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
5 responses so far ↓
I am interested. I suggest either David Warlick’s book, or The Tipping Point.
re: Skype: How do I get connected?
Hi MP, Well, I’m interested in either book. Now, for the Skype, go to http://www.Skype.com and download the software. You will then have to do a test in which you select a user name for yourself. This will be how you identify yourself to others on the Skype Network. Once done, you can send a notice that asks others if you can be on their contact list and they can be on yours. I don’t have a huge number of contacts but I have a few that I check in on to see if anyone is around.
Now for the book, I assume you are in India/Asia somewhere? This will make the Skype talk a bit of an issue because of the time zone difference but I was thinking that one could either communiicate via blog, wiki or, if it was available, podcast exchange. Any of these would suffice. Of course, if we get enough people interested, we could have two or three discussions going on about the same book in three locations. Wouldn’t that be powerful! Educators worldwide reading and sharing educational thoughts together on a common piece of literature.
Kelly
Our school district is into the fourth year of PLC development. We started much like you discuss–and with a great deal of resistance from many staff members. They viewed it as just “another program” that will eventually be replaced. Four years later, we are a true data-driven school. All staff members meet in teams weekly to discuss the three questions 1. What do we want our students to learn? 2. How are we going to get there with them? 3. What do we do if the process does not work? Meetings are held professionally with norms and expectations regardless of how big or small the group may be. Results do show–this fall we were recognized for being in the Top 10 for improvement on state achievement testing!
[...] Like, do people really take this whole blog ranking thing that seriously? I thought that this whole technology thing was going to change the interaction of people and bring things to a new level. Really, I could go to the local rink for that kind of reacion! I did respond to his request for next month just because I find this kind of stuff interesting. I like coloured graphs! Personally, I really like popping into various blogs who aren’t on the list and reading what they are up to and how their lives are going. A for instance is Missprofe. Now, she was the only respondent to my idea to do a sort of book club. So, I’m going to get ahold of her and we’ll do it. The offer is open to anyone who is interested but I’m not going to lose sleep over not making the allstar team of blogging with this idea. People are busy. Heck, I’m busy but I need some type of deadline to get myself organized. It works for me and I tend to perform better. It’s not the stress but the need to not procastinate and waste time playing in 2L or some other game or just blog surfing. Back to Missprofe, she and I have been visiting each other’s sites and reading. I like her down to earth and honest approach to the whole blog process. It discusses real world issues and then steps back. It’s human and real and not preachy. Something that I’m finding from a few of the “big name bloggers” lately. I’m tired of that message and the whole “blow my horn” that goes on. Don’t care - don’t visit anymore. Just lately another teacher visited and left a good message about “sticking with it” to see results. As much as I’d like to convert the division I work in and have all them take hold of the technology I know that it will be slow. I also have an obligatioin to fulfill the division initiatives. Now, these initiatives are great - increase reading to 100% of all students at grade level. Increase our math proficiency - use data to make decisions about what we are doing - foster a collaborative atmosphere in the school - work with the community to build a better school - focus on the at risk students - differentiate for all students. Now our technology plan isn’t at the forefront and that needs to change. Meanwhile, we are moving along in the areas mentioned above. I guess that’s what is different for me than for many of the other bloggers that are in my GoogleReader. As much as technology is important and I believe we have to do more at all levels, I have real influence at my level and that is where I will put energy - with a bit going to the division level. The admin blog I started has 11 enteries, all from me. But I’ll keep reminding people and encouraging them to use it. The admin and school wiki hasn’t had any visitors but it will. The podcast idea isn’t quite taking off like I thought if would - but it will. But there is definitely a spread between the blogs of many of the teachers I’ve read and those blogs from people with digital intelligence. They are out there, pushing the lines forward. As an administrator, I’ll support any teacher doing that but I will also expect that the other initiatives are being met - like it or not, we are legally obligated. Because I’m not a tech support person or a division technology consultant or an independent pro-technology proponent, I still have the other requirements to meet. I guess that is why I figured the book club would be a way to get together with other like minded people and share ideas. To talk about how the ideas will fit into the school world where we are - not as a tech support person, although you are welcome to join the discussion, but from administrator and teacher perspectives. So Scott, thanks for the cool graphs and such. Wish I had time to look into that kind of stuff. I do find it fascinating and maybe someday I’ll be able to do that but right now that’s not in the picture. I wish I could surf and find cool new apps but I’ve time to read or surf for apps so I thank everyone who finds the apps. But I did find an online desktop desktoptwo.com that I am trying out. So far I like it but I haven’t had all that much time to really delve into it. There is a blog spread but not the one Scott has posted. It’s more a spread between those on the technology edge and those of teachers who are trying to bring technology into the schools or their classes as regular administrators and teachers. And it appears that navel gazing has become a pastime for some in the first group. I totally agree with Bud! So, to miss proff and all those who are just beginning and struggling, keep at it. Share ideas, leave comments for one another and grow your network but don’t navel gaze. It’s, well, almost embarrassing to read! Oh, and join our book club!!! [...]
I don’t have access to Skype, but you might like to read Learning by Doing. It is a great book for starting PLC’s. An easy read and great information.
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