one of three workshops put on for our first Edcamp
How can we possibly find the time to give teachers opportunities to learn about new technology? There is no question that we need to find a way to change the way we deliver PD. Teacher learning needs to be embedded and easily accessible so that everyone can keep up with all the changes being brought on through Google, Apple, chromebooks and apps apps apps!
We are experimenting with a version of the edcamp model. To do this, I gave over our regular meeting time (once per month) and allowed teachers to sign up for three 20 minute workshops. Fortunately, we had three staff members who were willing to present.
I don’t think this is how a regular edcamp would work, but we were dealing with limited time and no more than 15 staff.
The model needs some work, but based on the staff comments (below) I am already convinced that it is a good idea to give up staff meeting time on a regular basis so that we can build a stronger learning culture here at our school.
Really enjoyed the round robin of activities. Small groups work well
Snacks were amazing. Time was perfect.
IEP info was very useful. Symbaloo was interesting. Vine was neat but 7seconds is very short for a video.
Love the idea of these mini workshops as a staff meeting. It doesn’t even have to necessarily be technology related. Could grade partner meeting time be part of it?
Sometimes we get so busy and we’re communicating in a rush, so extra time would be great.
Very good. Just enough time.Timing good, more specific programs, eg, great spelling or writing app. Went smoothly. Time frame was sufficient: quick, to the point and gave us enough info to understand program/ app should we decide to explore further. Thanks to presenters
Timing good, more specific programs, eg, great spelling or writing app. Went smoothly.
Time frame was sufficient: quick, to the point and gave us enough info to understand program/ app should we decide to explore further.
Thanks to presenters
here is the original google form we used to get ideas from the teachers
and… here are some of the learning needs we still need to work on – based on teacher response.
- Kid Blog Edmodo –
- top 5 math apps –
- top 5 reading apps –
- top 5 presentation apps
- symbaloo
- Interesting apps or software.
- Technology for non-readers
- How to be more interactive with Smartboard
- Not sure How to effectively use twitter in the classroom.
- Time to explore google/apple apps.
- how to integrate technology when you don’t have enough computers/ipads for the whole class
- making mini-movies using the imovie app (I think that’s what it is called)
- how to save youtube videos to use off-line
- Using Lucid Chart, Read Write for Google
What a terrific list! Time to plan our next edcamp
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