Professional learning and development is a passion of mine. I believe professional learning should be ongoing as well be responsive to your needs and the individuals you serve. We are required by my district and professional organization to develop a professional growth plan every year. These professional goals are what you feel are important but also take into consideration school and district's goals. As a professional and according to my teaching quality practice standards in Alberta we have to be life long learners.
One of the biggest strategies I have used to maintain my exploration and development is Twitter. Twitter has played a major impact in my PLN Network. I follow many different Twitter Chats and hashtags such as #futurereadylibs #leadlap and #litlap, just to name a few. I actually started my Twitter journey as a co-founder of Canadian Ed Chat and was the moderator of that chat for four years. Participating in Twitter Chats has allowed me to create a wonderful network of individuals who I can count on when I have questions. The additional benefits of Twitter is it often leads to blog posts, Pinterest boards and websites for further exploration if you wish. If I could only recommend one form of social media or one simple and easy effective professional development - I would highly recommend Twitter.
My district has finally in the last year also found the value in using Twitter to connect schools within our district. Our district is very unique as it encompasses both rural and urban schools and covers a vast area. We now use Twitter to share our learning and professional practice through the hashtags #eipsteaches #eipsreads.
Although this video by Alex Couros (@courosa) is from 2013, I think it highlights the importance of using Twitter and becoming knowledgeable in how to use hashtags to foster your professional learning. I have two Twitter accounts myself. I have one that I use personally/professionally (@TheCandyDish) and one that I use with my students in the classroom as well as use with regards to the Learning Commons at my school (MsWellsTaylor).
If your are interested in learning more about twitter or how to enhance your twitter experience, I recommend the book What Connected Educators Do Differently by Todd Whitaker (@ToddWhitaker), Jeffrey Zoul (Jeff_Zoul) and Jimmy Casas (@casas_jimmy). I would recommend buying this as an ebook due to the various links.
I have been thinking a lot lately how to develop my skills more in the area of teacher librarian. Since I am the only teacher librarian in my area, I find it hard to network or get new ideas locally. As well as I find it difficult to learn about current research in my area. I recently got my own subscription for the School Library Journal. I would like to look into joining a few professional organizations in my area related to libraries to meet new people and network with others in the related field. Since this is my first year in the library, I have never been a part of library organizations or associations. The organizations that I am currently looking into include Library Association of Alberta and Alberta School Learning Commons.
My hope is as I go further into my studies in Teacher Librarian, I will locate additional resources and sources which will further my professional learning with learning commons and the role of the teacher librarian.
Teachers.ab.ca. (2018). Pages - Teacher Professional Growth Plans. [online] Available at: https://www.teachers.ab.ca/For%20Members/ProfessionalGrowth/Pages/Teacher%20Professional%20Growth%20Plans.aspx [Accessed 14 Oct. 2018].
Whitaker, T., Zoul, J., & Casas, J. (2015). What connected educators do differently. New York, NY: Routledge.
2 comments:
A good reminder for our class community about how effective twitter can be in helping us find networks of support, important and helpful advice, and useful guides and support. Your implementation of professional development with personal exploration and continued enthusiasm allows you to explore further and connect with other T-Ls from all across the globe. This can go a long way to helping address the isolation of a lack of T-Ls in your district. Also, as a counterpoint your subscription to School Library Journal is a great way to stay on top of other developments and important articles in the T-L world.
Oh, wow, Theresa, you've introduced me to so many new hashtags in just one post! Thank you! I'm grateful to have you as a member of my PLN. That's really interesting that you were a co-founder of Canadian Ed Chat. I love it when there are Canadian groups, as we often have different issues than Americans, and it's nice to talk to people who get it. What would you say is your favourite takeaway from "What Connected Educators Do Differently?". All the best as you work to connect with other Albertan TLs.
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