#WVEdChat Archive
The goal of #wvedchat is to provide educators an opportunity to connect, share, and learn from others by engaging in conversations around issues and topics in education.
Tuesday June 14, 2016
Welcome to ! I'll be your host tonight. Our topic: Pitfalls of Professional Development. We've all experienced good and bad PD.
Let's start by introducing ourselves for Q0, : State your name, position, location and what you most love about summer break!
First question incoming at 8:05... be ready!
Q0: Randy Black, TSS, Putnam County Schools, I only have a week off this summer!
Welcome ! One week... man that's gotta be tough!
Make sure that you respond with all answers tonight with A1, A2, A3, etc and don't forget to tag !
I'm Rachel, TIS turned 5th gr WV teacher (for now), and in Hampshire County. I love having more time for my own learning!
Could have been more, but taking the new job they let me work everyday through the end of the fiscal year if i wanted
Understandable, ! What will you do with that week off?
July 4th is the Monday; then off to Columbus to see in concert on July 6!
Good evening ! Finishing up VBS Quests during the first part of the chat tonight! I'm Rikki, teacher of students :)))
Q1: This past school year, what was the best professional development you received and why?
Q0: Hi all! Karla from Martinsburg, Spring Mills HS, AP Lit & STEM Academy Eng 10 T.
I adore the super chill family time!
Sounds like a blast ! And welcome and
Family time is great :D I'm not sure my cats like me home more or not...
Q0: Ryan, 6-8 Music in Harrison Co. Love spending time with my dogs and getting married in 1 1/2 weeks
G'evening Jason from Huntington, teacher, TIS, RM for & disruptor of norms advocate
Q1: My best PD has been through Microsoft's Imagine Academy to help me in my new role as a TSS
Hello all! I'm Amber from KCS! It's been awhile, but I'm back. :o)
A1: Classroom management session provided by a psychologist from MU
Hiya ! Glad you could come back and join us!
Retweeting for those who are just now coming in! https://t.co/WqxIZc9AC5
Q1: This past school year, what was the best professional development you received and why?
A1: Also attended a session on Appalachian folk music and history
A1: Best PD of the year hands down were the many, many Voxer conversations with my AP Lit Help buddies
A1: My best PD would be anything hands on, mostly from the technology stuff I went to this year!
I get that a lot......tee hee hee It's also my geocaching name.
A1 By far best PD this past year was self-driven, online, reading, & examining best practices Being pushed by other Ts
Next question incoming at 8:15...
Ahh - gr8 tool for & sharing! https://t.co/9tuyURxDxV
A1: Best PD of the year hands down were the many, many Voxer conversations with my AP Lit Help buddies
Being pushed can open our eyes to new avenues
A bit off topic, but the latest 2016 update on the Mac adds in the Classroom Notebook Tools!
That's okay! This is great news!
A1: Best PD- online chats and our unconferences each nine weeks.
Tell us about your unconferences
Q2: What are some factors that make PD stand out, and be "the best?"
Good evening, ! Just got out of the shower after mowing. How is everyone tonight?
Few years back, county trip had a dulcimer component from excel teacher My skills are lacking though! https://t.co/s9dJ86TJMt
A1: Also attended a session on Appalachian folk music and history
Good evening! Glad to have you join us! We're all pretty swell it seems
KCS Vanguard members would meet every 9wks for a few hours in the evening. Share ideas, lessons, fails, successes
Sounds like something more schools need to do!
Retweeting for those who may have missed it the first time... https://t.co/evdofpi5nV
Q2: What are some factors that make PD stand out, and be "the best?"
A2: The best PD challenges your thinking , leaves you with concrete ideas to try, and the courage to try them.
Q2: makes me think about my own practices and how to improve them
Q2: It's about the learner, responds to needs of staff & students, isn't played or clichéd, creates excitement
Safe space, recharge, inspiring, idea sharing, a boost to keep doing what is great for Ss.
A2: makes me think about my own practices and how to improve them
my shortcut to add A# to my tweets was messed up, had to RT to fix Q# to A#
A2: Gets me involved, is interactive and not just lecture... ZZZZzzz
A2: The best PD is also participatory.
https://t.co/aPjcWXo62C
A2: Engaging. Presenter needs personality and I should leave the session with something I can do in class the next day
I'm leading some PD next week on PLNs and OneNote, they are well over 80% participatory instead of me just showing stuff
A2 PD that allows for practice of skills learned during session-no sit & get
Oops had Q in my mind too. ☺️
Also, my feed is reaallllyyy dragging.
Ts need to embrace this mentality! Ss are our number 1 priority https://t.co/5eoA493ONm
Safe space, recharge, inspiring, idea sharing, a boost to keep doing what is great for Ss.
I can't see the questions???
are you using Twitter? TweetDeck? Participate Learning?
Question 3 coming at 8:25...
A2: engaging, applicable, immediate implementation...
Q3 comes at 8:25 so see if it works for you :)
Tweetdeck & Participate are dragging tonight
A2: Great PD is also challenging! No need for old wine in new bottles.
Q3: What are some factors that make PD fail/worthless to attendees?
Same! Glad I'm not the only one creeping. ;)
A2: Best PD- Choice time for participants (break out sessions), campfire discussions, processing time, active participation
A3: Worst thing ever - When the presenter says, "It's basically what you're already doing." - THEN WHY ARE WE HERE!?!?
A3: Relying too much on a PPT or other presentation tool/reading it.
For those who may have missed it the first time! :) https://t.co/cycotfHTyx
Q3: What are some factors that make PD fail/worthless to attendees?
A3: Another thing that makes PD fail is lack of follow-up. We must know the PD was effective and is being implemented faithfully.
A3: lecture only, not timely, unable to implement immediately, no feedback
A3: giving information that could easily be an email with links
A3: scripting is okay, but don't just read it to me, give me something to show that you actually care about what you're delivering
Oh yes we do! I try to do follow up sessions when I can to provide extra help!
...this sounds like some faculty meetings ;)
A3: I go to my dark place when I'm not engaged. When it's SO sit & git, skull-draggingly boring I become completely disinterested.
LOL I'm going to work that gif into a session somehow.
I think this happens for many, and it's sad because we DO want to learn but we want to be active learners! https://t.co/NO33J3MV0a
A3: I go to my dark place when I'm not engaged. When it's SO sit & git, skull-draggingly boring I become completely disinterested.
It's a visual 4 participants, not a term paper to recite. Know what is important & dev. convos https://t.co/VNxe4i38zQ
A3: Relying too much on a PPT or other presentation tool/reading it.
Question 4 incoming at 8:35...
I'm glad to hear that. Being present is the best way to keep momentum with an initiative.
if only we had more people like you lol
A3: PD Fail- Presenters without passion for what they're doing. We come with open minds & hopes of inspiration for great work.
Nice one! Yes, we want to see your passion for your topic. If you aren't passionate, then why should I care?
So much PD/info. passing out is built into CE/ISE/Prep days-creates animosity when content is not relevant https://t.co/Tq41BtmqLg
...this sounds like some faculty meetings ;)
Not everyone comes with an open mind; I've had some rough groups
This is the majority of the opening days sessions in Hampshire County and it counts toward PD hours
Hey there! Feel free to read through and catch up :) Discussing Pitfalls of PD
& why we need to push for change-PD should be useful & productive for Ts https://t.co/l24Tss8AZ9
This is the majority of the opening days sessions in Hampshire County and it counts toward PD hours
Yes, and that is where relationships need to be built. Get to know people- that is how you create safe space for change.
I think some don't mind it, only because they get 12 hours usually from just those 2 days! Blegh
Q4: How can we improve PD in WV based on our own experiences?
A4: More district seeing EdChats as PD and giving staff credit for it!
A4: We need recognition programs to shine the spotlight on teachers who are effectively applying the PD in their own classroom.
This would be amazing, and it might get more people curious about edchats and utilizing Twitter https://t.co/yI3IvhhODK
A4: More district seeing EdChats as PD and giving staff credit for it!
A4: Be courageous! Get ourselves out there to make a difference in the PD offered at school and district level! Volunteer!
Shout out to for stepping up last chat to offer credit! https://t.co/4kYMog96GI
A4: More district seeing EdChats as PD and giving staff credit for it!
A4: WV is FULL of awesome talent! Tap into it!
Can't find questions... Help. Also, trying to finish a jog after guilted by
A4a: This, of course, requires the follow-up to identify those people. Kids benefit from seeing exemplars - so do adults!
A4: would love to see more of my fellow peers step up to present PD. I KNOW many of them have great ideas, but are afraid to share
Shout out to for offering PD credit in our last !!! https://t.co/9uNzp6Psrp
A4: More district seeing EdChats as PD and giving staff credit for it!
For those who may have missed it the first time and for you :) https://t.co/e5IkDCqcbD
Q4: How can we improve PD in WV based on our own experiences?
We make time for what we value & we need more PD. Compared to MD were I worked before, I've noticed significantly less PD in WV.
A3: top down Traditional PD is a major fail...
A4: I would love to see more voluntary attendance at PD sessions. I had a record high of 5 at 1 of mine this year
Q4: I'd like to see several districts join forces (and resources) and throw a huge .
I hope I was floored when it was posted to group.
would certainly love this! https://t.co/RbfiWXuVHp
Q4: I'd like to see several districts join forces (and resources) and throw a huge .
Absolutely! As says, we are one another's greatest resources. Experts are already in the room!
im not sure how welcoming or supportive districts are to this. I don't feel welcomed to present
A4: Let's do an unconference! You get PD choice, I get PD choice, EVERYBODY gets PD choice! (Thanks Oprah)
Most don't ask for you to. Mine doesn't. I just figured out who got the applications to present PD and did it myself.
A4) more online PD communities that have potential to grow into IRL communities. Build connections! So man WV Ts feel isolated!
Right on! Need a building. The rest is pretty easy.
Truth! https://t.co/yf8fWqOQqC
We make time for what we value & we need more PD. Compared to MD were I worked before, I've noticed significantly less PD in WV.
A4 By expecting better & leading the way-my goal for every presentation/workshop-model what you want other to do
somebody needs to get to introduce this to the TIS Candidate in Beckley this week!
In theory, much like you would do with students in the classroom.
Exactly. It would save money (which we all know is an issue). My district has done it before 4 opening days. Not now.
The wheels in my head are turning...I want to make this happen this year. https://t.co/ss0PrZWLf3
Q4: I'd like to see several districts join forces (and resources) and throw a huge .
And add on it too... Dunno about Lori :)
A4: zoom.us is a great online video conf. tool. Twitter is nice, but sometimes meeting people & hearing their voice is nice too.
Tedex WV? Anyone? Anyone? https://t.co/aGz8JKnEvz
The wheels in my head are turning...I want to make this happen this year. https://t.co/ss0PrZWLf3
Q4: I'd like to see several districts join forces (and resources) and throw a huge .
Yeah get the RESAs involved in it!
There are many great tools out there, but some Ts are very shy about talking/video chatting with strangers
you talking about ? I'm at TIS now
make sure someone is introducing it to the candidates! my brother is there too
If I'm still in WV, I'd love to go to an eastern panhandle one!
Make it mandatory for them to come to our Twitter meetup at ha!
Next question coming at 8:47....
or attend the Live! Session at
It can be positive if done right, too often not though. https://t.co/qMEnCKFECU
A3: top down Traditional PD is a major fail...
And if they don't know Twitter at all, then my Twitter101 session!
Q5: What helpful advice would you give to administrators about offering better PD?
A5: poll your staff to see what interests them and offer up sessions for them based on the response
Use . as a fall Edcamp site during bye week https://t.co/80mc5HH3SC
Right on! Need a building. The rest is pretty easy.
A5: Listen to your professionals and what they need...
A5: Be creative! Ask your teachers what they need. Observe and decide a course of action
it didn't come up today, but 2 days left
Q5: First, look within. What are your best people doing in your school? Let them do in-house PD, equipped and fully supported!
A5: Attend some sessions with your Ts so you can help them follow up on PD together
has quarterly unconferences. We should make it bigger https://t.co/x01N8eQ2lV
A4: Let's do an unconference! You get PD choice, I get PD choice, EVERYBODY gets PD choice! (Thanks Oprah)
A5: Empower your teachers. Ask teachers of all disciplines and experience levels to pitch best practices. I think we'd be amazed.
A5: Secondly, what do your teachers say they need? Go get it.
Retweeting for those who didn't see the first time :) https://t.co/yEoIJZfNmj
Q5: What helpful advice would you give to administrators about offering better PD?
Yes, bigger & publicized https://t.co/qlu18PoesY
has quarterly unconferences. We should make it bigger https://t.co/x01N8eQ2lV
A4: Let's do an unconference! You get PD choice, I get PD choice, EVERYBODY gets PD choice! (Thanks Oprah)
A5: Encourage teachers to share what they've learned with all staff or their teams
A5: Admin needs to be up to date on new trends and best practices. Involved in their own pd
A5 make use of flexible learning environments campfires and cave oh my
A5) Ask Ts what the want/need. So often PDs cover stuff I'm already familiar with. Ask! If you build it, they will come.
A5: Also, keep it relevant.
A5 x2 This nails it! Give Ts choice & impact will be greater https://t.co/azuaOfBhjx
A5: Empower your teachers. Ask teachers of all disciplines and experience levels to pitch best practices. I think we'd be amazed.
Ha! Same brain. https://t.co/GCNSwF4YqS
A5: Empower your teachers. Ask teachers of all disciplines and experience levels to pitch best practices. I think we'd be amazed.
A5: Find a way to encourage Ts to openly share PD with others at school or in district. Give them the support!
Also-this strategy allows Ts to see the awesome in their own buildings. Promotes unity & team building https://t.co/GCNSwF4YqS
A5: Empower your teachers. Ask teachers of all disciplines and experience levels to pitch best practices. I think we'd be amazed.
5 minutes remain... so adding a bonus Q:6 What PD are you most looking forward to this summer?
And everyone feels valued & has a voice. That would ripple well beyond any PD!
A6: Coding with Swift by Apple at
Yes! I got a connction there this spring at . May look into it!
A6: WVSTC! Student Success Summit!
A5 job embedded coaching cycles are a great way to improve practice.
A6: I'm looking forward to presenting on formative assessment and the SBAC Digital Library this summer at TTCCI.
A5: Use the resources you have - TIS or recently trained staff
A6: Reading! Teach like a Pirate and Marzano on tap in prep for NBCT next year
A6: Tech Academy next week and then !
...Unless your district was dumb and got rid of TIS...
I still need to get back to reading Teach Like a Pirate!
A6: Very much looking forward to at SMHS & continuing work with . Much excitement!
My TIS job was eliminated; it's why I looked elsewhere and became a TSS
A6) attending AP Lang College Board training and presenting Lit circles/book buddies in my own county
We got rid of that too. I'm looking elsewhere for a change... either tech or teacher :)
A6 full PD roster in everyone should come out and catch an expedition
