Keeping the momentum going -- Supporting teachers

[Mike Boulanger]

There is still a buzz around the school after these great PD days. People are talking, taking small steps, big steps and plunging right in to 21st century learning. I'd like to start a dialogue about specific ways we can keep this energy going, NOW!. Not in a month, or next year but NOW! What can I, all of us and the school do to help everyone continue to develop our 21st century elearning, personal learning networks, and curricular embedding of technology tools? I've made some suggestions directly to Sandy and Kirsten and will be following up with them when we meet. We discussed it in the first couple of TAG meetings, but the topic is back on the agenda for this weeks meeting.

What concrete ideas can u come up with.. Let's brainstorm people... One word, one sentence or one long diatribe, there are no wrong answers!!

[Sandy]

I like the idea of a 'computer cafe' that one of the teams mentioned to me. This would mean a weekly scheduled afternoon when peole could drop in to learn more, ask for help, or share ideas. I also like the idea of teams building this into their weekly meetings when team members can share what they are doing. Sharing is the key and well we develop a culture of sharing then opportunities must be made until it becomes part of what we do naturally.
PS have been reading Julie's notes from the conference in Mumbai it sounds fab, lucky you.

[Ana Santos]

Mike, you know I am game!... I think we should have an overall plan of staggered inservice, implementation of tools that are of benefit to us directly in the classroom. Some of them were presented and discussed during the PD sessions. I believe that starting with providing support for those that need it in social bookmarking and setting up a class website on wikispace would be a good start. I believe that we need a little more time talking about Delicious to really showcase to everyone the advantages of this way of organizing our files. The class website is an expectation from the school already, so there is a need. Some of us will be happy with just tackling that for the remainder of the year. Others will be wanting to venture into trying to set up a class blogging wiki (like me). Just like in a classroom we should be able to have a core set of expectations for the whole group, allow time for consolidation of learning but also provide opportunities for differentiation by allowing those that are ready to do more to get the support they need to do so. That's where we are. Find out what your core program should be to suit the needs of the school and then offer the extra to those who want more...

[Robyn Hardy]

One of the things that I see being very important in all this is sharing what we do with our teams. Some people are more comfortable with technology and have already jumped in and tried things, others are feeling a bit more anxious. It would be great if those at each grade level who feel a bit more comfortable could take 10 minutes to share their idea with their team and in that way give encouragement.
Alternatively share with me ( or Mike I am sure) what you are trying and we will work with interested others.

[Julie Lindsay]

one word: Communicate, Converse, Connect, Continue the Collaboration
OK, that was more than one word.....but the idea is not to now go back into your classrooms and close the door. Be visible on the Ning, read other people's blogs and converse about what might be possible.
BTW, I have a list of excellent resources re blogging here http://julielindsaylinks.pbwiki.com/Blogging