ISTE 5
Good educators know that
continued professional development is the key to a successful and lengthy
career. That said, professional development is evolving as our world
makes more and more technological advances. Online professional learning
is becoming a commonplace method of professional development.
This week, I researched the
communities, resources, and methods that educators are using to continue
developing their instructional strategies through the effective use of
technology.
The timing of this study was
uncanny as I had just completed a teacher in-service where my fellow teachers
and I collaborated and shared our ideas and successes with incorporating technology
in class and as a school. I find face-to-face interaction with my colleagues to
be especially valuable because I enjoy discussion and appreciate the innovative
ideas that come out of establishing a collaborative culture within our school.
That said, my research allowed
me to discover many methods and opportunities for professional development
through the use of technology. Engaging in professional communities
through social media platforms, blogs, or online discussion boards gives educators
chances to ask questions, develop relationships, and share resources with
educators around the world (EdSurge, 2014).
Moreover, technology delivers
learning opportunities for teachers at the click of a mouse. In fact,
many national educator associations are investing in online courses, videos,
webinars, and more as they strive to provide accessible instruction for their
members. Gone are the days of traveling long distances for workshops and
conferences. Now teachers can sit in the comfort of their own home and
learn about the latest trends in education. Teachers can also find support from mentors and
coaches in online professional learning communities. Feedback on
professional practice has never been so easy! Digital tools also allow teachers
to track data on their students’ performance in a way measures the
effectiveness of their instructional strategies. This measurable data is
useful when debriefing with administrators following a formal observation.
It is clear to me that technology has opened up
a whole new world of professional development possibilities. I still
enjoy collaborating with my colleagues in person, but I look forward to joining
a professional learning community in order to expand my network and learn from
those outside my school.
Resources
How Teachers Are Learning: Professional Development Remix (EdSurge
Guides). (2014). Retrieved March 11, 2017, from
https://www.edsurge.com/research/guides/how-teachers-are-learning-professional-development-remix
Hi Lynnea,
ReplyDeleteI thought it was very interesting that you mentioned using digital tools to measure a teacher's effectiveness. That was something I had not thought of before.
Marta
Lynnea, I agree with and appreciate your following statement: "I find face-to-face interaction with my colleagues to be especially valuable because I enjoy discussion and appreciate the innovative ideas that come out of establishing a collaborative culture within our school." I also see the additional benefits that online learning communities may provide as well. As far as establishing a collaborative culture within our own schools though, I really think the collaboration must primarily come from personal, peer interaction, as online learning communities certainly cannot know our school culture at the same level as our colleagues.
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