Unconference professional development Edcamp participant perceptions and motivations for attendance(1) Edcamp unconferences: Educators' perspectives on an untraditional professional learning experience. Open Access Highlights Edcamps are an informal, voluntary, participant-driven form of unconference. 769 participants commented on their Edcamp experiences and motivations. 94% of respondents gave positive ratings to their Edcamp experiences. 94% of respondents indicated interest in participating in future Edcamps.
Participants valued the learning process more than specific learning outcomes. Abstract Edcamps are a free, voluntary, and participant-driven form of unconference professional development. Keywords Teacher education; Professional development; Teacher collaboration; Informal learning; Heutagogy; Andragogy 1. Many educators, scholars, and policy makers see professional development (PD) as key to the improvement of teaching, learning, and schools (e.g., Mourshed et al., 2010 and Opfer and Pedder, 2011). Ed Camps vs Traditional PD. One of the best things that I did this year was attend a couple of Ed Camps.
Before last spring I had never attended an Ed Camp or really even heard too much about them. I would see some stuff on Twitter about them but didn’t think too much about it. Luckily I had some friends ask if I wanted to go with them to one and that was all it took. That day of learning was by far the best day of learning I have had with other teachers. Standard conferences are nice but actually having time to have discussions and learn together is the key part of learning.
For those that do not know about Ed Camps, they usually follow the same guidelines. Now compare this to our traditional professional development that takes place at school. Not all PD is bad though, many schools are trying to do differentiated PD that is focused on the actual needs teachers have. Like this: Like Loading... How Edcamps Are Changing the Face of PD. Edcamp Do's & Don'ts Do practice the Rule of Two Feet—get up and move to another session if the one you’re in isn’t meeting your needs.
Do drop in at Edcamp 101, a quick pre-session meetup, if it’s your first time. Do start your own session if there’s something you really want to talk about that’s not on the board. Don’t pull out your Powerpoint presentation from the last conference you attended—and if you do, don’t be surprised when you lose your audience. Don’t always present if you’re a veteran—take a step back and simply listen. How Should Professional Development Change? Teachers in the United States have long known that there is a traditional “disconnect” between what teachers were expected to do and how the teachers were expected to learn how to do it.
Teachers attend professional development sessions of all kinds, but unfailingly will acknowledge that the real development of teacher skills for most teachers in the U.S. is “on the job” or “learning by doing.” Job-imbedded professional development through teacher collaboration is becoming a more significant factor in more and more school systems worldwide. This is demonstrated in the report from the National Center for Teaching Quality (NCTQ) out of North Carolina published in May, 2014.
This report shines more light on not only the American professional development perspectives, but also perspectives from teachers in Shanghai, Singapore, and Canada -- nations that significantly outperform the U.S. on the Program for International Assessment (PISA). Report Findings What Needs to Change. Untitled. The Magic Ingredient for Professional Learning. Good professional learning matters.
A lot. Exposure to effective, empowered adult learning experiences is a powerful prerequisite when it comes to the creation of positive, relevant learning designs for kids. However, changing the "look and feel" of professional learning in your region or district can be daunting. What if people don't like it? What if they don't get it? However, there's a magical ingredient that can make any innovative PD session less scary: POSITIVE PEOPLE. You know the type... The ones who will be able to make connections between the learning and their personal experienceThe ones who will take risks and try new thingsThe ones who will laugh in the processThe ones who can handle unexpected roadblocks or challengesThe ones who know that learning really matters because it helps kids If you're a school leader, you need to find your POSITIVE PEOPLE.
Why GOOD Professional Development Matters: A Simple Math Equation. We've all heard the mantra: There's just not time for additional professional learning.
We all know the reasons: Why. We. Edcamp! Teachers as Technology Trailblazers. #Edcamp Express?
What in the world is that? An #Edcamp Express is a short (2 hours or so) Edcamp event on a weeknight or morning. It brings small groups of people together to dialogue on best practice. It's a great way to keep the connection going between Edcamp events. What is Edcamp? A Beginners Unconference Guide. Edcamp Online - Home. 2016 Edcamp Organizer Checklist. Organizer Information. Attending your first Edcamp So you’re interested in hosting an Edcamp.
Well, the best way to learn how is to attend one. With hundreds of Edcamps happening all over the world every year, odds are pretty good you will be able to find something coming up near you. At an Edcamp, you will learn firsthand about the structure and shape of these special conversations. You might even be able to shadow an organizer for a day or so to learn more about the planning process. Edcamp Reflection Guide from MrsGeology.com. EdCamp 101. EdCamp. TEDxPhiladelphiaED - Kristen Swanson - EdCamp.