Comments on: Learning and Professional Development

By: Jady

Jady — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 02:18:09 +0000

I get excited about new things I find on the internet to use in my classroom. I share it with other teachers and they give me that pat answer “That’s neat but I don’t have time to learn how to use it.” I had mention previously about our district tech cordinator he has just about given up because there are only a few people who sees the light at the end of the tunnel.

By: lowell

lowell — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 23:36:44 +0000

“Many other professions provide their workers with up-to-date trainings on things that would help them excel at their job (or make the company better).”

Actually, that’s not any more true for Business than it is for Education. As one who used to do that training for business and industry, let me assure you that the disconnects are pretty much across the board and as egregiously ineffective as the run of the mill PD.

By: Stephannie Marsillett

Stephannie Marsillett — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:13:05 +0000

I agree with Rachel’s statement, “…it is just that sometimes life can get in the way.” I have always been a teacher who has gone out and found things I wanted to learn to make me a better teacher. Granted, I am also one who expects the District to provide us with meaningful professional development as well. Many other professions provide their workers with up-to-date trainings on things that would help them excel at their job (or make the company better). I don’t think it is too much to ask for some assistance from our employers. I would whole-heartedly agree to do it all on my own, if time was set aside during the work day or week for us to have time to do just that. It really gets frustrating when employers expect you to do it on your own time after school. Sometimes, real life can get in the way of doing that.

By: connie weber

connie weber — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 14:46:44 +0000

No apologies necessary… was just venting. I’m appreciative of you, being here, making a difference, spurring people on, sharing your insights, giving people a place to react. You lead the way in so many things– grateful to count you in as one of my colleagues!

By: lowell

lowell — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 11:32:49 +0000

Yes, I agree with you, Connie.

There *are* a few — by comparison — teachers for whom the current models of learning have personal meaning. You’re one of them. I should have recognized the pathfinders in my post because they represent the evidence that some other model is possible.

My apologies for that oversight.

By: connie weber

connie weber — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 11:01:01 +0000

Hi Nathan,
My reaction is that I don’t like to be lumped in with a category of people who do not learn unless told to. I’m on a learning binge, biggest in my life, now that so many tools and learning contexts are available. I’d have to say that frequently the professional development sessions that are run to “deliver the learning” are counterproductive: boring, alienating, dispiriting. I’d get a lot more learning done on my own or with networked colleagues. Something is trailing far behind what’s actually possible–I agree with you about that.

By: barbara Nantz

barbara Nantz — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 03:35:15 +0000

Everyone has made interesting points and I agree most with quality PD that is chosen. There are several times I attend a Manditory PD on things I either already know or don’t plan on using. I already have 30 + PD hours and I will take more if the PD interests me. I always look in the summer for PD’s that I’m interested in because that is what helps me the most in the classroom. I also, look into things that are blogged about or add them to my del.ic.ious so that I can read and look back into them when I have more time. I don’t have much time either as a teacer, but I would like to learn a lot of this sorftware that is coming out. I don’t know why I don’t just sit down and read on voice thread or web 2.0 since it is right at my fingertips. I did however find a site, mathplayground.com that has several software/programs that I am going to look into this week. Anyone checks it out let me know what you think.

By: Angie Hinson

Angie Hinson — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 14:00:40 +0000

I was just getting ready to write a paper about the lack of professional development available to teachers, and was looking back at some of your posts—running across this one today. You are right, and somewhere you wrote that we take charge of our own learning. I will learn what I seek out to learn, and the information is out there for me to get it. I can’t wait to be taught it…..so, with that said- I have to do a podcast/vodcast today, so I better get on the web to use Garageband or http://audacity.sourceforge.net/ to help me along.

By: dancingnancy533

dancingnancy533 — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 01:24:30 +0000

Every since last semester and being exposed to some of the professional development opportunities out there, I feel like I know a lot more now than I did going through some of my methods courses in my undergrad work. You’re right. We need to take the initiative to go seek out the professional development we are interested in. While some of the more higher price technological devices we would like to use in our classrooms may be better set in a professional development session set up by the school, there are still other things we can try out. Web 2.0 offers up a lot of tools we can learn about and get to know better. I understand we all have a lot of different things going on in our lives where time is a rare resource, but spending a little time each day will build your understanding of those great resources on the Web.

By: Cathy Bechtel

Cathy Bechtel — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 01:07:32 +0000

I usually have the required PD hours in by the end of the first month of school because I attend many meetings about district stuff that I get PD credit for. PD credit is offered because the meeting is about something that deals with our district or school improvement plan. I do not get PD credit for courses such as this. The system is broken. I attend meetings and I’m a better teacher?? I just help fulfill someone’s agenda.