(This will be my last blog post for the summer. It is time to hang out with my family and attend to my non-digital network. I’ll be back in September)
I was indirectly tagged with this meme because I read Claire Thompson’s blog post on this subject and thought that putting my summertime pro-d aspirations down in a blog post was probably a good idea considering my inclination towards taking on too much.
My normal approach to summer pro-d is to randomly plug away at anywhere from 5 to 10 projects that usually get left to the last minute as a result of summertime distractions. My hope for this summer is to focus on a few projects and actually accomplish them (along with moving house). So here are the projects I will prioritize:
- Help plan and organize for the ISABC summer institute with Alan November. In particular my goals are to: 1)set up a diigo group for the institute with a tag list and then embed diigo links in the institue wiki by subject and age level; 2)use the institute wiki to collaboratively plan the events for each day of the institute; 3) populate the institute ning with relevant and provocative (?) discussion topics.
- Move all of my gr6 to 9 technology lessons to a central wiki location so that they are easier to share. As part if this process I plan to write up each lesson properly using the Understanding By Design process.
- Submit conference proposals to CUEBC and k12online. I have in mind a presentation that starts by looking at how the nature of information has changed and how Diigo can be used as a powerful resource for finding, annotating and sharing resources.
Other projects I would like to undertake (but won’t commit to in this blog post) include:
- Planning my math 7 lessons. My goal for this year is to use the Mathletics learning platform and a class blog to differentiate instruction and give my students as much ownership of their own learning as possible. On the blog I plan on supporting classroom instruction with instructional powerpoints and links to online activities and tutorials. I’m hoping to find a lot of these over the summer.
- Reading Clay Shirky’s “Here comes everybody”
- Learn more about managing WordPress and WordPress MU so that I can do more with our school blogs.
OK, I know this is too much. My next plan is to map out a possible schedule for completion and see what is really possible. Maybe I’ll link it to this post as a way to keep myself honest.
Like Claire I can’t bring myself to point the finger at anyone else, so I will finish by borrowing her words:
If you are reading this, first off thanks! Secondly, if you haven’t been tagged already and think you’d like to participate, then consider yourself tagged
(note: this post was written in Evernote on my iTouch while hanging out with my daughter. I am constantly amazed at what this little computer can accomplish.)
You are ambitious! That’s a very commendable list, Phil. I like how you managed to sneak more than 3 goals in – I’m having trouble narrowing it down myself! Have a good summer!
Professional Development Meme 2009 | Just a Thought...
[…] you read this post I hope you decide to join in and complete the meme in your own blog! Also like Phil, I’m going to add some extras. These are not necessarily goals, they’re more like […]
Phil, first off, I’m glad that you took on this meme; shows that the “tag yourself” approach can work 😉 Secondly, I have to agree with Errin; what an ambitious list! Good luck with your CUEBC and k12online proposals; I’ve never attended the CUEBC conference, but am thinking that this might be the year… Here’s hoping you have a great summer!
I’m glad you are participating in the 2009 PDmeme. I look forward to reading about your successes in September.