Skip to main content

Drip feed CPD from Partners in Learning

photo (115)

As we come to the end of another term, it’s been time to reflect on fourteen weeks in my new role as Professional Tutor.  One thing I have learned is that we never stop learning.  Well, I knew that already.  More specifically, I know that no one learns within set periods of time.  One frustration this term is the reliance on CPD ‘time.’  Often at the end of the school day or within INSET days.  This is clearly bonkers.  I’m notorious for not being able to focus during such training sessions.  Add to this that, as a profession, many agree that educators should be modelling ‘any-time-anywhere’ learning with young people and encouraging lifelong learning.

Personally, I prefer to dip in and out of training when I get the chance, or when the mood takes me.  This is where I’d like to use Partners in Learning as an example of a setup where this can be achieved.  I’m planning to use their materials in order to develop a whole school approach to up skill teachers at my institution.  There are three tools that I’d like to talk about.  Each one, in my view, allows teachers to learn whenever they need or want to.  Before I go too far, I should remind readers that I believe in using technology appropriately, when it matches sound learning objectives (rather than starting with the technology then the learning) and in using whatever tool does the job best.  I’m also thinking of the ‘general’ teacher, rather than early adopters or those practitioners already confident with 21st Century Skills.  I’m also not a fan of online learning Winking smile

1. Teaching with Technology.

Teaching with Technology is a free, online course that is linked to the UNESCO ICT Competency Framework For Teachers.  As it’s online ‘eLearning’, it;s easy to dip in and out of and split into short chunks.  Many readers may find the content straightforward, but then the course is not aimed at seasoned technologists but at those teachers who need to use the tools available to them better. There is also a self-evaluation tool to enable learning to be targeted. 

4

Having worked through some of the materials and passed all of the tests, I can see the potential that Teaching with Technology has if targeted correctly.  Although the learning is independent and available online, I can see a role for a school’s  CPD coordinator to guide teachers to use the most appropriate course.

2. Windows in the Classroom Seminars

windows in the classroom

While this series of short YouTube clips are unashamedly focused on Windows 8 users, there is some very sound pedagogical tips for teachers and some powerful arguments for using technology in the classroom.  I liked the format of the videos and have embedded one below.  Initially I thought that they would be of limited value without access to Windows 8, the focus is actually mainly on Office 2010 applications.

3. Ribbon Hero

Microsoft have revamped this tool for learning the ropes of Office 2010 into a rather funky cartoon like story.  Using a gaming approach, I find working through the exercises when I have time, improves my knowledge and skills at using applications.  Why bother? Our school is almost exclusively Windows based.  I’ve also spoken to our support staff and intend to roll our Ribbon Hero to as many teacher (and student) machines as possible.

Finally (and I don’t really rave about the online badges thing, I like certificates Winking smile), all of this is available for free by joining the Partners in Learning Network where you can gain badges for engaging with the professional learning, gain access to a wealth of free software and interact with teachers from across the globe.  Too much to do? 

Profile

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

What makes a learning experience profound? Personal reflections and possible implications for classroom practice.

I have recently begun a Leadership Pathways journey.  As part of the first core day, we were asked to reflect on a profound learning experience. This got me thinking about how many profound learning experiences I have both been involved in, and how many I have been able to give to others.  Our group came up with a huge long list, but these are my five. Emotional Connected Demanding Reflective Collaborative As always, these are personal thoughts and quite mixed up.  I put them here so that I can look back on them (plus they’d get lost inside my world-cup-free brain) 1. Emotional I can’t think of a time where deep learning hasn’t engaged my emotions.  From being awe inspired to that tingle feeling when a student gets a light bulb moment.  From this-is-the-happiest-day-ever, to I-think-I’m-about-to die.  How often do we engage the emotions of those we teach?  Here, I would argue that having a safe learning environment is not always conducive to profound

The danger of Teaching and Twitter conversations: poorly formed bipolar arguments.

Sometimes in life, there really are only two options.  Get the wrong one and you can look like a muppet.  Take this useful sign for the toilets in Morocco.  I successfully navigated it, choosing the right option.  The result? No egg on my face.  As a mountain leader, there are many right or wrong decisions that I’ve faced, as there are all over life.  It’s not a good idea to let inexperienced young people walk themselves down Snowdon.  They may die or be seriously injured.  If someone is showing the signs and symptoms of hyperthermia, you need to treat it fast in a specified way.  There is no real arguing with this sign: Other options are less obvious.  Take this sign recently spotted near to where I live: Now, I wouldn’t consider sleeping in a bin.  However, faced with a sub-zero night, I could see the appeal.  The danger? Being tipped into one of those huge lorries with a compactor. (by the way, I only really considered all of this thanks to questions from my four year old boy).

Banned Word Board

Today I want to share some simple ideas that I have found to be very effective in the classroom. I can't say that they are my own original ideas, although I have played around with them. The first is the Banned word Board. This is a simple display in the classroom that lists a number of words that are not allowed to be used by pupils in their written or oral answers. The effect has been an increase in the quality of written work, and I have almost made comments such as 'Sir it's simple, the stuff just affects the thing and causes people problems'. Pupils are now more able to use specific language, something that is vital especially at GCSE. I have had to make a few modifications, such as the introduction of 'Heavenly Words' This is an additional display placed on the ceiling. I found this necessary as pupils needed some stimulus in finding replacement words. After advice received after posting the idea on the SLN forum , I have also introduced semi-banned words