Today I’ve been doing some catching up on some reading. I did visit most of the blogs on my Google Reader list and strolled through many of the sites, leaving comments here and there. I was stepping through Kim Cofino’s always learning blog where she had a list of three books essential for 21st Century Educators. I have to admit, I haven’t read Will Richardson or David Warlick’s book. I am reading Thomas L. Friedman’s The World is Flat and I’m enjoying the information that it has regarding the flattening of the world. However, as I thought about what I added to the list, I began to think about how the beourcratic elements of our schools and the exposure we have via our Professional Development really shapes the information that we are consuming as teachers, if we are actually consuming any information.
In Saskatchewan we have just finished a very major amalgamation that was brought on through government legislation. Whether I liked it or not is immaterial at this point and since one gets no where looking backwards, I tend to look forward, find positive and move on making what I have the best that it can be. Our new division is focusing on the SMART goals philosophy Ann Conzemius and Jan O’Neill. Their book The Handbook for SMART School Teams sets out how schools can use this, combined with the Professional Learning Communitees ideas from Richard DuFour and Robert Eaker, to change how schools function and focus on Data Driven Decisions to improve the learning outcomes of the students in the school. Thus, much of my reading has been focused on the works of these authors and the ideas that are within their pages.
Just lately at our Administration Meetings we have begun to use PLC’s to focus on different ideas within the admin group. I am currently working with a group of administrators who are focusing on teacher supervision. We are looking at various methods that will allow us to assist teachers in developing as professionals through reflective discussions. One book we have been using is The Three-Minute Walk-Through by Carolyn J. Downey, Steffy, English, Frase and Poston. I’ve been using this method for a few weeks in order to visit the rooms of the teachers, gather some information and then move on. This has been using up more of my reading time. I’ve a few other books on my list that I’d like to get through this year. Then I run across the last few posts by Kim and I see a more books that I think will really benefit me as I look at the way we can improve schools keeping in mind the students who are walking through our doors each day.
Why am I writing about this? Well, the books that I’m working with at present are those that I know will help me to get a handle on the ideas and directions that our school division is going. One does need to demonstrate that one understands what is going on around them! However, I see those books Kim has suggested as also being crucial in helping to create a school that students really want to be at. What do I do? How does one get all this reading in and still get work done? Forget Saturdays and Sundays, I’m coaching basketball and trying to spend time with my family. So what can one do?
I’ve learned that if I have a deadline or required timeframe, I can really prioritize and get work done. I am currently finishing the last week in my online course and I’ve kept up for one month with little added stress. I’m also enrolled in the Connectivism Conference at the U of Manitoba with George Siemens. I know that I’ll find time to take in the information somehow. So, here’s an idea for anyone who visits this site – how about an online book club? I’d like to suggest that we select a book that focuses on education – does not have to be technology! We agree to read and then once a month we meet and discuss the book via Skype (I’m kwhobbes) or some other tool. Now, if you’re interested, leave me a comment with your information and a suggestion for a book or two.
Hey, it’s worth a try. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Kelly
