Wednesday, December 2, 2009



Professional Development Reflection


Please post your response to the following by the end of the day on 12/7/09. Feel free to revisit the blog after you post, as others may respond to your post at a later date.


What did you find most beneficial from the morning session of the PDD? Do you have any lingering questions/concerns/unresolved issues from the morning session? What did you find most beneficial from the technology session? How could you integrate any of the technology from the afternoon session into your practice?

35 comments:

  1. I thought that the presentations by our colleagues were well done! Sometimes it is tough to integrate technology when we don't have all the necessary resources in our classrooms (or when we have 50 students in a class!) but there are some concepts that I will try to use. I do like the idea of googledocs because I am constantly emailing myself things from my computer at home to use at school!!

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  2. Korpics----
    I found it interesting that nearly everyone had the same ideas on what to "table" for the time being. It seems that many are on the same page. I can see how Study Island could be easily implemented in the classroom. It would be great to use during tutoring (Andy's room would be useful during this time). Jeff showed me how to use google docs, and I found it useful.

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  3. I have used Google Docs before, but was not aware of the sharing feature. I have now set up a blogspot site where students can link to their paper from anywhere and work on it anywhere. No more, "I lost my paper" silliness. P.S. I can also grade it from anywhere.

    www.mrabelsms.blogspot.com

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  4. I really enjoyed the openess of our staff. I feel if we are open to discuss real issues and people are not in fear of expressing concerns or issues, than we can truly get somewhere. We also have to not be so set in our ways so when these discussions come up that we can alter some things that we do in our classrooms so that we are on the same page. Thats what will make us stronger as school, by working as a unit! I also was very impressed with the presentation of my fellow co-workers. They delivered and really brought some great ideas. Thanks a bundle! Maliya

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  5. I think the most beneficial part of the morning was the open forum atmosphere--being able to share our ideas, brainstorm, and be heard. I think it was refreshing to get a lot of ideas and opinions off our chests and out in the open. By "taking things off the table" we are able to focus on what we feel are the most important initiatives for our school. I would like to start sharing technology ideas on a regular basis. I know Michelle shares a lot on this blog and I would like to explore additional ways we can share the great ideas we hear about--maybe during staff meetings? a newsletter? a monthly webletter? Now I'm waiting for people to come see me about bringing their classes down to integrate some of these ideas into their teaching. I'm willing to work with you...

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  6. I found it very refreshing to be able to discuss some of the items that should be "tabled" during this difficult transitional period at SMS. Although it is great that we have so many initiatives at SMS to try and help our students and staff, it can be very overwhelming to try and put our full effort into each of these programs. The technology session was very informative and gave me many practical ideas for utilizing technology in the classroom. I am excited to use the Google Docs feature with my ELA students!

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  7. I really liked the Do Now activity as a beginning activity. Lots of different ways to use in the classroom, from getting to know each other, to study questions, or to finding new solutions to a problem. It was great to see how much we do here as a school and that we were able to discuss issues and come to a consensus to "table" a few. It will be interesting to see what the district wide grading policy will look like. The technology presentations were informative and very well done. I especially liked learning about Google Docs because I too am always e-mailing work to myself. I want to brainstorm ways to use in the music classroom when they are not preparing for a concert. Loved being at the SMS the meeting with everyone. I miss that...

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  8. Stephanie StojanovskiDecember 2, 2009 at 1:53 PM

    The morning brought clarity and answers to our many questions. The afternoon was useful since I was unfamiliar with the websites discussed. I will be using Google Docs in the future.

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  9. It was very nice to see most people were on the same page as what we need to keep and what can be "tabled". I enjoyed the open forum and being able to talk things over with co-workers. I feel we can now put more energy into things we think are most important. Loved the google docs and calendar as well. The calendar would be nice for teams to use to post tests and IEPs.

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  10. I'm still concerned that our district makes changes without consulting all of the stakeholders. The Board of Education's decision to mandate Class A was clearly done without consultation of teachers who have used the technology. Furthermore, the Board policy of requiring summative assessment data without providing collaborative time to put together the data is frustrating.

    On the other hand, I am very appreciative of Mrs. Herring's willingness to listen to our criticisms. It can't be easy for her because whether we all agree with the concepts, I do believe that we all agree that Mrs. Herring's heart is in the right place when it comes to trying to use things like standards-based report cards to improve student learning and communication to the parents. I find it very easy to support a leader who wants to make things better for the students. I find it easier to support a leader who wants to make things better for the students and works with the teachers on the front lines to make it work. Thank you Michelle.

    As far as technology goes, I like technology.

    Korps - Feel free to use my room when I'm not in it for tutoring, but leave the food and drink out!

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  11. It's amazing how much difference a year can make. I felt really at home at the staff meeting, as evident by my long winded comments, but it was really nice to see SMS like an "us" instead of a "you." I'm proud to be a part of our school.

    We are doing Study Island on Tuesday, hopefully, and I'm excited to get some help teaching context clues.

    I am loving the idea of a Wednesday morning without a staff meeting, so long live the blog! Amy

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  13. I really liked the idea of using google docs. I think that it will be a very useful tool for communicating info. amongst teachers. It will be helpful for me as a special education teacher to provide information to my co-teachers about students assignments and IEP's. I also thought the website "Delicious" was a cool concept and I look forward to using that in the future as well. Thanks for the info. on these two sites!

    It was nice meeting all of you and I look forward to working with you!

    ~Jessica Schwartz-Olma

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  14. What an awesome staff we have! I like the format used at the morning meeting, the way many voices were heard. We can learn so much from each other. I think that we have to revist some of the concerns that people voiced, but I felt like we accomplished a lot. I also liked seeing all of the things we do at SMS on the chart paper. I am proud to be part of a school that does so much for kids. The afternoon was helpful for me and I hope to use some video clips for math lessons. I am really enjoying reading everyone's comments here. This is another way to hear many voices. Thanks to everyone for a great experience.

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  15. As a coach I see the use of doc's as a good organizational tool. Also with the addition of pulse in zangle, we, coaches can or should be able to have our teams set up for all sorts of uses and information. Once again, the workshop clearly showed the lack of interest the district has in providing consist and quality machines.

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  16. The morning session of our PD Day will enable us, as educators, to refocus our efforts, and, as a building, be more consistent. P.S. I loved the snowball fight.
    One of my professional goals this year is to incorporate more technology into my lessons. Thank you for providing me with a bunch of new ideas and all the websites.

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  17. It was important to hear that many of us share the same frustrations and were able to openly express those feelings--hats off to our administrators! The afternoon gave me some ideas to use with my computer at home along with my school computer.

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  18. Thank you for the gentle reminder, Andy. Here is my submission.

    I agree to the agreements regarding the tabled items that we, as a group, agreed upon. It is nice to share our view points in a professional way, and to also whip snowballs at each other in a less professional way, in hopes of building stronger personal bonds. Nice shot, Fred.

    I am excited to use the google docs, and am hopeful for the quick arrival of the science component for the study island. MEAP review will now be less painful, and less painful, too.

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  19. Besides being introduced and being able to throw pieces of papre and staff members (sorry if I hit any one in the face), the most benifical part of the morning session was hearing that the majority of staff are on the same page as far as what needs to be put on the back burner to benefit the school.
    The pm technology/study island seesion was very useful I just wish that I could use this valuable piece of technology in my content area. Google Docs looks very useful and I am in the process of using this valuable technology.

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  20. I love the great staff I am able to work with here at South! It was nice to have time to work as a staff collectively - I really enjoyed the snowball fight and the small group time.
    I was pleased to see us let go of some items in order to focus more clearly on others. Like Andy,I do wish the members of the school board were more aware of what is actually happening throughout the district and could make better informed decisions.
    I was very grateful to Michelle for hearing our concerns and going to bat for us. Thanks Michelle!
    I still need more time and training in the technology arena, but thankfully there are many willing and helpful staff members. Again, thanks! Reggie

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  21. As an educator I feel that I do not incorporate technology enough into the classroom. The PDD gave me great insight on how I can do that. Hopefully, by using technology I can engage my students and make my job a little easier at the same time! Great job to all of the presentors as well!

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  22. I found the morning session to be beneficial as we were able to analyze the various areas and determine the parts of these areas on which we most need to concentrate. From the afternoon session, I learned about Study Island which I plan to use to reinforce the students’ learning of the topics covered in class. I especially liked the games on Study Island. The students can have fun while they are increasing their understanding of the subject material.

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  23. I was very satisfied with the outcome of the morning session and feel that we are more focused on fewer areas thanks to our administration. It was good to hear the staff voice their opinions. I felt we were all pretty much on the same page. The afternoon session was valuable to me in learning how technology can facilitate instruction. However, I am concerned with the lack of technology resources that we have to implement these ideas with. All of the presenters did a great job!

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  24. It was nice for the staff to have the opportunity to have an open discussion.

    At camp the sixth grade staff discussed doing a cross curricular unit. I think google docs would be a very useful planning tool.

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  25. Thanks to all of the presenters. Well done!

    I really enjoyed hearing about GoogleDocs.
    GoogleDocs has a number of templates created by other educators that are free to use and edit. The possibilities are endless!

    Fred, a very cool use of the Google Docs.

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  26. I really enjoyed listening to discussion of the tabled/non-tabled items. I also thought we had a very nice afternoon session with only slight technical difficulties. As always, if anyone needs clarification or further information on any of the topics, I would be very happy to assist.

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  27. It was wonderful to see how much we do here as a school. I thought it was helpful to discuss our concerns as a staff in a professional way.The technology session was very informative. I hope to spend additional time seaching for math video clips.

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  28. As teachers, we spend a lot of time hearing about all of the things that we're doing wrong.Our brainstorming gave us a chance to see and discuss the many things that we do right. It's easy to forget about all of the good that happens here at South on a daily basis. We have a great staff and we do great things for kids. The technology presentations included many good ideas, but if I'm being 100% honest, my body was present, but my brain was already at camp.

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  29. Best PDD ever!

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  30. I think that the morning was the best morning PD we've ever had. I got to sit with Craig and discuss the things I believe make South great. I really felt that everyone felt confident that their opinions were heard. Study Island seemed interesting. I was setting up my classes and realized that many of my students weren't enrolled. How do I go about getting them in so I can assign reviews?

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  31. I liked very much the focusing on quality rather than quantity. Going for the best in class!!! I like also hearing the view points of my collegues.

    Estefania

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  32. I am already using the delicious site with social bookmarking. I am ready to start using Googledocs Fred real soon! A big thanks to Chris and Paul - they will truly run down and help you with technology the day of as long as they are available. I would like to see more technology PDD's.

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  33. I thought the staff was able to really talk about things that are important.

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  34. I felt the meeting was very successful. A lot of the staff members were able to voice their opinions. It also, seemed a lot of staff members have the same concerns on our grading scale.
    The technology meeting I attend was very good. Our instructor very detailed in describing how to use island.

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  35. Kevin said...

    I really like Fred's website. His haircut too.

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