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VITTA Professional Learning Networks /3 & MacSchoolsNet 2009

I'm very pleased with how teachers have responded to the establishment of VITTA Professional Learning Networks [PLNs]. Considering teachers are on their summer break in Australia, the response has been great. For a list of their locations click here. For PLN background click here. Most information for leaders and members will now be by podcast.

 

Podcast #2 Download PLN Podcast # 2 - Beyond Chalk outlines a series of PD events that VITTA and Beyond Chalk has arranged to kick off the PLNs in Term 1, 2009. The sessions will be in two metropolitan & 10 regional/rural locations in Victoria. To subscribe to these ICT PD sessions go to the VITTA website to register [they are very cheap PD's!!].

Also had a coffee based planning session with Deb, planning MacSchoolsNet activities for 2009.

As usual the network will run seven network meetings in 2009, plus our Saturday Conference, MacIThappen '09, plus a possible 'unconference". We're keeping our "powder dry" for a week or two. Members will find out about our exciting program first. Not a member? Join...

More news about MacSchoolsNet in a later blogpost

Professional Learning Networks: Podcast #1

My work in assisting the Victorian Information Technology Teachers Association, [VITTA] setting up its Professional Learning Networks is going well. The primary purpose of the PLNs is to provide, networking, sharing and resources to ICT educators in rural and regional areas of Australia. Read more about these on the VITTA website. Web 2.0 tools, such as podcasts, wikis, blogs, etc. will be used in their establishment and operations. As part of this I have recorded by first podcast for those interested in joining a PLN.

Download Podcast#1

Professional Development Resources for 2009

I've now got to move into some serious planning for the ICT professional development sessions I deliver, host or organise in 2009. So here the list! It could be bigger than my NY resolutions and not in any particular order.

01. Write a "history" of MacSchoolsNet 2003-2009 as a organisational learning example for the Professional Learning Networks I'm organising for VITTA. Maybe I'll do it in Keynote > export to Powerpoint > then post on Slideshare

02. Plan out fortnightly podcasts [for term 1/2009] for PLN leaders to assist with setting up these networks. Need to revise some skills here on podcast publishing.

03. Set up a PLN Wiki [Global Teacher? Wikispaces?].

04. Finish my Gliffy planner of ICT PL for VITTA.

05. Begin my ICT PD Links page and ICT PL models page [for 2009 projects on my website].

06. Get all my contacts in my Address Book Cloud.

07. Continue discussions with the Victorian Institute of Teaching re PD requirements

08. Make an online resource pack for PLN leaders

09. Presentation for VITTA CoM planning weekend

10. Get the first 10 weeks of VITTA PL activites planned

11. Organise MacSchoolNet dates and meeting content

VITTA Professional Learning Networks /2

Publicity about the VITTA Professional Learning Networks are now getting out via email invites, word of mouth, Edulists, Maced lists, Twitter and an earlier blogpost of mine [see this post for initial background]. Great to see this level on interest in the school holidays. Other good news is that setting a third PLN in Tasmania now looks a distinct possibility, as does the establishment most of the 11 PLNs planned for Victoria. If you are interested in this exciting concept of professional learning using ICT or are one of those who have registered interest earlier, more information is now available. Just download the VITTA PLN FAQ Download VITTA PLNs FAQs . Need any further information contact me mark@vitta.org.au.

My ICT New Year Resolutions for 2009

So here they are, if they are on my blog, then I'll have to be held to them!

1. Store stuff in "the clouds" all the time. [using 2 notebooks and 3 workstations for 2 jobs in 3 locations won't work effectively any other way]. This means using my Mobile me account and my Basecamp access much more effectively. Also have all my email addresses & phone numbers in one online address book and sync to everything.

2. Begin some serious podcasting skills with my new Blue Snowball.

3. Improve my keyboard skills!

4. Make my home office actually work [de-clutter mainly].

5. Clean up my de.licio.us tags and organise my Diigo account better.

6. Read 25% of those books in my bedside table that I bought in 2008, but didn't read [this photo is not a set up].

7. Allow more time to reflect on my education projects during the year.

8. Increasing my online networks through Diigo, Twitter, Facebook and mailing lists.

9. Each month, explore at least two Web 2.0 apps that I haven't used before.

10. Write at least 100 blogposts for 2009.