Welcome to #saskedchat - We're so glad you are joining us for tonight's chat. Tonight we'll explore PLC's - personal/professional learning communities.
A1 - Well if I wasn't a part of #saskedchat I wouldn't be learning new things to try ! I learned from @Stella_Pollard about classcraft and was able to try it out during my internship!
A1. The growth in learning that has occurred with PLC's in my short career is incalculable ... from local school PLN to twitter PLC's (thanks @kellywchris for starting me in this format) it has benefitted so many Ss. PLC's are all about them and their learning. #saskedchat
A1: PLCs are teacher driven opportunities for PD. It is so very rewarding to be involved in a group of motivated peers who have all chosen to be there. #saskedchat#eci832
A1. Education is not a one man thing. The more we talk and share, the more we are able to help our students grow! Learning goes beyond the four walls of our classroom. #saskedchat
A1: 1. Support if you are isolated (ie. only Sr ELA T in a school) Or not. 2. To keep abreast of what's new, interesting, and of note. 3. For the emotional lift. (I don't come here for @kellywchris 's humour! :) 4. Because to teach learning, you must MODEL learning! #saskedchat
A2: That's a good question. I've seen some PLCs kind of whither or wane maybe. I think it might help if the PLC is not only being led entirely by one person, but several chipping in. What do you think? #saskedchat
A2. For the Ss in my classroom it has been all about data and feedback as THEY drive my need,and my collaborating T's need, to learn as a teacher and impact their learning as Ss. Student success/need drives new PLC learning. #saskedchat
Sometimes that is a survival strategy. Sometimes there's little trust. Sometimes, you're the only science geek and you get tired of telling jokes no one else laughs at. #saskedchat
A2: Don't PLC just with people who think like you. Ever notice how @kellywchris will challenge/question people's ideas? That's how you make them think; they may not respond right then, but... Teaching=Gardening. (You plant seeds, and sometimes pull out weeds.) #saskedchat
Sometimes when we get questioned on things it can help us to see things in a different light or gain a better understanding of what we are doing/believe in #saskedchat
A3: I've found my experiences in PLCs to be very responsive to the needs of the members. The agenda is being set by those who hope to get the most out of the experience, if that makes sense. #saskedchat
A3. We WILL empathize, sympathize, listen, advise, coach, support, uplift, and truly validate what we are doing for our Ss. No other level of collaboration does this... we can work together but places like #saskedchat are meant for more than just learning all-things-teaching.
I guess that would depend on the definition of PLC. As a professional learning community, I feel #saskedchat fits that description quite perfectly. Even more perfect because we are not restricted by time and location
A4 Keep searching for different topics to try; different ways to communicate (Flipgrid, Periscope in chats) and hey if things flop a bit from time to time no big deal #saskedchat
Yet we are not all working with the same students or within the same mission and vision which are usually part of a PLC in the traditional sense. #saskedchat
A4: Making sure the needs of the PLC continue to be met so it doesn't become dry or a "chore." Keeping those in the PLC engaged and interested in the work they are doing. We tried a PLC group this year and it wasn't the best fit, so fizzled out #saskedchat
Of course it is! As @PrincipalSmart said, we might not be for everyone & that's okay but I, at least, learn here, feel supported here, & feel free 2 both speak up & listen, knowing that I may be wrong but not judged, & that I don't have to agree w/others just 2 belong #saskedchat
https://t.co/yv9ZFaZKRn help to accomplish this in telling us what they need. T's invested in their learning with their PLC benefit Ss. This topic tonight is a great example as it is the first I've seen it and been asked to think this way about PLC! Great job! #saskedchat
Either, or. The second letter, L = learning, is the clincher. How do we provide opportunities for all in a PLC to learn to their potential and are being challenged? #saskedchat
A5. Forever questioning your impact on student learning and then acting tomorrow on the need you found today. Acting on it should include asking your PLC for their advice/best practice ideas! #saskedchat
A4: 1/2 We can't. They're too organic. While every fall Ss are "forced" into our classes, & we are "forced" into work relationships. A good PLC must be natural, changing, and adaptive. But at some point, like any organic thing, it may come to an end. It may be weeks or decades...
I always wonder how people see #saskedchat - sometimes I wonder if there is value in these weekly chats and how we can expand to invite more teachers to take part.
A4: 1/2 We can't. They're 2 organic. While every fall Ss r "forced" into our classes, & we r "forced" into work relationships a good PLC must be natural, changing, & adaptive. But at some point like any organic thing it may come 2 an end. It may be weeks or decades... #saskedchat
A5 with PLCs Ts get out what they put in. One must continually reflect, analyze data and want to improve their practice to improve student learning #saskedchat
Being relatively new to #saskedchat , I can certainly say I see value in the practice for myself. For one, putting me in touch with some professional contacts I wouldn't have otherwise known existed!
A4: 2/2 We can foster, longevity, however, by having open and honest discussion, goals if necessary, and being responsive to the needs, interests, and strengths of the members (Take #saskedchat for example, I'm not a good organizer or planner, but I can extemporize like an SOB)
A6: Take time to reflect on if you are truly working towards your original, intended purpose/goal. Sometimes we lose sight of what we are trying to do. Refocus and start the learning cycle again! #saskedchat
A6. Ask more questions... ask students and check their learning.. then ask more questions and bring them here. Then start over. Keep it going. :) easy peasy #saskedchat
A1. Teachers who are part of a professional learning community recognize their common goal of achieving a collective purpose of learning for all. It enables then to improve their classroom practice & enhance student achievement #saskedchat
Education can be so isolating. Collegial connection is a life line. Diversifying our online PLNs strengthens us! That includes non- educators...would love to see some of those stakeholders join us. #saskedchat
A7: A PLC I was part of at my previous school felt its strongest when the entire body was energized on a topic/need, as opposed to a leader trying to fish for common ground. #saskedchat
A7. One answer.... student driven. Giving Ss feedback and assessing their response to feedback should provide us with understanding of our impact which should then drive our learning in our PLC's. Effective PLCs question continuously. #saskedchat
@jeffpcarpenter@spgreenhalgh if you were to check out #saskedchat now, you might see why there is a whole lot of discussion which is part of the sharing that is done between people in the chat - maybe not links but definitely a great deal of sharing.
Hey, I wonder about me. Do I add entertainment & interest, or am I just annoying & loud? I'm sure that there r some that feel each way & that's fine. The point is 2 get what you need, from the people that appeal 2 u, & ignore the chaff, regardless of how u define that #saskedchat
Amen!! Leaders can not be the drivers of effective PLCs. Our role is to create AND protect the contexts within which they can germinate and grow. #saskedchat
I consider you to be an integral part of the #saskedchat conversation, with part interesting comment, deep wisdom and annoying sarcasm all rolled into one
TA The most motivating things for me when it comes to learning is challenge and choice. I try to keep that in mind for my students as well. What motivates them. #saskedchat
TA: Allow opportunities for students to take charge of their learning and develop in an area of their choice. This could be a personal goal, Genius Hour, Inquiry project, etc. As Ts, we want to improve, and Ss should be given the chance to do the same. #saskedchat
Each week I look forward to #saskedchat and seeing who will be here, hoping to see a mix of familiar and new faces knowing that no matter the topic, I will learn something and be challenged by someone to think differently coming away better than when I arrived.
TA. Had a great experience today with @jacquiewilson99 team teaching character traits, inferring within the text, and how to work with a partner to listen and convey what we learn about these ideas from each other as a team. Great stuff... love Kagan. #saskedchat
Each week I look forward to #saskedchat and seeing who will be here, hoping to see a mix of familiar and new faces knowing that no matter the topic, I will learn something and be challenged by someone to think differently coming away better than when I arrived.
