My trip back to the classroom is full steam ahead. I have been spending a lot of time in professional development. All of it has been via the Internet. It has been exhilarating. I feel like I'm an educator again. It's funny that the more I get into learning, the more I feel like an educator. I wonder how many teachers have lost the passion for education because they have lost the desire to learn. In the past, learning meant going to a local university, doling out hundreds of dollars, and spending valuable time away from home. Now PD is right in your home and virtually costs nothing. My PLN (Personal Learning Network) is growing in leaps and bounds. Education around the world is changing and I am on the front lines. Not because I am cutting edge. I am on the front lines because I am learning from those who are.
I have connected with great professionals like @willrich45, @stumpteacher, @ddmeyer, @toddwhitaker, @globeprogram, @usembassykl (Embassy in Kuala, Lumpur), @robertjmarzano, and many other great professionals. These educational leaders, and many others, have filled my electronic files with great ideas for my classroom and training.
Building a PLN is easy via twitter. I also use Zite. Zite is a personal magazine that is built by the subscriber, for the subscriber. One of our High School Teachers (Beth Leitch) recommended it . Wow is it great. You choose the sections you are interested and then as you read and rate articles, your magazine is built around your interests. I have gotten great PBL lessons, Professional Development ideas, and Staff Tech Training ideas.
I also use Google Reader to follow some of my favorite bloggers.
Between Twitter, Zite, and my Google Reader, I am a completely connected professional.
Do you want to invigorate your teaching? Do you want to update your teaching toolbox to include 21st Century Skills? Becoming a connected Educator is the first step.
I have connected with great professionals like @willrich45, @stumpteacher, @ddmeyer, @toddwhitaker, @globeprogram, @usembassykl (Embassy in Kuala, Lumpur), @robertjmarzano, and many other great professionals. These educational leaders, and many others, have filled my electronic files with great ideas for my classroom and training.
Building a PLN is easy via twitter. I also use Zite. Zite is a personal magazine that is built by the subscriber, for the subscriber. One of our High School Teachers (Beth Leitch) recommended it . Wow is it great. You choose the sections you are interested and then as you read and rate articles, your magazine is built around your interests. I have gotten great PBL lessons, Professional Development ideas, and Staff Tech Training ideas.
I also use Google Reader to follow some of my favorite bloggers.
Between Twitter, Zite, and my Google Reader, I am a completely connected professional.
Do you want to invigorate your teaching? Do you want to update your teaching toolbox to include 21st Century Skills? Becoming a connected Educator is the first step.
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