The Changing Face of PD: Edcamps and The Art of Good Conversation

In just a few short days I will be attending my very first Edcamp!  I have been lucky to have had the opportunity to participate as a lifelong learner and presenter in some great professional development activities over the years ranging from one-on-one to global connections, face to face to webinars, real time to asychronous.  Free and cheap global conference rooms like Google hangouts, twitter and other social networks are changing the face of professional development, moving us from presentations to conversations.

Edcamps are part of that movement.  The role of presenter has changed to one of facilitator as you can see by two of these Edcamp 101 Guidelines shared by Damian Bariexca one of Edcampnj’s primary organizers.

• You Are Not The Expert - And that's okay!  The point of this experience is not to be another "sit and git" PD experience.  It is an opportunity for educators to come together, discuss, ask questions, brainstorm, and problem solve.  Your role is not necessarily to have all the answers, but rather to facilitate discussion.  The idea is to draw upon the collective wisdom of the group as much as possible.
• Talk About What You Know - As a facilitator, you may wish to bring in 2-3 central questions of overarching importance to your topic.  You may also wish to share personal success (and failure) stories with the group, and elicit similar stories from them.

The Questions are Key!

Just like in the classroom, in order to have a high quality conversation, you need to ask the right questions.  In the book Academic Conversations by Jeff Zwiers and Marie Crawford, there are lots of great ways to use classroom conversations to foster critical thinking.  As the authors state, “When two or more people converse, their ideas mix and interact to create new knowledge.”  Conversations help students (and here we are all students) to develop their own thoughts and create a synergy of learning.  

So what should those questions be?

According to the authors, there are 5 Core Skills of Academic Conversations:

·         Elaborate and clarify- What do you mean by…?  Can you tell me more about….?

I wonder if….?  How does that connect to….?

·         Support ideas with examples:  Can you give us an example from the classroom?  Example from the real world?  Example from your life?

·         Build on and/or challenge a person’s ideas – What might be other points of view?  Do you agree?

·         Paraphrase – What do we know so far?  What is your opinion on what has been said?     

·         Synthesize conversation points- What main points can we share?  What key idea can we take away?

Armed with these questions, I am all set to share my experiences of using online conversations to foster critical thinking.  Do you have other techniques, questions or suggestions to get the conversation started and keep it going?

Zwiers, J., and M. Crawford. 2011. Academic Conversations-Classroom Talk that Fosters Critical Thinking and Content Understandings.  Maine:  Stenhouse Publishers.

Getting Connected: A Few of My Favorite Nings

If you are reading this, you are probably already somewhat connected. You may also have heard that August is Connected Educator’s month. So where do you go to connect? Who are you connecting with?

There are literally hundreds of ways for educators to connect with each other. Many educators have ventured onto the big networks – Facebook, Twitter, and Google+. In addition to these, I love the networks that are more specialized. I am a regular contributing member on a number of Nings. These networks may focus on a subject area or level of education and then drill down deeper into special interest groups. You can even start your own group! Check out the blogs, post questions, share your experiences. Nings are a great way to become a more connected educator!

These are a few of my favorite nings (and yes, I have that Sound of Music song in my head)http://Englishcompanion.ning.com

"A place to ask questions and get help. A community dedicated to helping you enjoy your work. A cafe without walls or coffee: just friends."

Groups such as "Teach with Technology," Teaching Reading," "Teaching Writing," "Teaching Shakespeare," etc.

http://sschat.ning.com/

“This network is dedicated to connecting social studies educators everywhere.”

Groups: US History Educators, World History Educators, Middle School Social Studies, Social Studies Tools

ttp://mathematics24x7.ning.com/

“A network of Mathematics Enthusiasts... Just talking about Mathematics... What do you say?”

Groups: Problem Based Curriculum, Introducing Math Concepts, Developemental math

www.technologyintegrationineducation.com

“Facilitating the use of technology in the classroom.” This is for people interested in helping integrate technology into education in a seemless manner so that technology is a tool that enhances education and does not drive it.

Favorite groups: free for educators, collaborative projects, TIE

http://www.iste-community.org/
"A year round social network for ISTE members and affillitates and groups and Ed leaders"

http://flatclassrooms.ning.com/

“Fostering new ways of learning using Web 2.0 and global collaborative practices and providing a resource for educators to connect globally”

http://Teachvine.ning.com

A new kid-kid-on-the-block- described as “joint professional development better than a course.”

http://tregoed.ning.com

A network for educational leaders! Share your challenges, questions, and solutions with your colleagues.

Start your own group within your staff to increase collaboration!

Looking for more?

Cybraryman, Jerry Blumengarten has a list of other Nings as well as hundreds of other ways to connect!

Where are your favorite places to connect?

ISTE's Top 10 Nooks and Crannies

We all know that it is the nooks and crannies that make an English muffin special…you know those little areas where the butter can pool?  The same can be said for the nooks and crannies at ISTE, there are some great little sideshows where people can pool to replace :) with real smiles!   The point of ISTE is, after all, to network,  share, experience and learn face to face. 

Most conference goers are quite familiar with concurrent sessions – workshops, research paper sessions, panels, etc.  There are LOTS of them at ISTE – take advantage, but leave some time to explore some of these other nooks and crannies:

1.       PosterSessions- In these action packed hallways, educators focus on the implementation of a lesson, curriculum, technology, model or project displaying student work.  Most will give you links and handouts to resources.  Like speed dating only you don’t have to invest a whole hour (that’s about how long my dates lasted).

2.       Studentshowcases- who in education can resist these kids grades K-12 as they explain their projects?  Hear success stories from the horses’ mouths.

3.       Globalcollaboration projects- These focus on curriculum projects that involve collaborations between or among learners in different countries.  Again, resources to get in on the action are provided.

4.       ISTEIgnite sessions:  Check out this fast paced event in which these illustrious (Will Richardson, Adam Bellow, etc.) presenters have 5 minutes and 20 slides to demonstrate their passions and ignite yours. Monday, 6/25/2012, 8:30am–9:30am, SDCC 6F Tuesday 6/26/2012 3:45-4:45

5.       Birds of a Feather Sessions:  These are informal one-and- a-half hour sessions that allow like-minded Informal to get together and network.  These groups are listed under concurrent sessions in the program.

6.       Special Interest Groups events:   Get with your peeps and explore common ground.  Check out the open house to see what these groups have to offer.  Sunday 3-5 Lobby DE

7.       Tweet up meet up:  Meet your @friends #face to face  Sunday 3-5 Lobby DE

8.       Young educators network :  Goes without saying that I will not be welcome there!

9.       Affiliate Receptions:  Find your local or regional technology educators group and share some food and drink!

10.   Playgrounds:  Come and play at ISTE’s Special Focus Playgrounds.  Explore games, tools and resources.

11.   Lounges:  (okay there are really 11 – but 10 sounds so much cooler!) Network in a comfortable lounge with edubloggers, give a presentation at ISTE Unplugged, join leaders, advocates or make global connections in one of the ISTELounges in the Sails Pavilion.  Great place to sit down and rest your weary feet! 

Look for me at:

Poster Session:  Magnetic Space:  NASA and ISTE Cyber Café’s Educational Tools  Halls DE Lobby Table 24. 

ISTE Shred session- that’s right folks in just two minutes I will give you all I’ve got to convince you to attend my workshop that afternoon.  Fun, upbeat and competitive…what more could you want at 7am?  SDCC 33C

Volunteer Traffic Jedi – Yep, I will be holding up the big question mark on Tuesday…hope they let me take it home.  Volunteering is a great way to meet people and give back (and get a t-shirt)

Model Classroom – come see, hear, and experience what it would be like to be in my middle school classroom as I combine social studies, language arts and technology to teach kids how to think, not what to think!  (With Jennifer Miller)  3:45-4:45 SDCC 2

Of course, if you are not there, you can follow us at #iste2012 or participate remotely.  Perhaps next year, I’ll wear a head cam!