MY Professional Learning Network

Effective 21st century education must be about the 4 C's- Connect, Collaborate, Create and the Conversation that follows.

With this in mind, I continue to utilize and be impressed by my professional learning network (PLN). Social media such as blogs, wikis, Google Reader and especially Twitter have become a part of my every day life. These tools enable me to connect with teachers and administrators from all over the world. From them, I learn new techniques for classroom activities(lesson plans), technology(cell phones, Ipads, Ipods and netbooks) and current trends in education(1:1 laptop initiatives, four day school weeks etc.). Simply put I am more knowledgeable and effective because I can connect with others who share similar passions.

I know Twitter from time to time is misunderstood by many as a "why do I need that" type of service, but I find it more beneficial each and every day. I recently discovered back channel hashtags# as a method of answering questions and eliciting feedback from students. I will  also utilize these back channels for my professional learning classes coming up the end of the month and then again in November. I'm looking forward to learning not only from those taking the classes but also from those  who may chime in through Twitter. Once again, 21st century education is about being able start conversations and connect, collaborate and create with people outside our own area we call home.

Another beginning of the school year

As I begin my 33rd consecutive start of a school year, I am in a state of high anticipation of the the coming year. Here is a partial list of what I look forward to. 
Of course the obvious,  another group of students (and parents) to guide in the proximity of the right direction. At times the right direction seems to be a moving target but I hold true to a core belief- what is right is right, it may not be popular but it is still right. I try to base all decisions on this premise. Sometimes this can be difficult but with the experience comes wisdom, so they say.
I am also looking forward to working with a faculty that has been with me for 2 consecutive years. I realize some would say familiarity breeds contempt but I prefer to look at it as the better we know each other the better we work together. This faculty has a chance to be one of the best I've worked with and I look forward to moving ahead with them.
On a personal note, my youngest begins that treacherous journey called high school, wasn't it a few short moments ago my oldest was doing the same? My oldest is now a sophomore in college and has used his God given gift of gab to secure an RA job and to be up for an even more prestigious Teaching Assistant job later in the year. Plus he will co op anywhere from Florida to South Carolina to Atlanta . Both of those will be interesting to watch unfold.
I am also scheduled to chair 2 SAIS visiting teams, 1 in Georgia , the other in North Carolina. I love visiting other schools and bringing back ideas. Collaboration is definitely the key.

It's shaping up to be a great year and and I'll try to keep you posted on the progress on this blog or follow me on Twitter at:  twitter.com/gkosater

Professional Learning Network

Any professional development needs to include the creation of a  professional learning network (PLN). Whether you attend a seminar, take a class or listen to a lecture share what you learn and others will too.

If your current learning network only includes those friends across the hall or in the same building or even in the same city or state, you are missing an abundance of resources. Don't be disconnected with the world, move outside your bubble . Create a one world classroom by collaborating with others through web 2.0 technology.

What is your vision of school for the future?

What is your vision of school for the future? If we didn't have what we have today in education how would we rebuild it to make it even better?