Want to learn about how my students and I have connected with blogging buddies around the world? As I have blogged about here, RSCON3 is the third Reform Symposium e-conference for educators. It is 100% free and is scheduled to be held on July 30th – August 1st, 2011. My presentation – Connecting with Global […]
Professional Learning
All About Twitter Hashtags
After writing my Teacher Challenge guest post on using Twitter to build your PLN, I was asked by a number of people about hashtags. I know when I first started using Twitter, it took me a little while to get my head around what the # symbol meant. This is a handy feature of Twitter […]
RSCON3 – Free PD in your PJs!
Want the chance to be inspired by education professionals from around the world while relaxing in your PJs? RSCON3 is the third Reform Symposium e-conference for educators. It is 100% free and is scheduled to be held on July 30th – August 1st, 2011. RSCON3 will focus on interactive presentations that help teachers create engaging […]
Guest Post about Twitter on PLN Challenge
As I have blogged about before, Edublogs supports a Student Blogging Challenge and Teacher Blogging Challenge which are two excellent forms of free professional development. The current Teacher Blogging Challenge is called “30 Days to a Whole New PLN”. There will be two or three posts each week about setting up, enhancing, and participating in […]
Are you on LinkedIN?
Recently I read on the oz-teachers mailing list a warning for teachers about using social networking sites unprofessionally. This UK article, suggests that teachers should be cautious of what they post online and check what information is available about them. Teachers are warned that schools are scouring social networking sites and googling potential candidates for […]
Keeping up with Blogs
I became a proud iPad 2 owner this week and it’s been a steep learning curve to learn as much as I can about my shiny new tool! After getting my iPad I was inspired to work on updating the blogs in my Google Reader. I know I’m not alone in being a little neglectful […]
How Do You Reflect? Options For Teachers And Students
A few weeks ago, I was listening to Chris Betcher on the Virtual Staffroom podcast interviewing Helen Otway. Helen is an inspiring leader at a Victorian P-12 school. Many of the topics Chris and Helen talked about struck chords with me including the idea of developing a more thoughtful approach to teaching and learning through […]
Top 10 Twitter Tips!
Without a doubt, Twitter is my number one form of professional development and I am always recommending it to other educators. I first joined Twitter in early 2009 although I didn’t start using it daily until early 2010. I find Twitter to be a one stop shop to meet like-minded educators. It is a place […]
Two Victorian Conferences
My team teaching partner, Kelly Jordan, and I have been accepted to present at two conferences in Melbourne in May. As many of you know, Kelly and I have been blogging with our primary classes since 2008 and it is something we are passionate about after seeing so many benefits. In our presentations, we plan […]
Are you a Learner or Learned?
Today I attended the first session of PLP ConnectU project. This project, sponsored by the Victoria Education Department (DEECD) is run by Will Richardson and Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach. The project offers year long, job-embedded professional development that helps teachers to re-envision their classrooms, schools, and their roles in education. Five reasons why I enjoyed the day… […]
Using Downloaded Fonts
For almost as long as I have been using Microsoft Word and PowerPoint, I have enjoyed downloading a range of fonts to enhance the appearance of my presentations or documents. A couple of people have asked me lately how to use downloaded fonts. This post is an overview. I’m sure many people agree Times New […]
Tech Tools for Teachers is Back!
ABOUT TECH TOOLS FOR TEACHERS Simon Collier and I began a free e-newsletter for educators called Tech Tools for Teachers in January 2010. Each edition of the e-newsletter highlights an online tool or site that can be used in the classroom and provides step-by-step instructions on how to use it. Tech Tools for Teachers is […]
Student and Teacher Blogging Challenges
Whatever stage you’re at with blogging, there is always something new to learn. Fortunately, there is a great community of educational bloggers online and many different ways to engage in professional learning available. Even if you’re the only blogger at your school, you are not alone! The Student Blogging Challenge and Teacher Blogging Challenge are […]
Five Steps to Starting a Class Blog
The school year began in Victoria, Australia last week. Many teachers have been thinking about the benefits of having a class blog and are keen to start their own class blog. I’ve been getting lots of questions about the process of starting a blog so I thought I would write a post to help get […]
2011 School Year Begins
Today was the first day back at school for teachers in Victorian Government Schools. All schools are spending the first three days on professional development and planning. This year my school is focussing on in-house professional development. Each Monday night teachers will be presenting on Literacy, Numeracy and ICT. I am in charge of ICT […]