Will Richardson and Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach co-founded Powerful Learning Practice and they have made it their business to help educators transform their practice. They started out their session by showing this video clip:
What do you think this kid is trying to do?
Why did he use this platform to do it?
The discussion that Will and Sheryl held in this session was so meaty and powerful that I had trouble figuring out how to bring it to you in a blog post...and I almost didn't. Fortunately, I was able to find the majority of it archived here on Istevision. Please take the time to watch this and soak up their knowledge. It can really change the way you look at learning.
Are you connecting? What can we do to help you? Let's make it happen!
4 comments:
Wow - this is pretty powerful stuff. I feel like we, Chets Creek, are right on the bleeding edge of what they are talking about with professional development, but how I would like to go the next step and actually have all teachers designing their own learning. It's certainly beginning and we have pockets of teachers who get it, but how do you involve all teachers in designing their own PD and taking control of their own professional learning group and life long learning? How I would love for Sheryl and Will to spend some time at Chets? I do believe teachers have to experience that kind of learning before they are ready to lead children into taking charge of their own learning, but that is really where we are going, isn't it? We can lead or we can watch...
Hi Melanie,
The thing about designing our own PD & learning is that at the beginning we need someone to acknowledge our efforts & to let us know that we are on the right path. I have to say that not only does Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach 'talk the talk', but she truly 'walks the walk' (as corny as that saying is!). When I decided to enter the world of blogging as a means of reflecting on things around me, Sheryl was the first person to leave a comment on my blog. That simply gesture provided me with the motivation to continue blogging. I would strongly encourage all of us to take a moment and acknowledge the efforts of one other person as they embark on their self-directed learning. Your comment just might be the thing to propel them forward. And heh, who knows, they may be a presenter at ISTE2010!!!
Nancy
Nancy,
You are so right! Sometimes all it takes is special notice of the learner's effort whether it be student or teacher. It's important that we all take the time to support each other. You, yourself, have been a big encouragement to me in the world of Second Life and I know that I can come to you when I have questions. Thanks for being a critical friend for me. :)
Melanie
It is amazing to view the use of technology to meet our learning as adults and students. Reaching out to others for information is an eye-opening skill for our students and to use technology to do so seems just endless. Enjoying your posts! Happy summer:D, rachel
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