Standard 6.1 Continuous Learning
Candidates demonstrate continual growth in knowledge and skills of current and emerging technologies and apply them to improve personal productivity and professional practice. (PSC 6.1/ISTE 6a, 6b)
Artifact:
Ware Co. Learning Center Professional Learning Communities
RESA, Differentiated Instruction Workshop
Reflection:
Professional Development
During my ITEC program at KSU, I attended several professional developments which included, conferences, school, and district-based. However, attending conferences and workshops has helped me understand and learn strategies to improve my pedagogy. Also, through the professional learning opportunities, I have learned numerous digital tools and resources that I can implement in my classroom to provide students with a technology-enhanced learning environment that will be meaningful, authentic, and engaging to improve teaching and learning. I have also been able to view professional development not only as a participant but as a facilitator that has helped me gain a better understanding of the need for professional learning communities.
Through the professional learning opportunities, I attended, I had a chance to collaborate with other educators and learn new strategies to incorporate within my learning experiences that would be meaningful and engaging to students. I attended a workshop over differentiated instruction. During the workshop, I had the opportunity to communicate with other teachers and think of ideas of how to differentiate instruction to meet the needs of all students. I know that to improve my professional practices, I must attend professional learning opportunities to continue to learn and grow so I can provide learning experiences that would promote higher-order thinking skills and motivate students.
The professional learning communities helped me understand what it truly takes to provide meaningful, authentic, technology-enhanced learning experiences for students. Before conducting professional learning communities (PLCs), I viewed PLCs as something that took up my planning time and other allotted time to get vital work done. After facilitating PLCs, I have gained a deeper understanding of the importance of providing and participate in professional development opportunities. Additionally, I have learned that it takes a lot of time and planning to develop instructional materials to use during the workshops. Furthermore, I have learned to gather information regarding the needs and concerns of the teachers to provide learning opportunities to help meet the educators’ goals and needs.
Throughout the professional learning opportunities that I have attended, I have learned that these opportunities not only address instructional strategies but other strategies as well. I have attended a few workshops and conferences over promoting positive behavior interventions with students. Also, I have attended workshops on various 21st-century digital tools and resources to use in the classroom.
After furthering my knowledge of professional learning communities, I have gained a deeper understanding of the purpose of educators attending these PLCs. After reflecting on PLCs, I have concluded that they are offered to help educators and schools meet their yearly goals and improve in areas that individual teachers or the school as a whole may need improvement. Professional development opportunities allow educators a place to come and continue to learn and improve on their pedagogy for teaching and learning.
Although professional learning opportunities cannot be assessed, they have had such a significant impact on teaching and learning. As I continue to attend conferences and workshops, the more I will continue to grow in the knowledge and skills of current and emerging technologies. I will continue to apply them to improve personal productivity and professional practice.
Professional Development
During my ITEC program at KSU, I attended several professional developments which included, conferences, school, and district-based. However, attending conferences and workshops has helped me understand and learn strategies to improve my pedagogy. Also, through the professional learning opportunities, I have learned numerous digital tools and resources that I can implement in my classroom to provide students with a technology-enhanced learning environment that will be meaningful, authentic, and engaging to improve teaching and learning. I have also been able to view professional development not only as a participant but as a facilitator that has helped me gain a better understanding of the need for professional learning communities.
Through the professional learning opportunities, I attended, I had a chance to collaborate with other educators and learn new strategies to incorporate within my learning experiences that would be meaningful and engaging to students. I attended a workshop over differentiated instruction. During the workshop, I had the opportunity to communicate with other teachers and think of ideas of how to differentiate instruction to meet the needs of all students. I know that to improve my professional practices, I must attend professional learning opportunities to continue to learn and grow so I can provide learning experiences that would promote higher-order thinking skills and motivate students.
The professional learning communities helped me understand what it truly takes to provide meaningful, authentic, technology-enhanced learning experiences for students. Before conducting professional learning communities (PLCs), I viewed PLCs as something that took up my planning time and other allotted time to get vital work done. After facilitating PLCs, I have gained a deeper understanding of the importance of providing and participate in professional development opportunities. Additionally, I have learned that it takes a lot of time and planning to develop instructional materials to use during the workshops. Furthermore, I have learned to gather information regarding the needs and concerns of the teachers to provide learning opportunities to help meet the educators’ goals and needs.
Throughout the professional learning opportunities that I have attended, I have learned that these opportunities not only address instructional strategies but other strategies as well. I have attended a few workshops and conferences over promoting positive behavior interventions with students. Also, I have attended workshops on various 21st-century digital tools and resources to use in the classroom.
After furthering my knowledge of professional learning communities, I have gained a deeper understanding of the purpose of educators attending these PLCs. After reflecting on PLCs, I have concluded that they are offered to help educators and schools meet their yearly goals and improve in areas that individual teachers or the school as a whole may need improvement. Professional development opportunities allow educators a place to come and continue to learn and improve on their pedagogy for teaching and learning.
Although professional learning opportunities cannot be assessed, they have had such a significant impact on teaching and learning. As I continue to attend conferences and workshops, the more I will continue to grow in the knowledge and skills of current and emerging technologies. I will continue to apply them to improve personal productivity and professional practice.