vision for learning or an educational direction is being set - need to get crew on board
A4. Yes, when you use Ts as experts. Compliance PD is mandatory most times, allow those with the experience to engage others.
What if the T "passes" the preassessment? Do they get credit?
It's good, differentiated, individualized, personalized teaching, right? :)
Same boat here - I get hired to do mandatory PD. I love to use pre/post tools and backchannels like
A4 Maybe if offers room for creativity/ to adapt it to our class/interests/needs,have choice hw to use
The pre-assessment is a gage and then they have to show mastery by completing a task - just like we do with students.
A4: No! At the core of should be (IMHO):
Choice --> Control of Pace --> Personalized Support
(1)
Like does with their PD Why make them site through everything?
No. The teachers are asked to set their own goals. It's both liberating and challenging (in a positive way)
A4 it's up to administration to research other districts as models for how to meet requirements with personalized PD
It makes it very meaningful - highly motivating
We wouldn't be surprised,would we, if we found out that a lot about learning has to do w/ relationships :)
A4: (2)BTW love but offer choice and "speed PD". Personalized support can come through twitter or voxer but more needed
Fantastic! Double Like a great IPA from WI!
Yes! https://t.co/UP70myo2KW
We wouldn't be surprised,would we, if we found out that a lot about learning has to do w/ relationships :)
Q5: How is delivered? Online? F2F? Small groups?
A4. We need more job embedded
A5. ALL- Online, F2F, blended, collaborative
I was able to get CMS Trs 2 start Voxer chat for specific grade levels in . They love sharing w/ 1 another
Yes.
Plus walking down hallway. After school & everywhere. Even on my patio! rocks! https://t.co/X4rc7YHEaL
Q5: How is delivered? Online? F2F? Small groups?
A5. I think any method is fine!! Online can be more approachable for some. Hard to beat F2F. Find what works, do it!
Teachers feel sincerely cared for when principals respect their expertise and allow them to direct their learning
A5 i choose E "All of the Above"
A5: It can be done any way that makes sense to T learning style. I deliver if F2F in CMS and blended with BL. Both can work
Would love it if you join the "International Day" coming in July. More info. coming next week https://t.co/I2jy5niOIx
A5 The point of personalized is to make it the best way for the learner
I am thinking of starting firepit PD on my beach this summer. :-)
A5 Sometimes online (some fab MOOCs) or external day programs, sometimes internal differentiated program w freedom of choice
A5: The minute someone prescribes what format personalized learning should take, the whole idea is contradicted!
A5 Delivery of has to be flexible to meet all Trs needs. Timing is a factor.
Excellent idea Just make sure one of the sessions is July 14 so you can join the "International Day"
A5: What I find interesting is, regardless of vector chosen, how to
a) build relationship
b) follow through
c) collect artifacts
Q6: How are "topics/subjects" determined? Do they need approval?
happens tomorrow, but you're not invited.
That's on your phone in a Lifeproof case..
A6. For certificates yes, the district provides horizontal movement or decertification hours. Though Ts can suggest topics.
A5: Quality artifacts are crucial with virtual PD -->quality coaching + help T get ready to present on topic. From S to T.
A6 They're driven by community need - both Ss & Ts. Sometimes by asking Ts what they want. Sometimes asking Ss what they need
Don't tell anyone, but over winter break I put phone in plastic bag to listen to edcampvoxer Shh!
laptops are waterproof aren't they?
A6. I think the only "approval" they should need is ours. Topics and subjects need to be brainstormed/written down.
It's reasonable for the Mission statement or special focuses of the district to guide Ts two relevant personalized PD choices
A6. Ts are the ones who share needs ideas, admin grants time, scheduling & space.
don't worry. I don't think more that 15 people use Twitter in the whole world
A6 Could it be dependent upon the admin trying to support a Trs development? Some Trs need guidance, blindspots in teaching.
A6 When we have it, dept chairs make recommendations,ask if Ts have ideas, then share w/admin
. Just make sure the time is spent on the learning, not on the artifacting.
Also the number of people that fit in my bathtub. Coincidence?
Communication, communication, communication! It's 2-(well, actually more..)-way! https://t.co/WUBPdGsjJY
A6 When we have it, dept chairs make recommendations,ask if Ts have ideas, then share w/admin
I agree - not every T can be totally self-directed
It's not too late to register for the Edchat Interactive Webinar on Video in the classroom. https://t.co/5gffNzsGSY
Thanks for the shoutout, Bretzmann. :-)
Yes! pools for bathtubs...wait, a brilliant idea coming on- Pool PD!
Q7: Are ready to bring the idea of to your before the end of school? What is your take away from tonight.
Yes some Trs are okay being mediocre :( Hope that is not too harsh, but have seen it too often.
I think not. Twitter is made for also that is also why GHO has a 15 person connections
A6: Topics/subjects are suggested/determined by the individual based on professional need & student need. Then go get it!
A7. Ready to bring it. Will use several tid-bits from this chat. Many thanks!
Andrew that hat in the pic deserves a shoutout
Different strengths & ways of learning = need for personalization
. please tweet out the link to your book again. It is available in paper and Kindle versions.
A7. Ensure that offers many ways for others to interact/engage. Allow for voice and choice.
I know. I'm awful. Had you in my mind,but not in my 140 chars.
It's a good book. I know some of the people who wrote it. :-)
All good. It's assumed that when you tag Cheryl, you tag me.
Having a brief chat with other passionate educators can equip me to make a real difference
Thanks for joining - join us next week Sunday 8:00 PM EST. Topic: Rethinking College
A7 Have sent emails inviting others to this weekend, hope some go, we must advocate
I challenge my admin 2 challenge me. Knows I want 2 be an impactful Tr, so bring me your "A" game. Impactful Trs = impacted St
Thank you Great chat tonight!
and all participants thanks for a great chat tonight!! Learned a ton! Much appreciated!
Thanks to for guest hosting tonight. Thanks to all of you peeps that make this possible every week.
. & I thank you all for participating in each week. We can do it without you.
Join us next week at to discuss Rethinking College with Sunday 8 PM ET US.
Great to connect with you all again at Thanks for the invite Let's keep learning together!
