Summer of Learning - Part One

The Forms and Formats 
of Self-Directed Learning


It has been a busy summer so far, and I am feeling so inspired by the last few months of professional development and collaboration with colleagues. I marvel at the variety of formats in which I learned. Years ago, our professional development was a sit-and-get format and we suffered through it whether we needed it or not. Fortunately, professional development has morphed into something more relevant and self-directed. When we take an active role in our own learning, we find that learning experiences come in many forms.



Google Communities

#cyberPD

This summer, I joined a Google community that brought educators together to read and discuss DIY Literacy: Teaching Tools for Differentiation, Rigor and Independence by Kate Roberts and Maggie Beattie Roberts. The book has inspired so many of us with teaching tools to demystify learning for students and draw them into conversations about what they need to become more independent. The authors showed us how micro porgressions, a demonstration notebook and individual bookmarks can give students the support they need.  Kate and Maggie honor the voices of children as they support thoughtful literacy learning in the classroom. Beyond the amazing advice and ideas that Kate and Maggie share in the book, there was a sense of belonging to a group of colleagues who were willing to learn together and share with each other. I was introduced to so many new digital tools as members of the group shared their weekly reflections. We had a weekly twitter chat and for the last chat Kate and Maggie joined us for the conversation.

This google community comes together every summer to read and discuss a professional book. Stay tuned as they announce in May the professional book for next summer's #cyberPD.