Instructor: Mike Fisher, 716-566-8986, mikefisher.pbworks.com
It's no secret that many teachers operate as islands, in a world filled with students operating as continents. Meaning, isolationist teaching in a collaborative era is undoing modern educational initiatives. Our world is demanding a new digital pedagogy, where we train kids for jobs that may not have even been invented yet. It is essential that teachers get on the digital bus and start cruising down the information superhighway. This wiki is intended to be a launching pad for professional growth and learning through technology, looking at where we are, where we should be, and how we are going to get there.
To begin with, take a look at component 5 of the ISTE National Education Standards for Engaging in Professional Growth. We are in a race--this is our starting line.
Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership:
Teachers continuously improve their professional practice, model lifelong learning, and exhibit leadership in their school and professional community by promoting and demonstrating the effective use of digital tools and resources.
Teachers:
exhibit leadership by demonstrating a vision of technology infusion, participating in shared decision making and community building, and developing the leadership and technology skills of others
evaluate and reflect on current research and professional practice on a regular basis to make effective use of existing and emerging digital tools and resources in support of student learning
contribute to the effectiveness, vitality, and self-renewal of the teaching profession and of their school and community
*From: The ISTE National Educational Technology Standards (NETS•T) and Performance Indicators for Teachers
How Can Your Learning Network Help You?
How can your learning network help you?*
By helping you to sift through all the data to identify the information that will be most useful to you.
By helping you to identify learning resources and opportunities.
By coaching you and answering your questions as you try to apply your learning to your work.
By sharing their wisdom with you through dialogue.
Building a personal learning network requires that you not only seek to learn from others, but also that you help others in the network learn. Even when you are a novice in a field of learning, you can still make contributions. Did you read an article that might be of interest to others? Then distribute it to others in your network with a short note that you thought they might find it interesting. Did you hear of a conference on the subject? Let others know about the program and speakers and, if you attend, circulate the notes and papers you collect to other network members. Escalate the power of that network by using Twitter, Facebook, Nings, Wikis, Social Bookmarking, etc. Every connection you make increases your power as a learner and an educator. Ultimately, this on-going professional development has a major impact on student learning and achievement.
A personal learning network can be your most powerful learning tool no matter what the subject.