The CLiC team at Gleneagles are investigating how we can learn together vertically across the school. We are learning about how we can be better learners at all levels.
Literacy Investigation
Ostensibly my involvement in the Gleneagles Literacy Investigation team is to help guide the school's direction in endeavouring to improve our students' literacy learning. However, for me this is a professional learning opportunity that is authentic and in the same way as TPL, is teaching me, as I aim to teach my students. We are in effect following an Evidence Inquiry Cycle (EIC) and are trying out some of the things we learn about as we try to meet our teaching and learning needs. This will be an ongoing investigation and learning process for the next few years.
My Professional Learning
Learning occurs when we reflect upon our experiences. Professional learning is part of everyday for me. I have maintained a reflective diary for many years.
Some of the Professional Development courses I have attended over the past few years include:
PLS - Coaching Skills for Successful Teaching & subsequently the trainers course.
I am involved with a team of teachers who are investigating their own classroom practice and how we can better meet our students learning needs. We spent first term identifying our students' learning needs. Term 2 we have been trying out some new ideas on how we can focus on the aspects they need. We each teach 9I and for term 3 & 4 we are planning units of work to embed some of the things we are exploring during term 2.
Professional Learning for Others
I have provided a wide range of professional learning for others. At times these have been sessions ones I have prepared myself and others they have been courses developed by a third party provider. Some of the more recent courses I have presented are:
Intel Teach Essentials Online
ICT Peer Coaching
Connecting my classroom
Digital Portfolios
Gamemaker for beginners
Web 2.0 for Principals
Making the best of the web for your domain (secondary)