Candidate Professional Growth and Development
Professional Learning Network (FRIT 7234)
Element: 6.1, 6.2
Reflection
I think it is sad that I have not heard about a Personal Learning Network (PLN) until taking FRIT 7234. I would think this is a subject that should be shared and implemented during someone’s initial teacher education. Many of us collaborate with others within our building or county, but with this being 2015 and the plethora of information that is out there we need other avenues to learn and work with others globally to make us better educators. Enter this idea of having a PLN. I have used and “lurked” social media and followed others blogs as sources for gaining information to enlighten me on teaching and technology, but I haven’t really had a culminating place to put all those things. The internet and the wealth of information are daunting at times so making things more accessible through a PLN is taking the adage of working smarter not harder to new heights.
When I had to look into setting up a PLN I tried out a few tools that were suggested. I initially chose to go with Rebelmouse. I also played around with Pearltrees and Paper.li but decided to stick with my initial choice. Rebelmouse allows you to link all your social media sites together in one place. You can also create header tabs to include other things of interest like blogs, videos, or even static websites that you might want to save for later use or reference. I have been using this tool with pretty basic controls right now but know I am going to have to dig into the guts of it if I want all it can give. I am not completely sold on Rebelmouse being the best tool for me, and will possibly look for other venues to host my PLN at a later date. I have had a few issues with the bookmarklet on my browser not always working and a few other minor complaints with the service. However, to me right now the tool is not as important as learning the ways to curate and produce a successful PLN.
Since this whole concept is new to me I have searched around for guidance on setting up my PLN. There are several great resources that have helped and I have attached them under a heading simply entitled “PLN Resources”. Albeit these are more static in nature, until I become comfortable it is nice to have a security blanket of sorts to go back to as well as guidance for a few teammates I have talked with. Several of my colleagues have heard me talking about my new PLN. I described to them that we are telling our students to be more global, so why are we not. Professional development should not consist of just signing up for a few local trainings. I explained that many of the same great leaders and presenters that we have to pay hundreds of dollars to have access to, readily present information and advice through their blogs and social media. They said they read a few blogs here and there, but when I showed them how the information is readily collected via my PLN I now have to teach a few others how to begin assembling their own. Mine is a long way from being perfect, but I see the need to keep a PLN in order to stay relevant in these ever changing times. For me, this isn’t just an assignment for a class it is an assignment I need to continue for life.
One of the resources I found through creating my PLN that really excites me the most right now is http://www.freetech4teachers.com/ by Richard Byrne. Being that my school has just begun to embrace the usefulness of technology in education as well as being a Title I school, when I begin to tell others of things I may have heard or learned the first thing they want to dismiss it with is the cost. Richard Byrne is a writer and presenter who has taken such an issue into account. He is able to search and present things that teachers can use for free in order to get their students more involved in the 21st-century classroom model.
I think it is sad that I have not heard about a Personal Learning Network (PLN) until taking FRIT 7234. I would think this is a subject that should be shared and implemented during someone’s initial teacher education. Many of us collaborate with others within our building or county, but with this being 2015 and the plethora of information that is out there we need other avenues to learn and work with others globally to make us better educators. Enter this idea of having a PLN. I have used and “lurked” social media and followed others blogs as sources for gaining information to enlighten me on teaching and technology, but I haven’t really had a culminating place to put all those things. The internet and the wealth of information are daunting at times so making things more accessible through a PLN is taking the adage of working smarter not harder to new heights.
When I had to look into setting up a PLN I tried out a few tools that were suggested. I initially chose to go with Rebelmouse. I also played around with Pearltrees and Paper.li but decided to stick with my initial choice. Rebelmouse allows you to link all your social media sites together in one place. You can also create header tabs to include other things of interest like blogs, videos, or even static websites that you might want to save for later use or reference. I have been using this tool with pretty basic controls right now but know I am going to have to dig into the guts of it if I want all it can give. I am not completely sold on Rebelmouse being the best tool for me, and will possibly look for other venues to host my PLN at a later date. I have had a few issues with the bookmarklet on my browser not always working and a few other minor complaints with the service. However, to me right now the tool is not as important as learning the ways to curate and produce a successful PLN.
Since this whole concept is new to me I have searched around for guidance on setting up my PLN. There are several great resources that have helped and I have attached them under a heading simply entitled “PLN Resources”. Albeit these are more static in nature, until I become comfortable it is nice to have a security blanket of sorts to go back to as well as guidance for a few teammates I have talked with. Several of my colleagues have heard me talking about my new PLN. I described to them that we are telling our students to be more global, so why are we not. Professional development should not consist of just signing up for a few local trainings. I explained that many of the same great leaders and presenters that we have to pay hundreds of dollars to have access to, readily present information and advice through their blogs and social media. They said they read a few blogs here and there, but when I showed them how the information is readily collected via my PLN I now have to teach a few others how to begin assembling their own. Mine is a long way from being perfect, but I see the need to keep a PLN in order to stay relevant in these ever changing times. For me, this isn’t just an assignment for a class it is an assignment I need to continue for life.
One of the resources I found through creating my PLN that really excites me the most right now is http://www.freetech4teachers.com/ by Richard Byrne. Being that my school has just begun to embrace the usefulness of technology in education as well as being a Title I school, when I begin to tell others of things I may have heard or learned the first thing they want to dismiss it with is the cost. Richard Byrne is a writer and presenter who has taken such an issue into account. He is able to search and present things that teachers can use for free in order to get their students more involved in the 21st-century classroom model.
Screencast to NHE PTO (FRIT 7232/FRIT 7233)
Elements: 1.1, 1.4, 3.6, 3.7, 6.1, 6.3
Reflection
This was not an assignment in the course, but I learned this process while taking FRIT 7232 (Visionary Leadership) and FRIT 7233 (Digital Tools and Resources). Although this was not part of any assignments it certainly is an indication of some of the things I learned throughout the program. At my school we were looking at increasing our inventory of computers but ran into issues with the WiFi infrastructure. It was old and outdated. My principal had asked if I could present to our PTO a request for funds to fix this issue before we bought any more devices. I was not able to be there so I created a screen-cast to be played in my absence. After the video was played the PTO unanimously voted to release $20,000 dollars to update our infrastructure. I may not have been as successful with this endeavor if I had not used many of these techniques in the courses that were offered. I now continue to make screencasts and other videos for just such occasions.
I included this in my portfolio because I believe it is indicative to the things I have learned in the program and able to carry into my profession on a day to day basis. After all, that is why we learn what we learn so we can pass along information and ideas better to others.
This was not an assignment in the course, but I learned this process while taking FRIT 7232 (Visionary Leadership) and FRIT 7233 (Digital Tools and Resources). Although this was not part of any assignments it certainly is an indication of some of the things I learned throughout the program. At my school we were looking at increasing our inventory of computers but ran into issues with the WiFi infrastructure. It was old and outdated. My principal had asked if I could present to our PTO a request for funds to fix this issue before we bought any more devices. I was not able to be there so I created a screen-cast to be played in my absence. After the video was played the PTO unanimously voted to release $20,000 dollars to update our infrastructure. I may not have been as successful with this endeavor if I had not used many of these techniques in the courses that were offered. I now continue to make screencasts and other videos for just such occasions.
I included this in my portfolio because I believe it is indicative to the things I have learned in the program and able to carry into my profession on a day to day basis. After all, that is why we learn what we learn so we can pass along information and ideas better to others.
FRER 7130 Annotated Bibliography
Element: 6.2
Reflection
I was anxious when I discovered I would have to take a FRER 7130, Educational Research. I was really anxious when I found out what a "research beast" (that is meant as a compliment) Dr. Zinskie is! I have, in the past, read several research papers and there were many things contained in them that I really didn't understand. I know that conducting research is very important and knowing how to read them properly is also very important, however, I could never really get into them. I think that was a definite downfall on my part. Research definitely drives how and what we teach and I am glad that I at least now have a better grasp of deciphering them. I don't see myself turning researcher, but I am glad I have the experience this course was able to show me.
In this module I had to develop an annotated bibliography surrounding a research topic I would want to to further develop. I decided if I were to develop a research topic it would be the effects of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation and what works better for cognitive process and behavior management. I was able to discover that more research could be conducted on this area but also there were some interesting findings already developed.
I would have to say that I did learn a lot in this course. It made me really think about how important it is to understand the different terminology when looking and discussing research projects.
I was anxious when I discovered I would have to take a FRER 7130, Educational Research. I was really anxious when I found out what a "research beast" (that is meant as a compliment) Dr. Zinskie is! I have, in the past, read several research papers and there were many things contained in them that I really didn't understand. I know that conducting research is very important and knowing how to read them properly is also very important, however, I could never really get into them. I think that was a definite downfall on my part. Research definitely drives how and what we teach and I am glad that I at least now have a better grasp of deciphering them. I don't see myself turning researcher, but I am glad I have the experience this course was able to show me.
In this module I had to develop an annotated bibliography surrounding a research topic I would want to to further develop. I decided if I were to develop a research topic it would be the effects of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation and what works better for cognitive process and behavior management. I was able to discover that more research could be conducted on this area but also there were some interesting findings already developed.
I would have to say that I did learn a lot in this course. It made me really think about how important it is to understand the different terminology when looking and discussing research projects.
AB McFatridge L by Lee McFatridge on Scribd
Parent Information on Columbia County Gifted Identification Process (FRIT 7232)
Elements: 1.1, 1.4, 3.6, 3.7, 6.1, 6.3
Reflection
Shortly after taking FRIT 7232, Visionary Leadership, I began taking a front seat to many problems around the school where I could use technology to assist. I included this because although it was not an assignment it was directly related to my experience in FRIT 7232. At my school I was asked to put together a presentation that would describe the gifted identification process to parents. Instead of using some of the same old things I had in the past I decided that I would try to work with PowToon. I had never really used it for anything in the past but had seen a few of them. I gathered all the information for the gifted identification process and then synthesized it to deliver it to parents. Although there is a lot of information in this video, I felt with this type of presentation parents could stop if they needed to and go at their own pace. It was very well received and had many comments of how it helped them understand the process in a fun and innovative way.
I included this in my portfolio because I believe it is indicative to the things I have learned in the program and able to carry into my profession on a day to day basis. After all, that is why we learn what we learn so we can pass along information and ideas better to others.
Shortly after taking FRIT 7232, Visionary Leadership, I began taking a front seat to many problems around the school where I could use technology to assist. I included this because although it was not an assignment it was directly related to my experience in FRIT 7232. At my school I was asked to put together a presentation that would describe the gifted identification process to parents. Instead of using some of the same old things I had in the past I decided that I would try to work with PowToon. I had never really used it for anything in the past but had seen a few of them. I gathered all the information for the gifted identification process and then synthesized it to deliver it to parents. Although there is a lot of information in this video, I felt with this type of presentation parents could stop if they needed to and go at their own pace. It was very well received and had many comments of how it helped them understand the process in a fun and innovative way.
I included this in my portfolio because I believe it is indicative to the things I have learned in the program and able to carry into my profession on a day to day basis. After all, that is why we learn what we learn so we can pass along information and ideas better to others.
Standard 6: Candidate Professional Growth & Development
Candidates demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to engage in continuous learning, reflect on professional practice, and engage in appropriate field experiences.
Candidates demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to engage in continuous learning, reflect on professional practice, and engage in appropriate field experiences.
- Element 6.1 Continuous Learning - Candidates demonstrate continual growth in knowledge and skills of current and emerging technologies and apply them to improve personal productivity and professional practice.
- Element 6.2 Reflection - Candidates regularly evaluate and reflect on their professional practice and dispositions to improve and strengthen their ability to effectively model and facilitate technology-enhanced learning experiences.
- Element 6.3 Field Experiences - Candidates engage in appropriate field experiences to synthesize and apply the content and professional knowledge, skills, and dispositions identified in these standards.