A meme is usually framed as a series of questions that are replicated and then transmitted virally–most often, through blogs. The questions posed within a meme may focus on anything of interest to a particular community. Following a meme as it winds its way through the web can be a lot of fun, and in the process, readers often find themselves connecting with new bloggers and their collective perspective. Why would teachers ask students to create memes? Newbie…
A whole lot of money is often spent on district-wide professional development days. Often, these events occur two or three times a year, feature an inspiring speaker (or one that was supposed to be), and supply teachers with a fistful of great ideas that evaporate upon contact with the realities of the classroom…particularly when little follow-up support is provided in the aftermath. This year, schools are facing an even larger challenge: cuts in funding. Last…
Whenever I recommend Twitter to teacher-friends or colleagues, the first thing I’m often asked is what educators tweet about in 140 characters or less. When I started using Twitter almost a year ago, I wondered the same thing. So I started paying attention and then eventually, I began capturing my observations along the way. Here’s how I notice educators making great use of this powerful tool: 1. Identifying and Retweeting Favorite Links and Resources: Many of the…
Hey! Go join Jim Burke’s new social network on ning! Many of the conversations that are taking place there have been taking place within the face-to-face communities that I’m a part of as well. So what are you waiting for? Head over there now. Meet some new people, get some new ideas, and share what you’re up to with those who care about it just as much. Here are a few stops to consider along the…
Many thanks to Susan Waters for the creation of this wiki, which has FINALLY enabled me to explain to my husband precisely what a personal learning network might be and why anyone would want to establish one. By relying on five specific tools: blogs, Twitter, Ning, RSS, and social bookmarks, professional development is no longer something “provided” to us by others as we sit quietly taking notes. Knowledge is something we can acquire anytime, anyplace, and anywhere…thanks to those who…
Taking on the role of an instructional coach has been the most challenging and the most rewarding professional decision I’ve made over the last seventeen years. Although I still provide stand-alone workshops and value them for specific purposes, I’ve realized that asking teachers to embrace change without providing them necessary support is often a waste of valuable resources. As a professional development model, coaching may seem fairly new to some, but the processes involved are often very common…
That’s what the research process is truly about, wouldn’t you agree? So much of what we hope to teach can begin with what kids are passionate about, and many of the teachers I work with know from experience that when new learning journeys are fueled by passionate inquiry the rewards are great. How do we help kids define and begin chasing their passions as researchers? How do we help them integrate what they love with what we want them…
There is so much to be said for the beginner who is willing to share. Over the last month, various teachers have asked me to help them take their first steps toward blogging, using wikis, building a personal learning network on Twitter, annotating the findings from their formative assesment processes, and using the 6+1 Traits of Writing. Each time I’m asked to share what I know about any of these processes, I’m tempted to direct people toward the…
Several weeks ago, I posted a reflection of a demo lesson that I had recently completed. This lesson coached students in their ability to identify main idea and supporting details, and one of my professional goals was to model the process of formative assessment that I am encouraging the teachers that I am working with to adopt. I used this process myself in my work with the students, and it guided my instruction along the…
Studio kids and teachers have been spending the last several weeks writing presents for those who mean the most to them, and I’m really looking forward to tomorrow’s get-together at Daemen College. Some will be participating in peer review, others will be peer-editing and revising, and all of us are excited about being interviewed by one of our own. Sarah Hanson is a ninth grade student from Alden High School and a newly published reporter. She writes…