Virtual PD and PLCs

 Definitely an idea whose time has come, as I have been arguing for several years. I am also a proponent of using contemporary tools to enhance the Professional Learning Community. Ideas and professional discussion do not have to take place only on Wednesday between 1:30 and 2:30 pm.

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Virtual Conferences and PLC'S

By Peter DeWitt on April 12, 2012 2:16 PM

from Education Week

In the old days if teachers and administrators wanted professional development, they would have to take a day from school and head to an alternate site to get some hands on training....or sit through a speaker who may not be very engaging. Although we still get multiple mailings now, we used to have to wait until a professional development opportunity worth our time showed up in our mailbox. Those days are not as important as they used to be. Good conferences are always worth attending but while educators are waiting for the next great one they can log on and get some quick, authentic PD right away.

With the internet and social networking sites like Twitter, educators can get on demand professional development just by turning on their computer. One of my favorites is Todd Whitaker and I can find him on Twitter and connect which is always an awesome opportunity. Not to mention all of the principals, teachers, writers and researchers who are on there sharing their knowledge as well. This on-site professional development changes the way leaders lead and the way teachers teach. It's closing the gap between educators and their students who used to think they were twenty years behind. Educators are actually using the 21st century skills they preach about in the classroom!

This brings many benefits to our students. They see us model good teaching practices, and they feel less disconnected from us. There are times when educators and their students share with one another through these same social networking sites and it creates a richer experience for both parties.

Professional Learning Communities (PLC'S)
If you're on Twitter you already know about PLC's. If you're not on Twitter, you should be because there are millions of educators talking to, sharing with, and teaching to their colleagues near and far. There is nothing more powerful than meeting educators across the globe who share the same passion for education that we do.

read the complete article here