A chat that offers middle school teachers a chance to have a collaborative discussion about a different topic each week. Our topics change from week to week, ranging from Common Core State Standards to Character Education. During the chat, participants exchanges ideas and resources. The chat group ranges in size each week from 10 to 50+ participants. Discussion can be general talking about instructional style or process to specific. Recently members of the chat group help each other create lessons.
A1 Location 0-500 miles. Time of year doesn’t matter if it’s something I’m interested in. I️ want 2-3 days on concurrent session. With a key note at some point each day #mschat
A1. B creative but B logical. Mid-fall or mid-summer works best b/c of Spring testing. Length depends on breadth of content & audience needs/type. Session lengths should vary (15 min speed learning, 75 min sessions, etc) #mschat
A1: I like spring conferences and professional development opportunities. Gets me re-energized for the final push to the end. That way I can finish strong. #mschat
A1: I like 1hr sessions. Even if all-day training, need it chunked up some too. But I do like the speed-learning concept of even small chunks within that hour. #mschat
Q2: Set up: Convention hall, hotel or school? Keynotes or breakouts? Sit and get vs Hand on participatory learning? What works best... Oh and meals on own or on site? #mschat
A2: I like the keynotes and a variety of session options. Meals on site make it easy to get back to sessions no time BUT it is fun to check out the local food. #mschat
A2: After presenting a 10-min and a 15-min, I definitely prefer one hour sessions.So much more time for thoughts to marinade with the presenter still available for questioning. #mschat
A2: I like it when everything’s contained—staying together for lodging leads to more time to connect, and it’s less stressful if I don’t have to figure out how to get from hotel to site. But I still like to explore the city! #mschat
Q2: Set up: Convention hall, hotel or school? Keynotes or breakouts? Sit and get vs Hand on participatory learning? What works best... Oh and meals on own or on site? #mschat
A2. Depends on what UR trying 2 achieve & audience size. Keynotes R only good if they motivate & connect their msg 2 conference aim/theme. Breakouts R essential but must B vetted well. Hands on & active=best type of learning! But not all want it #mschat
I would love to have a five minute intro for all tables and then the opportunity to visit those that interest me. Titles and summaries don't always properly articulate the subject matter. #mschat
In reply to
@Mr_Bussiere, @JoveStickel, @Beyond_the_Desk
Q3: Presenters: National, State or Local level authorities? Who are your favorites and why? If you were planning a conference who is on you MUST list?
#mschat
A1: I prefer Fall or Spring so that I can implement new ideas at the beginning of the year or spend the summer working through the new ideas for the start of the next year. #mschat
RT: Q3: Presenters: National, State or Local level authorities? Who are your favorites and why? If you were planning a conference who is on you MUST list?
#mschat
A1: Any conference with breakouts that allows multiple means of engagement and the chance for every learner to walk away with something he/she needs = WINNING! #mschat
A3: I generally seek out presenters who are implementing great things in their own classroom. I also love the amazing Debbie Silver and Rick Wormeli for their knowledge and humor. #mschat
Q3: Presenters: National, State or Local level authorities? Who are your favorites and why? If you were planning a conference who is on you MUST list?
#mschat
Q3: Presenters: National, State or Local level authorities? Who are your favorites and why? If you were planning a conference who is on you MUST list?
#mschat
Q3: Presenters: National, State or Local level authorities? Who are your favorites and why? If you were planning a conference who is on you MUST list?
#mschat
A4: If I am traveling for a conference, I want it to be big so that I have lots of session options. However, too many session options can be a little overwhelming. #mschat
A4 I️ have never been to a large National conference but I️ feel that if you are curious and have a desire to grow you can have a great conf. Regardless of size #mschat
RT: Q3: Presenters: National, State or Local level authorities? Who are your favorites and why? If you were planning a conference who is on you MUST list?
#mschat
Q3: Presenters: National, State or Local level authorities? Who are your favorites and why? If you were planning a conference who is on you MUST list?
#mschat
Q5: Learning: Do you desire to be inspired, hear about methods or get activities you can put into action the next day? #mschat Tech or Pedagogy or Specific field?
It's true that some folks get tired of same speakers time after time, so it's vital 2 keep finding new voices in the middle grades! #mschat Got 2 keep it fresh!
Q3: Presenters: National, State or Local level authorities? Who are your favorites and why? If you were planning a conference who is on you MUST list?
#mschat
Which is a shame because they are SO rejuvenating. I’ve said before I could make an entire career out of attending educational conferences. But then there’d be no point to go without students to come home to. 😉 #mschat
In reply to
@blocht574, @JoyKirr, @JoveStickel, @casas_jimmy, @burgessdave, @DaisyDyerDuerr, @mrmatera, @jedikermit
HUGE thank you to @amle for the opportunity ... Loved all of the great teacher presenters there: don't forget @Beyond_the_Desk and @MsAmberChandler they rocked the house! #mschat
In reply to
@DruTomlin4Edu, @AMLE, @bradmcurrie, @ellendamore, @AMLE, @Beyond_the_Desk, @MsAmberChandler
I desire to see people in the same field as me, I like to choose a mix of sessions depending on how I am feel and what I am in need of at the time. #mschat
Q5: Learning: Do you desire to be inspired, hear about methods or get activities you can put into action the next day? #mschat Tech or Pedagogy or Specific field?
When I go with my team, we all choose different breakouts and are not together for anything but the keynote. It’s AMAZING! We expand our PLN and game plan the schedule amongst us for the day(s). #mschat
A5. Hmmm...inspiration is a method I can apply & put in2 action the next day. If I just get a teaching tool but I'm not inspired 2 use it, is it really going 2 affect & inspire students? #mschat
Q5: Learning: Do you desire to be inspired, hear about methods or get activities you can put into action the next day? #mschat Tech or Pedagogy or Specific field?
But we use technology IN our pedagogy, and some of my students’ favorite tech tools have been ones I’ve found in sessions just like that. #mschat There’s a need for all of it.
Great point Dru! We need it all for sure... I want inspirational methods that I can use tomorrow! (Not a fan of just hearing about an app with no Pedagogy in session) #mschat
Yes there is a need for it all... I like session that combine pedagogy with tech best but sometime I feel like a kid in a candy shop without $ if too much tech focus #mschat
A6: I like seeing all of the different products. When our district is looking at purchasing a new program, etc., it's nice to have companies in mind to look at. I just found a great math text company this week that we didn't look at during our last math text search! #mschat
I go in and look to see what would be beneficial to me as a classroom teacher. Vendors are cool when it’s a local conference and you have room for freebies but when traveling it’s hard to take all the freebies. #mschat
I’d like to say I knew the answer to that, but I have no clue. Most people who have stumbled upon my sessions came in because of the title of the session. They spread the word there after. #mschat
A7: #ADE2017 I have NEVER felt more inspired or armed with what I need to be as effective as possible. They build you up as an educator, celebrate with you, and share some incredibly innovative practices. It’s a community of mutual respect and collaboration. #mschat
It is tough vendors keep cost down! Hard to find right mix. I have found cool vendors to talk to that aren't trying to sell but more educate you about product #mschat
A7 Honestly its my @schoology NEXT conference. Love having access to people behind the scenes, everyone is there for a common theme & the new ways to use it. Reinvigorates me. #OMLA2017 is a close 2nd #mschat
