A Sunday Event

This year, we started off the year jump-starting new teachers with two-half days of tech training with new MacBooks as we enter our fifth year of Teacher Laptop Initiative. Our yearlong p.d. initiative is always a learning adventure and a cause worthy of change.

I'm never sure how much this district initiative is talked about during the interview process, and I always wonder if communicating the vision is not always talked about. I think in that case its a communication breakdown.

I seem to have felt a little resistance in the reactions of some of our new teachers when we explained our programs guidelines during the training. A training program which in my mind has lead the charge for teachers in our district to use technology in their classroom in ways that connect with kids' learning. I've been thinking about the resistance, and finally today can explain why we meet once a month on a Sunday afternoon's and why it's worth all the sacrifice.

I think we looked at the time we gave up as three hours for ourselves. It was our personal learning time. It became an issue of when could I learn at higher levels, participate in conversations about education and change using technology, creating professional learning communities, and now reaping the benefits of professional social networks. It wasn't about being a bad Christian on one Sunday a month.

I won't lie, yes it was a sacrifice of our time but I think everyone will say they sacrificed the time for themselves and for the opportunity to participate and find growth and support in a professional learning community during the year.

I certainly hope my story is a true picture of what we try to accomplish out of the tech department with teaching and learning with technology.

2008 Teacher Laptop Initiative

We are excited to be welcoming 11 new teachers joining our professional learning community across our district! I know my lead tech team joins me in wanting to share with you, our passion for learning, studying, and questioning how we build sustainable community. Welcome!

Teachers have to answer the question, "What will I do to establish and communicate learning goals, track students progress, and celebrate success?" This is the path you walk on a daily basis.

Our hope is to give you the inspiration and tools to help you hook kids into learning.

Welcome to one of USD 352's professional learning communities! This list of resources I share here is the short list. Bookmarking and organization might come in handy this year.

• USD 352 Technology Vision Statement
• NETS for Teachers 2008
• Partnership for 21st Century Learning
• NETS for Students