thinking:
#cyberPD has been on my mind a lot lately! Thinking, pondering, questioning… Is it a culmination or a commencement? Perhaps a little of both. While I have finished reading Digital Reading What’s Essential in Grades 3-8, I have so many ideas and visions. I keep telling myself I need to focus and not get overwhelmed. And, I need implement my ideas and visions one step at a time. Thanks to #cyberPD some of the ideas on my mind are Global Read Aloud, Biblionasium, Weebly, and Padlet. Also, I am glad that Franki shared her revised survey that focuses on digital reading (p. 89). Clearly it is time for me to revise my survey that definitely takes into consideration digital reading. I’ve also been pondering my formative assessment tools. What do I want to be my focus as I get ready to embark on the new school year?
reading:
The reading is finished, accomplished, complete! Chapter 6 (Assessment: Keeping Our Eye on the Literacy) & Chapter 7 (Beyond the Classroom Walls: Connecting Digital Reading at Home and School) are now wrapped up and if you visit my Goodreads page you will see that Digital Reading is now on the “read” shelf with 5 stars behind it.
As I perused Chapter 7 I have to admit that I am very fortunate to work for a district that is very progressive in terms of technology. When my learners return to the classroom in August, every learner in grades 4-6 will have their own iPad. You can read all about our One:World Initiative here. My task will be to maximize the resources the district has provided and take full advantage to the tools I have available to me. There are many benefits that our One:World initiative will embrace and Bass & Sibberson outline those benefits brilliantly on p. 101 of the text. Some of the those benefits that resonate with me are that students become digital creators by becoming independent and critical readers and parents have more access to learning in the classroom. Communication is literally at their finger tips.
listening:
This may be a stretch, but yes I have been listening. Listening to the others in the #cyberPD community. Being my first experience with Google+, I have thoroughly enjoyed reading the posts and comments on the #cyberPD page. Members have shared happenings in their classrooms, contributed their thoughts on the reading, and visited my blog by sharing kind words and offering inspiration. My ears and eyes are open and I value the collaboration of the group.
wanting:
A cliche perhaps, but what do teachers *always* need? More time!!!! Yes, I want more time. More time to chat about the book, more time to implement my ideas, and more time to share.
needing:
I absolutely have enjoyed collaborating with others in the group. What I’m needing is that feeling of collaboration within my district. I need to recruit a teacher or two in my school to share the topics and ideas that have manifested during these last three weeks. Blogging will hopefully help me keep the inspiration and vision alive.
sharing:
So many websites, apps, classroom vignettes, and ideas have been shared. As I have perused blogs and tweets one thing that has not presented itself is the utilization of a Learning Management System (LMS). The focus of chapter 6 was assessment and in my classroom I have spent a significant amount of time building my LMS, Schoology. Schoology allows me to build a digital portfolio and keep an in-depth “grade book”. (I use that term loosely because our district does not use grades.) I love that I can recall assignments and comments in just a matter of seconds.
Now we can’t forget about chapter 7 either! Schoology is also a way that I am able to connect our digital classroom with parents and other colleagues. I use Schoology for collaborating, assessing, and discussing…just to name a few! If you have a moment to check out Schoology, please do so. I know this would be a great topic for a blog post and, in fact, it’s on my list of blog topics. If you use Schoology, I would love to hear from you!
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A special thank you to Cathy Mere of Reflect and Refine, Michelle Nero of Literacy Learning Zone, and Laura Komos for hosting #cyberPD 2015. Click here to learn more about #cyberPD.
#cypberpd 2015
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Slice of Life
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Runner, Reader, & Rockin' Mom 
If you read my post, you’ll see that this is my first year of retirement, so I only have plans to learn more tech for myself, & perhaps will share, at least this book, with my school & colleagues. I am intrigued by your school system; no grades is quite different from most. My independent school also did not use grades for assessment. And how wonderful about the IPad one on one. There is so much available for students now. I know you will go one step at a time, but the thoughts of what’s possible are exciting. Best wishes.
Amy,
I love the way you broke your reflection into verbs – reading, listening, sharing, thinking, needing and wanting. I could relate to so much of what you wrote. About 6 years ago I began using Twitter. It has helped me grow and given me a place to find like-minded educators that push me to do better. This is my first time also using the Google Plus community and I really like it! Thank you for mentioning Schoology, I will need to check it out.
Enjoy the rest of your summer!
Debbie
Thanks, Debbie! I’m glad you stopped by for a visit!
Amy,
I enjoyed your enthusiasm for this digital learning conversation. We are fortunate to have such an amazing community. Each summer as I read the book chosen, I know I learn so much more (and become so much more committed to next steps) as a result of reading the thinking of colleagues.
Laura, Michelle, and I have been talking a lot about the way we can keep this conversation going across the school year. The Google Community and the new website on Weebly give of spaces to open the door to new opportunities. We’d love to hear your thinking on this. Like you, I am happy to know I have the support of this #cyberPD community has I begin to work these ideas in my daily practice. This year, several teachers from our district joined the conversation. I’m equally excited to have local colleagues to hold me accountable and help me in next steps. I hope you find someone willing to dive in with you. I think it makes a big difference to work through these challenges together.
Thanks for joining the conversation,
Cathy