#westedchat Archive
A monthly combination of several midwest state chats representing ND, MT, SD, WY, and ID.
Wednesday February 24, 2016
11:00 PM EST
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Theresa Carter joining from North Idaho; implementation specialist for
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always great when and come together!
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Hi! Janet Avery from Jerome, Curriculum Director and moderator of
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is a chat for Western states. We take turns hosting.
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Kirk here from the Chicago Northshore. Teacher of 6-8th grade double accelerated math in a flipped classroom.
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I am Sheli 2nd grade teacher from Twin Falls, Id
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Hi Theresa! Glad you joined us tonight!
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Shannon 4th grade teacher and technology instructional coach
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Hi Sheli! Glad you made it!
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This is my first time with .
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Welcome Kirk! So glad you could join us tonight!
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It's 's fault...this is how I spend my spare time now :) Ha! Love it
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Good to be in with our friends. Hope we have a great PLC with from
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We will use a Q1, Q2… format for Questions during . Please use the A1, A2…format for your answers.
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Question 1 is coming up in 1 minute. Be sure to use the hashtag in each Tweet.
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Hello, and ! I'm Dani from . Excited to be chatting about PLCs.
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Tami Rigby, elementary resource teacher and Tech Int Mentor in Idaho Falls.
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Q1 – What is a PLC? Don't say Programmable Logic Controller! That's a real thing!
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Or better yet, use the hashtag so all participants can see! :-) https://t.co/XYMV9MhR67
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Question 1 is coming up in 1 minute. Be sure to use the hashtag in each Tweet.
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Hi & This is Bobby Glen James with CharterTechSupport. Luv This Topic!
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Woo Hoo! is representing at tonight! :-) Hi Tami!
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So glad you made it Dani!
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A1: A PLN is a collection of connections with other educators that influence how I teach and learn.
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Friends in - we also have participating in the chat tonight. Pls use that hashtag as well.
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A1: PLC - Professional Learning Community - usually a group of Edus working together on a common goal.
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I had an awesome principal who introduced our faculty to PLCs in 2002.
We planned, observed each other, gathered
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A1: PLC: a group with joint norms, goals, and values with student learning as their driving focus.
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A.1 A community of learners with diverse experiences but working toward a common goal
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A1: Personalized Learning Community
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Love the observation part of this - did you have conversations about that when you "gathered?"
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That's too easy. What IS a professional learning community?
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A1 I’ve always thought of a PLC as a group of learners who are interested in a similar topic.
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A1: Place to get trusted answers...and, 2nd opinions. & 3rd...
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Awesome description! https://t.co/nBNxEgDrV2
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A1: PLC: a group with joint norms, goals, and values with student learning as their driving focus.
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When I taught I was involved with my dept as an in person PLC, now most of my learning takes place online.
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A:1 PLC's are Fun & Educational. Like This. Connecting & Sharing.
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Kiely! You came! Awesome!
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Yes! "trusted answers". Sometimes it is about having critical conversations - trust is key. https://t.co/U2ePKKWRXi
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A1: Place to get trusted answers...and, 2nd opinions. & 3rd...
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I second the motion. Nicely put.
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A.1.1: Thinking partners :)
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A special hello to a few of the UEN Connected Educator course participants who are joining us tonight.
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PLCs and PLNs both have great purposes would you consider them to be the same? (sort of off topic)
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A.1 PLC is a group working toward a common goal with focused effort for common planning and results driven changes
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A1: I *love* this definition for a PLC! https://t.co/dX5UnMTSQ7
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A1: A PLN is a collection of connections with other educators that influence how I teach and learn.
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This is a great description of the relationship between PLC members! https://t.co/lt7IrUCDHL
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A.1.1: Thinking partners :)
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"Learn from failures!" That sparks my joy to hear you say that!
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Good to see you again Tami - we missed you at in Oct.
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A1 I'm excited to try social media in my PLN. I can't remember what a PLC is even though our instructor told us.
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A1: a PLC is meant to be a collaborative group but in practice depends on the people involved & school expectations
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"Trusted answers" Your PLC knows and understands! https://t.co/ujWvhHWjbb
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A1: Place to get trusted answers...and, 2nd opinions. & 3rd...
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A1: I think online PLCs can be every bit as effective, if not moreso-- there's more accountibility and usability online#utedchat
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What's the difference between a PLN and a PLC?
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thinks so, Shannon--he's the co-author of our book club book
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That sounds amazing. Online PLCs have the ability to reach learning when it needs to happen.
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YES key factor-no understanding by participants & leadership of the purpose of PLC, then they are just "meetings"
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That sounds interesting. Most teachers attended?
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Oh man! Sad I missed it, I am working now to get a date scheduled for
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Online PLC opens you up to more choice, more answers, more ideas, more sharing, breaking boundaries of familiarity
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Love this question. Ideas?
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A1: PLC=Tier 1 kiddos, and one of the few times in Title I that we get to focus on the majority.
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Q2 – What does a PLC look like in your school? What would you change or add?
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Welcome to the chat! Tonight is too - so be sure to use that hashtag. :-) https://t.co/SqVgDWesRj
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Hi I'm Richard McMaster. I am new to chat, so I'll do my best to join in tonight # westedchat
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That is one of the things I think we miss in these rapid fire chats - wait time. Let ideas marinate.
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A2: We have at least monthly meetings and a shared digital space to collaborate
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A2: departmental support and collaboration first for sure
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There may not BE a difference - except that PLNs are related more to virtual spaces, PLCs are F2F https://t.co/ESO3RC39LD
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What's the difference between a PLN and a PLC?
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I will use the hashtag. . . Thanks for the reminder.
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"Wait time" Yes. A bit of anonymity. https://t.co/5tDEQaK3bf
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Gives people the wait-time they need, you hear from people that are quiet in group scenarios, and you get to do PD in PJs
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We're in year 2 of having monthly half-day planning meetings to look at long-term issues. Helps PLCs tackle big ideas.
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- We’re hosting tonight as part of our chat. If you can use that hashtag you’ll be part of the larger conversation!
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Speaking of marinating, where is
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I think when a F2F community uses an LMS as an online platform, those lines blur some :)
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Are these grade level specific, or are they organized around a "topic?" https://t.co/eJENgaTEje
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A2: We have at least monthly meetings and a shared digital space to collaborate
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A2: At my school the PLCs are within grade level, but meet in common room so we can collaborate across grade levels.
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A.2 In our district we have late start Monday. 1 hour a week dedicated to PLC time. We are making progress this is year2
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I would agree. :-) Especially in your situation!
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Hashtags make your own content discoverable and allow you to find relevant content from other people and businesses.
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A2: As with everything: time. Mainly to work together to develop a common agenda.
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A:2 Our schools use prof dev opportunities to grow PLC's within the staffs.
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A2: Everyone across district in each grade level has common plc time twice a month.
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We have several for things like PBIS, tech integration, subject vertical, and grade level
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I really like this approach our weekly 1 hour meetings get hijacked all to often
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What is one suggestion you'd recommend for buy-in?
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Kiely, are they grade level teams? Admins ever come?
https://t.co/m2Jlnc7Ias
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A2. We have PLCs once a week. Our district coaches attend our meetings 1x a month. Teachers plan the agenda and run the meetings.
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A2: Our district has weekly collaboration time every Friday (early release for kids)...the intent was PLC time.
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Great idea to have different PLCs meet in the same room. Like in edcamp, gives you chance to move around.
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A2: except me. My counterpart and I have no overlapping common plan time but that's okay. I don't miss it and we rock it anyway
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A2: PLC in office looks like lunch! Sometimes we make more connections over food than in a scheduled meeting.
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It was expensive to fund subs for each team monthly, but really worth the expense.
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A2: As a substitute, I work with the teacher and the principal at each school I go to. .
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Even in our blended schools--the ones who utilize some form of online space report a richer experience
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A2: Like, G-Classroom idea. We like to use our chatboxes on our emails to ask each other for help with basics.
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There is something about connectedness that allows you to broaden your horizons! :-)
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So you all meet at once just in small groups in same area? https://t.co/1O0iaVaLFD
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A2: At my school the PLCs are within grade level, but meet in common room so we can collaborate across grade levels.
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PLCs should always have food.
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the blended community is a great resource! I love connecting with people across the state that way!
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I thought food was a requirement for a PLC. I’m eating right now…
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A2: when I taught we used video conferencing, email, and after school face to face. I'm not seeing any questions.
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A2; As a substitute I work with the teacher and the principal.
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One thing I learned from during PD is that good food = good moods for learning.
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That is the key.Some teams are further than others but participant control over goals has been a big issue for us
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Yay. Always looking for ways of making that better
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The power of a Twitter PLN - You can eat, be in your PJs, etc and learn from great folks! :-)
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Hi You are back! Awesome!
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Could you drop some food in a dropbox? ha ha
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me too! Yay for ice cream and PD in PJs!
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A2: For me is part of face to face staff meetings. Typically topics our admin chooses Like idea of an online format
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A2: PLCs at my previous school - created/compared results from common formative assessments
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A2 cntd: it is always interesting to see how PLCs look and run differently at every school in my district
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This can lead to great conversations! A great use of PLC time!
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Example? https://t.co/1UFxg5CKye
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A2: Like, G-Classroom idea. We like to use our chatboxes on our emails to ask each other for help with basics.
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Q3 Do you ever have the opportunity to watch other teachers teach? How would that be valuable opportunity?
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A2: Also, sometimes dread pd, but honestly it makes for another amazing PLC opportunity I end up loving
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A2; Its all about the food. .
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That's awesome! I felt like it was a great use of our time.
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To what extent is teacher voice heard? Just curious :)
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A3 I haven't had that opportunity yet this year but in the past I have and it is always great to see what others are doing!
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A3: In my position, I get to see other Ts in action all the time! Then I get to share the greatness I see w/others.
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A3 - Watching others teach has been huge for my learning. I’ve seen so many great Ts in action. Makes me up my game!
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Do the Ts like the Principal coming? Increases awareness & empathy? Collegiality? https://t.co/YDDdbRZVFN
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They are grade level teams. 1x a month across grade level at faculty meetings. Our principal comes at least 1x a month.
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A3: I do wish I got the opportunity to watch other teachers teach more often, both at my school and at other schools
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A3: Our MS Ts go and see each other at least twice a trimester. They let the principal know who they visited.
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A3:LOVE watching other teachers for ideas and strategies. It's like watching other moms and taking back what you like.
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A.3: In my job, I get to watch others teach all the time. My favorite thing is connecting them to other teachers. Powerful
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A3 Going to try it at our school. Hard cause we have a small staff. I've visited other schools to watch. Learned lots
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A3: Not this year and I really miss it! Would love cross grade, cross school observations! SO powerful!
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Ok - this is awesome Lewis. So great to learn from one another
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A3 watching yourself via video is just as huge, however! -scrunch face-
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You and I are writing nearly the same responses! Great minds, right? HA! I love it
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A3: We have also begun instructional rounds at the MS. Dept chairs decide on problem of practice.
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One thing to try is . T's can set up a device and just broadcast their classroom to another T
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A3: Then they go around to classes as a team to look for bright spots and wonderings - then they share with staff w/strategies.
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A3: Yes, scaffolding at its best. Some of the Ss too, when it comes to tech stuff.
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A3: When I taught in MD, learning walks happened regularly. It was very helpful. I'd like them in UT, too.
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Had Ts to film themselves for a class I just taught. All were reluctant, but upon reflection, loved it
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I've had some very effective time during summer collab. If done right, can be very good
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Excellent point. I'm hooked on Whole Brain videos right now! Learning a great deal! https://t.co/OtgYFyFb3h
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There are endless opportunities to watch other teachers teach online.
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A.3 We have some observation days available in the district but some buildings do a better job of quick observation btwn Ts
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I can google learning walks...but I'd love to hear about them from you :)
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A3: Our new Ts to the district film themselves, and then watch with their mentor.
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A:3 Our teachers often share training tips learned in PD workshops that others can't attend.
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Yeah, it's sooo hard to watch yourself at first! (what am i doing with my hands?!?
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I video myself every year. It is odd at first but really shows me what I "miss"
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I also like to see what student work is displayed. What are S working on in 2nd grade or WE https://t.co/4auawGZxAi
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That is my definition of torture...but I sure learn a ton about myself. :-)
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LOL or " I really need to comb my hair before class!" :)
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Principals had chilling effect, when joining one brainstorm session with teachers.
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Falls under the “do what I ask, not what I do” method of PD. ;)
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Good point. Maybe we should record ourselves and send to colleagues? https://t.co/ZReMKviE4A
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There are endless opportunities to watch other teachers teach online.
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A4:Of course! any collaborative learning with a shared goal, right?
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A.3 Are there certain technologies ppl use for recording their teaching? Favorites?
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A3: I notice I have to present it in my own way, using their ideas for more effective results.
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Confession time - what are your unconscious mannerism while teaching? I say “does that work” way too much.
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A4: YES! Especially the "chat" parts! We share ideas, learn from each other, ask critical or probing questions!
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A3: Yes, I get to observe 2 teachers each quarter. I'm there to advice, but I always leave to great ideas for myself!
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Is there a Question 3 yet? . .
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A4: I feel like they are. We're working with others and we all have common goals
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A4: Same goal of improving instruction, but more of a PLN than a PLC in my eyes. PLCs are more focused on YOUR Ss.
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Learning Walks! Sounds great. https://t.co/IXuHVGF1CL
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A3: When I taught in MD, learning walks happened regularly. It was very helpful. I'd like them in UT, too.
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I think I missed Q4. I see answers but not the question.
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A4: Absolutely. is huge opportunity to connect & learn. Also, up-to-date.
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A4: I also love the fact that we are "just" Edus - no "titles" attached when we are chatting.
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A4: is a PLC if people are sure to reply to each other and make a learning experience out of it. Otherwise, no.
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a4 I think they are. I've got lots of help from that I shared to my school. Love it.
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A4 edchats are definitely PLC! Now I need to convince admin of that... Twitter is blocked @ school.
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The format was a little misleading--they asked if these chats are PLC's-
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my students always make it a point to tell me my weird mannerisms. Like looking up weridly when I laugh.
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Just like with a PLC - you get out of your Twitter PLN what you put in to your Twitter PLN. :-)
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A3: I learn a lot from observing other teachers and try to incorporate their teaching styles into mine. . .
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PLN or PLC is what changed my mind about using Twitter. Once I connected with others is when Twitter took off!
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Jazz hands. I use way too many jazz hands while I teach.
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Share with them the number of admins that they could connect with! ;-)
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Yes these chats are PLCs/PLNs! I get great ideas from these and feel recharged after them!
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I'm still not sure. Are PLN and PLC synonymous?
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Probably really depends on the principal. Some are warmer than others. https://t.co/hPECwTt5bg
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Principals had chilling effect, when joining one brainstorm session with teachers.
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Exaclty! Without followup questions and answers, we aren't putting much into it.
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YEP! These chats are one of the reasons I have been professionally "saved by Twitter!" https://t.co/pZLM63UcDw
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Yes these chats are PLCs/PLNs! I get great ideas from these and feel recharged after them!
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I am treating them that way. I look at them both as groups of learners with a common purpose.
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I tend to wander around too much.
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A4: If we only used our in-staff PLC, us "inactive" educators would be sad.
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A.4 I always thought of PLC as F2F with norms and smart goals etc. definitely rethinking that 2nite. I am convinced chat is PLC
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A4: Escheats like and are PLCs, hyper PLCs or “MicroPLCs” - fast and furious, and self selected.
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Q3 Do you get to observe other teachers and would that be valuable?
Q4 Are & PLCs?
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A3: I really learn a lot from observing other teachers, and try to use their ideas in my teaching. .
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Yes - these chats help us reach beyond the walls of the "Brick and mortar" school building!
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A4: Edchats like and are PLCs, hyper PLCs or “MicroPLCs” - fast and furious, and self selected.
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so true for me too! It opened my eyes to so many great people and ideas Twitter PLNs are the best
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Maybe it's our district's def'n of what PLC should look like. Conversation is limited to Tier 1 Ss, not general discussion.
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Nice description. https://t.co/iEtvckOvJ0
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A4: Edchats like and are PLCs, hyper PLCs or “MicroPLCs” - fast and furious, and self selected.
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I like the self-selected part , and the pajamas.
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But I was wondering what escheats were.
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Proximity, yes, inability to stay still longer than 5 seconds, not a good thing.
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Sharing is definitely part of the SAMR model! https://t.co/KX8JuPcZqH
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a4 I think they are. I've got lots of help from that I shared to my school. Love it.
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Like the term “microPLC” - almost like a micro burst that describes a quick moving storm. Lots of energy.
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Q5 How do you document, share or archive resources with members of a PLC that aren’t present?
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A4: Looks like it is to me. Discussing ideas with one another. . .
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A4: Looks like it to me. It's nice not to feel isolated.
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A5: I think that's the easy part-- when it's saved digitally-- on my twitter feed, email, fb, it's accessible always!
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A5 In Twitter using a hashtag is a good way to document the discussion. We also use Storify each week to archive our chats.
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A5 we use a shared Moodle page for PLCs or recently Google Docs.
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A5: PINTEREST is the freaking best!
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A5: I've been sharing links & resources to our social media pages & blogpage.
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A5: Google Forms -> Google Sheets. Easy to share with missing members or admin.
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A4 definitely PLN. It's better than in school PD cause you can choose way you want to learn!
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A5: I use to archive weekly chats. I also use it when I tweet from a conference.
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A.5 I will admit for our F2F PLC I am terrible about keeping up if I miss the meeting. For online we always have the archive
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So have I. Thanks everyone for sharing. Btw, just got home from tutoring Native Am. Kids. https://t.co/W2BT1wUvVW
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a4 I think they are. I've got lots of help from that I shared to my school. Love it.
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A.5 cont. But I will admit I don't often get to archived discussions online. Either always too much new info to go back
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a5 Usually take notes on a doc then share it to those who were absent.
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A5 We use GoogleDrive for a lot of our sharing
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A5: Many groups in our district collaboration time is documented using a shared doc
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Used Google Drive to takes notes for in Oct. Gave others a chance to read what we discussed in the session.
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Yes I observe other teachers and it is valuable.
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A5 I liked using a shared google drive to share and document PLC.
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For we create a shared GSheet with links to shared GDocs for collaborative notes for each session.
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I think there may have to be a space between the two hashtags.
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That sounds interesting - does it sync with your Twitter account?
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Good point - I often wonder who reads minutes from a meeting. Much rather watch a video.
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Oh yeah. I just heard of that!
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A5: and twitter with hashtags. .
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"Q6 up in 1 minute... It should be a doozy, so just follow my lead and watch out for the key change!" Quoting
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Hey, when does normally have its chat?
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real time....or is there a delay? Have you ever tried ??
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Q6 Have you ever considered a SLC? What would a Student Learning Community look like?
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I would rather read info than watch a video. Maybe just me. I read faster than a video plays.
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is last week of the month on a rotating basis between MT, ID, WY, SD, ND, UT, and NV-when that state has their chat.
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Good point Tasha - there are times reading notes is faster. Usually just have video playing in background.
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A6: would teachers be involved, or in what capacity would a slc be used?
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A5: Facebook and Twitter.
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Next week will be leading the discussion on Making the Most of UCET! Join us 9 - 10 3/2/16
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Funny, funny ha ha Hack! Good thing you have so many endearing qualities! https://t.co/dDQjVF0Ivb
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My guess is a SLC would look like a city around a big church in between huge mountains and a salty lake.
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Glad I'm not the only one!
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A6: SLC that is an interesting concept, particularly in sped. Worth thinking about for sure
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A5 I've also used google drive but found it slow during the last 1/2 hour of school when I needed to use the resources
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Thanks for joining us! Watch for the Storify. Keep talking, collaborating & learning. You are AWESOME! Know it!
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What a great tonight. Fun to have our friends from join us. Thanks to for leading out. Next week
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Ha ha good point! I'm guilty of deciding to watch videos "later".
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Doesn’t an SLC take place after school in the hallways.
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A.6 It is an interesting thought. I have done 1:1 learning discussion and goal setting but not much group disc with Ss
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A7: eye opening, revealing, self directed
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Goodnight everyone! Great edchat, !
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Thanks to and for hosting this evening! Next month will be hosted by
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