WAIT, WHAT???
Living in a rural location, I had less opportunity to register for university courses that those in urban areas. I also started to raise my family, and had taken four maternity leaves, returning to teach in my original field of study after each short break…and they were short in those days! I argued that my participation in annual provincial specialty association conventions, and regional workshops showed commitment to furthering my studies in that field. I also explained that there was a strong local professional learning community in my area which met regularly to share new ideas and learnings. I won my argument, and had my credits re-instated. These points are still legitimate, today.
If I could manage this type of professional connectivity and strength of purpose in the 90’s, when my distance education relied on Canada Post, just imagine the possibilities in 2018! So, what will I do to maintain this exploration and development? I intend to follow the same guidelines that I so confidently presented in the past:
• Participate in my Provincial Specialty Associations: BCTLA, and BCTEA offer conference, online learning, and summer institutes. Websites include links to blogs, and twitter feeds.
• Attend regional workshops: work with regional TL’s to ascertain if we might apply for a chapter grant for development of workshop and sharing opportunities in the Okanagan. For example, BCTLA tweeted information about an interior-based summer institute https://twitter.com/bctla/status/999812996380610561 .
• Local professional learning community: Plan for annual development and sharing meetings for district TL’s. Many of us are new to the position, and need the input from those who are veterans. New blood (especially those who are currently taking TLOC or other TL courses), bring new learnings and inspiration to those who may need a fresh view or spark to their professional development.
In 2012, University of North Carolina School of Information and Library Science published a document (slides) outlining how teacher librarians can be teacher leaders in the Professional Learning Communities model which I found useful. http://www.ala.org/aasl/sites/ala.org.aasl/files/content/conferencesandevents/ecollab/resources/ecollab_plc_slides.pdf
WORKS CITED:
Martine, L. Wait, What? iMovie (May 2018)
https://twitter.com/bctla?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fbctla.ca%2F (May 24, 2018)
Hughes-Hassell, S., Dupree, D., and Brasfield, A. Making the Most of Professional Learning Communities. KQ Webinar (December 2012)
So what I think I hear you saying, Martine, is that you are above all a life-long learner who can tackle any topic that serves your practice. In my blog, I wrote about self-efficacy as one of the most important factors in whether or not a teacher successfully integrates technology into her teaching. It sounds like you've got self-efficacy in spades!
ReplyDeleteI also perceive that collaboration is very important to you as a learning strategy for yourself and a teacher mentoring piece within your role. It makes me think about the guided release model of instruction we use with our students: I do~we do~you do. Our colleagues sometimes need this too as they strive to hit the moving target that is technology!
That's right, Kim. Modelling for our colleagues is definitely part of helping me to continue learning!
ReplyDeleteSome important ideas here that I am glad you are embedding in your practice and professional role moving forward. The concept of a Professional Learning Network is not new, but there are many technologies and opportunities that exist now that make them so much easier to maintain and support. A couple of good ideas and suggestions here to keep you abreast of whats happening in your district and community, with some opportunities to stretch further afield. A good start to the discussion and some good rationale points made. Useful bibliography.
ReplyDeleteLori, Thank you for your links to more information on Professional Learning Communities.
ReplyDelete