I appreciate the ability to choose a PD that best fits our needs. I also appreciate the personal time given to learn and respond to these programs. Challenges include the lack of collaboration with teachers at other schools, sharing and discussing ideas and learning new teaching methods in person. Sometimes that personal interaction with other teachers can foster a relationship where materials are shared and ideas are dispersed.

The amount of resources on social media for teaching really surprised me! We naturally think social media is mindless posting and scrolling, however, it can be used to connect with PLN’s (professional learning networks) in your network. I began to follow the hashtag ‘iteachfirst’ on Instagram and have been connected with numerous teachers from around the world. These teachers have shared anchor charts, lesson ideas and also have connected me with online PD modules for guided reading. Also, the hashtag ‘targetteacher’ has been a surprisingly great resource for using simple items in the target dollar section for classroom materials and management ideas. These hashtags have also connected me with teacher bloggers and influencers that have provided great ideas for remediation and acceleration. 

Connection with PLN’s around the world through social media. I was connected to educators in my field and was able to attend and participate in online webinars. I also gained a great amount of information and resources through these educators. Specific ideas, lessons and activities have been shared on specific topics. These PLN’s have also been a great resource for class buddies for writing and research.

Open ended - share a thoughtful reflection of your choice.

I have really enjoyed having the time to do this on my own. I liked the format of using Padlet in order to post our responses. I chose to do my graduate school work which was great for me in the sense of not adding another thing to my plate but I did miss reading through a book with my peers. I did a book study last year in our department meetings which was my favorite.

K. Tedder

-How does this PD promote the four C's in your classroom?
This PD helped me think critically about how much freedom I give students to go beyond a simple assignment. If I ask my students to go beyond an initial simple task, they tap into critical thinking skills that they will need in the future. Getting the opportunity to choose my PD improved my communication skills among colleagues by using Twitter and hearing what others think about the book I read. I also enjoyed collaborating with people from other schools that follow me on twitter. Some of them are planning to read the same book this summer! I liked having the chance to creatively apply the concepts that I knew would make a difference in my classroom. 

-Open ended - share a thoughtful reflection of your choice.
When I look back on my own special memories this year, I really believe that kids deserve to share those same special memories with us. I want each day I teach to be a memorable day for my students.

-What is an idea you have had that you have wanted to try but haven't?
In the book we read, there was an idea about having an online pen pal through Skype and you have to guess where they're from and then if you're lucky, continue that relationship. Fun idea. I'm not sure how to fit it into American History (maybe talk with someone from England about what they learn about American Revolution) or English IV (maybe talk to someone in England about a book we read). I don't know. It just seems fun even if I haven't found a way to do it yet. 

-What has had real meaning?
The best part about this whole process has been the interaction through a slow Twitter chat. It allows people to digest the information, take in someone's thoughts, and then respond thoughtfully with another person. If we were all in a traditional PD, I think people are more apt to just say anything off the top of their head. 

I would like to integrate more real world assignments associated with the Spanish language and culture in my classes.   In hopes that my students will find value in what they are learning and want to complete these for their learning experiences and not just for a grade.  Similar to this PD, it would be nice to make their learning more personal in the hopes that they gain far more than just a grade, or something that they feel like they have to check off their list. 
    

Finding Spanish language dramas have really been pivotal in my classroom.   I have never seen students so excited for class before I introduced these on a regular basis. I remember watching old telenovelas developed for learning in high school and being captivated by them. In fact, that is what I mostly recall from my high school foreign language classes.  With today's technology and streaming, I can find so many shows that not only teach the language at their level, but are very engaging as well.  I remember feeling guilty at first for what seemed to me as passive teaching�, but immediately felt validated when I read other's blogs about the use of telenovelas in the language classroom.  I plan to find a new drama to introduce to my students soon to prevent burn out. Sometimes a great idea just needs to be refreshed.
       

This question is loaded.  In my mind, I have a running list of ALL the things I like to do in my classroom. Some of which actually get discussed in our departmental collaboration time, however most never fully come to fruition. If only I had more time.  At the top of my list would be to find virtual amigos� for my upper level students to be in contact with consistently.  The students that I have known to be in contact with a native speaker on a regular basis seem to flourish the most in their communication skills. This also provides a real world application of their learning. Which, let's be honest, is what students want to achieve with their learning.

and Getting Started with Google Classroom for Blended Learning

-  What will you add to make this PD even better in terms of meeting your needs as a professional? 
These showed ways to use Google Drive (Formerly Google Docs).  I love that LNC has linked our email addresses to GSuite!  

Below are some tools that were discussed in the Webinars:

Paperless classrooms have many benefits. I've seen the digital classroom be instrumental in providing home bound related instruction. I want to keep finding ways to incorporate Google Assignment seeing as it provides all the resources that a student may need to complete the assignment at home on their own.  Mrs. Ignacio does a great job of sharing her Google Doc Folders with me so that we can accommodate our kids easily. 

* I have created a slides presentation on how I feel about Google assignments. (Attached below)

-How does this PD promote Digital Learning Competencies?
 The connection that I found between this Webinar was the standard, Digital Content and Instruction.  The goal is for teachers to know and use appropriate digital tools and resources for instruction. Students should have the opportunity to Identify, evaluate, and utilize appropriate digital tools and resources to challenge students to create, think critically, solve problems, establish reliability, communicate their ideas, collaborate effectively.  I feel like by learning more about Google classroom assignments I will be more likely to use them in the future. Even some of my Co-Teachers have let me re-vamp some of their lessons. For example, the students typically complete a map as part of their Biomes Unit in Earth Science. This year, instead of completing the project on paper, we turned it into a Google tour builder. The kids seemed to really enjoy completing it. Mrs. Wilson and I had to figure out how to submit the tour to Schoology. We figured out how to post the tour link. I am glad we stepped out of our norm and technologically augmented this assignment for them.
- List benefits & challenges of doing PD this way (LNC Choice). What changes would you make? 

I like the flexibility and variety of the Ed Web webinars. I have been specifically looking at ways to increase technology in the classroom. However, some webinars have not been as beneficial as I already knew most of the basics. I enjoy getting the opportunity to participate in PD without having to arrange for childcare.

*

Conceivably I could completely re-vamp my grammar warmups for my freshmen, turning some explanation parts into videos they could watch and review at home. For AP Lang, I could also re-vamp summer reading and provide some direct instruction clips to help them along the way.

What's a new way you can be creative in class and enhance your students excitement?

I think that there is a lot of opportunity for a flipped classroom to be 'entertaining.'  Grammar can be a really tough sell, but creating some videos to help students would allow my own goofy side to show.  I actually also like the sketch note activity they just presented in the faculty meeting yesterday.  I am going to do something with that; I just haven't figured out where I can put it in - typing this just now, actually I think this would be an amazing way for my AP students to synthesize their ideas about each essay type for the exam, and also the content in the style manual we've been using this year. 

-Open ended - share a thoughtful reflection of your choice.
When it comes to planning lessons I'm at my best when I have time time to think both before and after the lesson. Honestly my best PD is time alone in the classroom. I think that, in addition to planning new ideas, it's important to reflect on previous lessons and consider how to improve them. This is a critical part of the teaching process that can too easily be short-changed. I do appreciate how PD has been structured this year because we've been given some flexibility and choice as well as quality time alone or with colleagues to reflect, brainstorm and plan. 

-The focus of the seminar I took was 100% on digital learning tools, which directly aligned with the digital learning competencies. Basically, it was 2 weeks of learning all the tools recommended to educators for integration into the classroom. It also covered many of the topics designed to encourage good digital citizenship, such as proper use of copyrighted materials and how to avoid digital plagiarism. There was even a unit on how to engage in appropriate professional and social online interaction. Explaining contemporary strategies that satisfy the digital competencies was the main objective of this online seminar.
-List benefits & challenges of doing PD this way (LNC Choice). What changes would you make?

-Doing PD this way has been an amazing experience this year. With the ability to satisfy my requirements during an E-learning or work day, it made working PD into my crazy schedule much more rewarding. Similarly, the ability to utilize grad school and directly link it to my LNC experience was a "best-case" scenario for me and made me think about how to connect these two spheres of my professional life.

 

-What are some things you are already successfully implementing in your classroom as a result of this PD?

I am doing a better job at fine tuning the steps of scientific inquiry. Students are feeling more confident in their research skills and presentation of findings. CER (Claim, Evidence, Reasoning) has been a major step this year into getting students to explain their data better with solid reasoning. I think that this skill allows them to think more critically and explain answers better. 

-How does this PD promote Digital Learning Competencies?

This PD allows students to have leadership roles during the skills whether it is group work or during presentations. I am able to model proper research skills and promote digital citizenship during the process. I am also able to walk students through the process of sharing their findings and finding the best way to present using digital tools. 

-What has had real meaning?

Even though most of the PD contained information that was already known, I was able to see the way other teachers walk their students through the process of investigation including various digital tools. I think that it showed the fine details and gave scenarios to meet the needs of some of their student challenges. I saw how they reflected and chose different pathways. It was very helpful in getting me to slow down and see different aspects of the process. 

 

 

 

-What has had real meaning?
Nothing yet. I have already stated that my Capella class was a waste of time. Honestly, I'm just trying to complete the Ipad training in time to have my CEUs completed. The Apple training is more meaningful and I plan to go back and look at other ideas I can use next year in my lessons this summer. The PD for the item writing session at NC state also looks like it may be something I will use in the future as it is geared to writing great stimulus test questions.

For my Master’s program I created a unit that was based on Flipping the Classroom. I made video lectures, notes, and playlists that allowed students to move at their own pace. I feel this has been extremely successful during the past month due to the fact that multiple students were out for multiple days. I do not feel they missed all instruction and if they chose, they were able to keep up with the class activities. I also had multiple parents who were appreciative of this model so they could help their student as needed. 

2.  What innovative ideas have you come across that can keep you professionally renewed and inspired?

By using teacherspayteachers.com I have found multiple digital breakouts that students use as either a learning tool or for review. I also use the BreakOUT EDU site for other options of creating breakouts for my students. I feel it is another form of giving a web quest that provides immediate feedback to prevent misunderstandings. 

3.  What has had real meaning?

While completing my Master’s program and National Boards, I have learned more about technology because I have spent time writing papers and maneuvering through different websites and platforms. I feel much more competent with Microsoft Word, PowerPoints, and now rely on these more than just the SmartBoard program. I also found multiple avenues for implementing digital activities and strategies for providing immediate feedback.  

-What's a new way you can be creative in class and enhance your students excitement?

I have found the use of colors for sounds to help enhance students excitement, Instead of telling students to play a passage a certain way, I have started to say "play that with a dark purple sound". They have to be more introspective but almost always end up in the same boat.

-What has had real meaning?
I enjoyed the webinars that I used from NCEES, but what has had real meaning in my PD was when I was able to interact with other instrumental music educators at the annual NC Music Educators Conference. Attending sessions from titans of my field was humbling and inspiring.