My distinguished wall by https://padlet.com/bngeohagan/bgeohagan Made with fortitude en-us 2017-07-22 02:36:15 UTC 2025-11-03 06:26:54 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Diskette.png #1 Digital Learning Networks bngeohagan https://padlet.com/bngeohagan/bgeohagan/wish/179212587 "Active participation in a well-functioning professional learning community (PLC) has proven to help improve student learning" (DuFour, 2005).  What are PLC'S?  "Professional learning community (PLC)  is an ongoing process in which educators work collaboratively in recurring cycles of collective inquiry and action research to achieve better results for the students they serve. Professional learning communities operate under the assumption that the key to improved learning for students is continuous job-embedded learning for educators" (DeFour, 2006, pp.2-4).


By having digital learning networks or a professional learning community, everyone seems to benefit.  Students and teachers alike can benefit from PLC'S by:
*everyone on the same page
*working together
*brainstorming ideas
Types of PLC'S:
*Twitter
*Instagram
*Facebook
*Pinterest
*Blogs
*Message 101

As teachers we do not always communicate as well as we should.  We may communicate with ones in our grade level or even people we are friends with, but as a whole the communication lacks.  I hope I can always remember these strategies and build upon them. Start some type of group within my school, to further our communication.  
]]> 2017-07-22 02:39:55 UTC https://padlet.com/bngeohagan/bgeohagan/wish/179212587 #2 Teacher Roles: Architect and Contractor bngeohagan https://padlet.com/bngeohagan/bgeohagan/wish/179212972 "To me, eyewear goes way beyond being a prescription....The shape of a frame or the color of lenses can change your whole appearance." -Vera Wang

Vera Wang was talking about glasses in that above quote yet we can apply the same information towards each of our students. "Just as changing your eye glasses can change your whole appearance, upgrading certain aspects of a unit of studey can change the unit's appearance (Hale, 2013, p.15). Teachers play many roles within a child's life during a short amount of time. Just as an architech designs blueprints, and contractors use those blueprints to build things, teachers become both. Teachers deisgn the curriculum then instruct according to the curriculum that was built. Teachers have to switch roles many times during the school year, always keeping their "future residents" (the students) best interest in mind (Hale, 2013, p.16). 

This makes me stop and think about the way I teach lessons sometimes.  We have to not only use higher order thinking, but also differentiate with each of our students.  They do not all learn the same, therefore we have to be able to change our teaching to make it most vaulable for them. They each deserve the same chance in learning.]]> 2017-07-22 02:57:06 UTC https://padlet.com/bngeohagan/bgeohagan/wish/179212972 #3 The Task, Not the Tools bngeohagan https://padlet.com/bngeohagan/bgeohagan/wish/179213335 "Teachers should focus on integrating technology and web-based tools in a way that creates transform upgrades that informate or amplify students' learning "(Hale, 2013, p.38).   Just because technology is being used does not always mean it is resouceful.  When using technology teachers should keep in mind that just because it is incoorporating a computer or smart board does not always mean the lesson is effective.  Teachers should strive to to make sure all use of technology is fitting to the task being asked to complete.  

This is something I need to continue to work towards.  I am guilty of putting students on the computer each day playing games or different activities.  Although they are educational such as abcya.com, starfall, etc, they are usually not even close to my learning targets.  By alining my learning targets each week with some type of technology the students will benefit more.  The more they benefit, the better they will become!  ]]> 2017-07-22 03:06:50 UTC https://padlet.com/bngeohagan/bgeohagan/wish/179213335 References bngeohagan https://padlet.com/bngeohagan/bgeohagan/wish/179213619 Hale, J. A. (2015). Upgrade your curriculum: practical ways to transform units and engage students. Place of publication not identified: Hawker Brownlow Education.

DuFour, R., DuFour, R., Eaker, R., & Many, T. (2006). Learning by Doing: A Handbook for Professional Learning Communities at Work™, pp. 2–4
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