Welcome! #ETCoaches Today we are going to be chatting about Personalizing PD; Finding what works for your district or school. It is time to begin. Please take a minute to introduce yourself. Where are you from and what do you do?
#ETCoaches - I am in PA and an online ETCoach. I am also one of the leaders of this PLN and filling in for our scheduled moderator. She will be back with the same Qs tonight at 8pm ET. Let's get ready to roll :)
Hi Ryan! Welcome to the chat. How is the weather out in Iowa? We finally reached 60 today after a COLD winter. I think that I am excited as the kids! #ETCoaches
A1: It allows teachers the opportunity to collaborate w/ colleagues at similar "places" in their practice. It also helps to seek out others with similar interests/passions #ETCoaches
A1. Well, I think the relationships established may be on a deeper level, as coaches may get to know the teachers and their learning styles better. Teachers would also feel more valued, as learning would be personalized. There are a lot of variables. #ETCoaches
Greetings from Chicago! ed tech, secondary ed #ETCoaches
A1 Personalized PD meets teachers where they are. Learning choice makes it relevant for them, which is more engaging.
A2: Most topics are created at the district/school level - but we also have individual professional development plans (IPDPs) that are personalized. #ETCoaches
A2. I would have to say BOTH because our coaches and curriculum specialists choose most of the topics, but they are chosen based on teacher interest and need. #ETCoaches
A2. I would have to say BOTH because our coaches and curriculum specialists choose most of the topics, but they are chosen based on teacher interest and need. #ETCoaches
Q3. To benefit from personalized PD, teachers and staff have to reflect on how they learn best. How do you get teachers to engage in this type of reflection?
#ETCoaches
A3: we've started this process recently by implementing more teacher observations of other teachers. One of these observations & reflections needs to be a recording of their own lesson. IDK if this helps w/ how they "learn" ... but instead what they want to learn #ETCoaches
Yes, we have done interest inventories also. Honestly, I love creating the surveys so much! We get to put so many ideas out there and see what clicks for most and then set-up more personalized or focus-groups for other topics. #ETCoaches
A3. In late April (or May for that matter) it is hard for us to find teachers willing to take the time to reflect. We find it best to offer the time during already attended meetings, not asking them to use their planning time (or off-hours) in Spring. Such a busy time #ETCoaches
A3 This would be a growth area for us. Some have shared their learning-style strengths in the past on surveys, but scaling it would be helpful. #ETCoaches
Q3. To benefit from personalized PD, teachers and staff have to reflect on how they learn best. How do you get teachers to engage in this type of reflection?
#ETCoaches
That is a great idea - I am sure they get additional ideas for their own classrooms. Have the teachers been pleased with this new process or more reluctant of more observations? #ETCoaches
#ETCoaches - you are right they size does vary. We are a larger district with 8 elementary, 2 middle, and 1 (very large) HS. We tend to do groups within buildings as much as possible. I think optimal numbers are 4-12, could be increased.
A4. We have actually started to allow webinars (from select folks) to count as PD credit. @CommonSenseEd, edweb, @SFLOK2Ask, and a few others. This way teachers can choose their own PD and submit the cert when completed. #ETCoaches
Oh yes, our local conferences are also an option. Thanks for the reminder ;) Our district will pay for any subs needed, but not the full price of the conference. A4 #ETCoaches
Q5. There are many online resources designed to assist in personalizing PD. Does your district use Bloomboard/Digital Promise, Future Ready Teachers, or another resource?
#ETCoaches
Q5. There are many online resources designed to assist in personalizing PD. Does your district use Bloomboard/Digital Promise, Future Ready Teachers, or another resource?
#ETCoaches
A5. We don't use these specific online resources specifically, but we do use the others that I shared in my previous post. Has anyone tried any of these listed? #ETCoaches
Q5. There are many online resources designed to assist in personalizing PD. Does your district use Bloomboard/Digital Promise, Future Ready Teachers, or another resource?
#ETCoaches
A6. We are in the beginning phases of badging for PD. We started with baby steps of badging for @MicrosoftEDU and @Schoology (since both already offer badging). Teachers seem to like the badging options. #ETCoaches
Q7. Many districts have mapped out personalized PD pathways such as: instruction, technology, communication, collaboration and leadership. What priorities has your school or district identified?
#ETCoaches
A6: We have not. But an organization in our network of Jesuit schools, JVLA, is doing some interesting work with badges & microcredentials. https://t.co/7FQITMSNCy
A7. We have personalized PD with instruction, technology, and leadership at this point. I don't see as much with communication or collaboration. #ETCoaches
Thanks for joining our chat today, during this busy season! We will be back tonight at 8pm ET (same questions). If you couldn't join us this afternoon, we hope to see you later. Have a great day! #ETCoaches
