Its About Learning AND Sharing
A recent Twitter post inspired a great exchange between me Jennifer Marten,@jenmarten. I wanted to share this conversation because it epitomizes what effective educators are about. Effective educators should be about learning new information that will make a difference in their schools or classrooms and making sure that students in classrooms reap benefits as well. That’s the essence of a PLN – helping other educators help their students.
I’m Not Going to Convince You That You Need a PLN http://t.co/TLfBRFyKDY
— Derek McCoy (@mccoyderek) April 21, 2014
@jenmarten I think the better question is ‘If you learn something and don’t share it, did you make a difference?’ — Derek McCoy (@mccoyderek) April 21, 2014
@mccoyderek “So, my question is this, if you learn something new and you don’t share it, did you really learn it?” http://t.co/6wVME5quOF
— Jennifer Marten (@jenmarten) April 21, 2014
@jenmarten I need people to help me impact the learning and teaching in my school
— Derek McCoy (@mccoyderek) April 21, 2014
@mccoyderek I’ve learned so much from others I work with; can’t imagine NOT sharing. Learning doesn’t happen in isolation.
— Jennifer Marten (@jenmarten) April 21, 2014
@jenmarten We have to have a lot of conversations and continue to change mindsets at all levels
— Derek McCoy (@mccoyderek) April 21, 2014
@mccoyderek. Yep. We need to be comfortable learning from & with each other. Imagine the modeling that would do for our students!
— Jennifer Marten (@jenmarten) April 21, 2014
@mccoyderek Exactly, and sometimes there are growing pains to go along with that growth mindset. Change isn’t easy but it’s worth it.
— Jennifer Marten (@jenmarten) April 21, 2014
Thanks Jennifer for this great conversation!
Take a moment to reflect on what your PLN means to you or better yet, what you want your PLN to do for you! Now’s the time to engage with the difference makers who will help the learning in your classroom! We are all committed to growing students!
Google Form as a Walk Thru Tool for Data & Feedback
Our school uses GoogleForms for an informal walk thru observation tool. Since we began using iPads at the beginning of the year, the GoogleForm is great, convenient tool to gather data we use for planning professional development and other needed training. We’ve recently discussed the need for a good way to get feedback back to the teachers. From prior experience, I know there is no simple solution for this. I discussed with my team some alternative strategies but promised them a solution.
I turned to my PLN for the solution to this new century problem. I need to thank Jayme Linton, @jaymelinton, and Lyn Hilt, @l_hilt, for responding immediately to my request for help. I’ve spoken to Lyn before this and we made little headway. This time, she referred me to a tweeted post from Jayme on this topic. From these sources, I created this instructive presentation with text and screen shots. It starts with some basic instructions on creating a simple form then goes into the directions for creating the email feedback.
The data we collect from this form is a great step. Adding the feedback to it allows us to give teachers time and opportunity to reflect and modify instructional practices.
Hope this helps. I know it will go a long way in our curricular, instructional, and training talks.
