November 11, 2008
I spent just about two hours today with PJ Higgins and six of his teachers, Skyped into their professional development, talking about how I succeed and fail implementing literature circles and writer’s workshop approaches in the classroom. I found myself walking from room to room in my house, gesticulating to the air, passionately attempting to seduce these thoughtful, caring educators into my kid-driven, constructivist world. I had no idea I could get so fired up.
Here’s the kicker. Despite all my previous (and continued) skepticism about the use of technology in the classroom, I have no doubt– none– about its focused benefits for cross-literate adults, particularly for the traditionally isolated teacher. I have never laid eyes on Patrick. We discovered one another’s blogs through a chance link on a third blog. He’s in New Jersey, for cripe’s sake. And yet I got more pleasure and food for thought out of this day than any professional development I’ve done at home in a long while.
November 11th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
We have a winner! (Several, in fact…)
November 12th, 2008 at 5:19 am
Reflection about our own work to others helps us clarify and articulate so much better what we are doing ourselves. I truly believe that. What a great experience this must have been…for all of you. Wish you had recorded it for all of us!!
November 12th, 2008 at 6:22 am
Hey Di,
And here’s another new twist to your story: I found out about your Skype session BEFORE it happened in a Twitter from Patrick—who is a guy that I’ve never met either, but someone who I’ve had several interactions with as well through our blogs and our Twitter feeds.
I immediately sent him a tweet saying that you were BRILLIANT and that we had just finished using your recent entry about literature circles as the focal point of one of our PLC planning meetings.
Crazy, huh?
I learn from you, you learn from me, we both learn from Pat, he learns from us—and we’ve never met each other.
We’ve never met, but still we learn.
That’s definitely the most profound aspect of digital tools to me—As a trailblazer who has always felt like an outsider because he’s talking about stuff that is often way out on the edge of our flat earth, I’ve never had the kind of meaningful conversations that could shape my learning in my brick-and-mortar workroom.
But online, I’ve found dozens of likeminded souls to mentally wrestle with—-and I’m better for it.
Whew—can you tell that this rings true for me?
Bill
November 12th, 2008 at 8:11 am
@Susan: I think, maybe, Pat might have recorded it? Maybe? Drop him a line.
@Bill: Pat Tweeted you? You said what? You used *what* in your meeting??!
Honestly, this stuff just knocks me over. Thank you.
And yes, I’m right with you on finding likeminded souls. The returns on this particular digital investment have been astronomical for me.
That’s not to say, of course, that we still don’t have things to argue about when it comes to students and the Internet.
November 12th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
Dina,
I don’t really think that a lone comment here can equate to the debt of gratitude I owe you. Yesterday was a phenomenal success for our teachers. It’s been my experience that, although they many the ideas I bring to them (on a good day), our teachers truly need to hear from a colleague that is going through what they are about to embark on. What you gave them was invaluable, on-the-ground strategies for how things can look in their classrooms.
The most important point for me came near the end of the first session when you made this statement: “I have to just jump right in, otherwise my fear for what might go wrong will keep me frozen and I won’t do anything.” I want that statement to resonate among the halls of the buildings I work in. Oh, and the other one that really stuck with our teachers: “If I am asking my students to take risks and be unafraid of trying something new, I have to do the same.”
The visual you gave me through your post was fantastic; I thought you were sitting in one spot the whole time! Little did we know you were pacing about the house and talking with gestures.
If there is anything in the future that I can assist you with, please be sure to let me know and I will gladly repay the favor. You were wonderful for our teachers.
November 12th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
Another interesting connection to add to your list:
I found this blog post thanks to Patrick, who replied to my Twitter request for help finding middle and high school teachers using Reader’s and Writer’s workshop in the classroom.
Here at the International School Bangkok (in Thailand) we are just implementing RW and WW and would love to connect with others that are already familiar with the process. Interested?
November 13th, 2008 at 7:44 am
I’d love to banish all prof. development/inservice and replace with PLNs (I’m ashamed at my use of that term), but blogs, twitter, and the like are for those that ‘have too much time’ according to my staff.
The line for the Xerox machine wraps around the hallway between homeroom and first period.
November 13th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
@Kim: Yes!! Email me.
@Ken: oh, hell. Should I get back on Twitter?
November 24th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
Hey Dina — Yes, there are some cool folks down here in New Jersey!
Great post. Love the PLN. That’s exactly what it is. Patrick is a pro.
Hope all is well. Skyped with Kerstin today.
Take care,
- Alex
November 25th, 2008 at 8:44 pm
AW, Alex– that’s not what I meant about New Jersey!!
I meant only that it’s relatively far away from where I am– never mind Thailand.
Great pic, by the way, and so glad you know Patrick. You heading for Educon this year?
November 25th, 2008 at 11:33 pm
Hey Dina — You know that in New Jersey, only the strong survive, right? Can definitely take Jersey jokes.
Thinking about Educon. Just saw the session previews: http://educon21.wikispaces.com/Conversations via twitter (hint, hint:)) but I have another conference I’ll be away for earlier on in January. I may make it a day trip again as I did last year. You going? If you’re driving, you could make a pit stop here on the way. Let me know.
Happy Thanksgiving.