Hello,
I must admit that prior to engaging in PD activities I find them to be more of a burden. However, if I were to be honest I would say that I do generally pull some good information from them that does ultimately help me perform which directly impacts workload management strategy. Whether it is a little or a lot depends on the course but in all instances there is a benefit.
Erin ,
Sounds like you are learning on your own and learning from others as well. Keep up the good work and keep up the professional development. Thanks!
So many professional development trainings have turned me on to new technologies that can make the instruction grading process quicker/easier/more effective for my students. I have learned a lot by listening to my colleagues and noting their best practices.
I also find that taking a college course myself (as I am currently doing) reminds me what it feels like to be a student and gives me a new perspective (as an instructor) on how best to motivate, inspire and challenge students.
--Erin
Sueanne,
We should all continue to learn more and work toward becoming a better teacher. I've been teaching since 1983 and learn new things each time I teach. Thanks for your input.
I've identified areas that I need to learn and understand so that I can be a better Instructor which means I will be better prepared to support the students. I have joined several webinars over the last year that were focused to teaching skills and methods. I plan to continue with these as they come available. With these particular CEE programs I found that there is information I know, some new information I can understand but there is a lot that I don't know. But most important, I need to re-think what I currently do and try using this new information to make some changes in how I manage my workload and communicate with the students.
maryln,
I always tell my students, "When you stop learning, you're dead." Professional development is key in "keeping us alive" in the classroom. Thanks for your input.
Professional Development helps me stay current in my field which in turn I can pass the new information along to my students. Also professional development courses helps me to manage my time which helps me to better engaged with my students.
Traci,
We do learn a lot from each others. Asking peers for input, feedback, or advice is a great way to learn from others. We also learn from students and formative feedback from them during the course can also help. Thanks for sharing.
I believe the informal professional development helps with my workload management as compared to my formal professional development. This is achieved by emailing or speaking to other instructors and learning from them what works and does not work in their classrooms.
Chrissy,
Right on. We have to continually assess how we can teach better to address the students' needs. Keep up the good work.
Thanks.
By assessing areas for growth, the instructor can participate in courses that target these areas. This, in turn, can make the instructor more effective. The more effective we are in the classroom (with delivery, assessment, communication, etc.) the easier it is to manage the various tasks required of us.
megan,
Right on. I learn something new every day and I tell my students that they should too. Learning from each other is essential.
Thanks.
Yes, it IS so true that learning is lifelong. I would also add that as instructors, we have the knowledge base, but we don't always have the skills for effectively managing the online classroom and all the unique challenges it presents. There's nothing more valuable than learning from others' successes (and failures) from the various postings and information shared casually among peers.
George,
Time management, priority management and life management. They are all essential for us to take care of. Thanks.
I saw a post by another that mentioned that learning is a lifelong process and I fully agree. It is important to “stay on your game†by staying current in the profession. This is markedly true for any professional – doctor, lawyer, IT and teaching. I cannot think of any subject area that never changes or where new discoveries are not made. Fortunately there are many opportunities in my career path that support professional development. These include quarterly opportunities as well as those such as CEE courses and online courses that can be taken “at will.†I have found particularly useful annual state and national conferences hosted by professional organizations.
The onus is also on the individual professional to seek opportunities that help them. I read a book that actually had to do with being successful in marketing that recommended 10-20 pages of reading in personal development each day. There are numerous sites that recommend “best sellers†and classics that pertain to various aspects of personal development.
Staying in tune with the field helps the online instructor realize that there are other pursuits that are important in a student’s well-rounded program as that instructor adds professional and personal development to their resume. Much of the training that is available includes best practices in teaching as well as time and “life management.â€
Lindsay,
Right on. We do learn so much from each other and trying new things. Thanks for being involved in professional development.
Many times we get stuck in the ideas that we have always implemented. Transitioning from a face to face teacher to an online instructor can be challenging, so learning from others is a great way to improve and adapt your skills as an instructor.
I love that I have learned ideas that I had never thought of and realized what I should bring back into my course.
Francis
Yes, staying up to date is key. I think it's great you connect this to time management as you save time when preparing a course. Thanks!
Earl,
Glad you are enjoying the course and you feel that it's a plus in your professional development. Thanks for your input.
Janis,
Right on! We have to continue to grow and learn new things to stay current and to continue to be great educators. Thanaks!
