One of the top Ed Tech trends for 2015 is PERSONALIZATION. This is the combination of pedagogy, curriculum and learning environment to meet the demands of the learner. Not only is this relevant to our students but is also relevant to our teachers.
What is Personalization? According to EdTech Magazine it is the pacing, presentation & differentiation of content, along with the creation of a learning path while utilizing relevant material.
When thinking of personalization, how do we create learning pathways for our teachers? How do we provide those self guided, self paced opportunities for teachers to continue to grow as educators? How do we create a space where educators are intrinsically motivated towards continued learning? How do we foster an environment of personalization in professional development?
There are more questions than answers, but for me there are a few answers. First, offer PD in several formats to meet the learning styles of our teachers. This might be online, face to face or blended. Also, provide PD which is more than "sit and get." Our students learn best by doing and staff, probably, does as well. Provide PD at different levels, some of our staff is more advanced than others. Let's differentiate, just like we do in the classroom.
In closing, personalization is key because we were not all made from the same mold.Let's help each other succeed!
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Monday, December 15, 2014
16 Days of Twitter
We began an online professional development for teachers on December 1st. It is called the 16 Days of Twitter. We used Sophia.org as our LMS. The 16 Days of Twitter involves 16 activities to aid teachers as they began their journey using Twitter to build a personal learning network. Teachers and educators are one of the largest groups using twitter. It provides an anytime, anyplace opportunity to continue building knowledge and gaining insight into the field of education.
At a conference this past week, they stated by 2019 50% of high school courses will be offered online. If this is the case for our students, why would we not want teachers to have the same experience in professional development. There was also a tweet reporting the best PD is self directed PD for teachers. With the 16 Days of Twitter, teachers are afforded the opportunity to pick and choose which networks they wish to create in building their personal learning network.
At a conference this past week, they stated by 2019 50% of high school courses will be offered online. If this is the case for our students, why would we not want teachers to have the same experience in professional development. There was also a tweet reporting the best PD is self directed PD for teachers. With the 16 Days of Twitter, teachers are afforded the opportunity to pick and choose which networks they wish to create in building their personal learning network.
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