How do U do CPD? January 31, 2010
Posted by ianinsheffield in CPD, TELIC.Tags: case study, CPD, EPICT, ict, professional development, research
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Back to the front line then following some time in the rearguard working on a Master’s module case study. Been looking at ICT CPD in school and in particular a pilot project we’ve been running to introduce EPICT. This is a professional development programme grounded firmly in the pedagogy of using ICT and might therefore begin to address some of the concerns that ICT ‘training’ is often simply skills-based and doesn’t result in noticeable change.
So what did I find out? Well EPICT seems to tick the right boxes – here’s a synthesis of the significant the factors which are found in effective CPD: 
EPICT scores on most of these categories and the feedback from the participants in the pilot largely echoed that. There were a number of people who, for various reasons mostly related to time constraints rather than any deficiency in the programme, weren’t able to complete their studies. Even they however were positively inclined towards the format.
In recently published reports commissioned by Becta, Daly et al (2009) identified several key features common in effective ICT CPD:
- A clear vision for ICT CPD, supported by strong leadership
- Opportunities for informal learning
- A sense of community in which collaboration is accepted practice
- Is set in a classroom context, involving authentic activities.
- Should address individual needs
- Build in opportunities for reflection
With the possible exception of the first point, EPICT encourages all of these elements, which is perhaps why it was positively received. Participants noted the flexibility of study provision, the helpful resources, support and guidance, that it was targetted at their needs and embedded in their practice. It was curious to note however that although communities of practice were encouraged, none of the pilot group who successfully completed the programme chose to work collaboratively, citing additional complexity, lack of freedom to work at their own pace and time needed to arrange meetings as discouraging factors. Wonder whether, given the small sample size, this was simply an anomalous result, or whether this something we need to tackle as the programme moves forward involving more staff?
If you want to check out the full study, then it’s here and do please comment or add observations on the study itself or the outcomes.
Daly, C., Pachler, N. & Pelletier, C., 2009a. Continuing Professional Development in ICT for teachers, WLE, Institute for Education, University of London. Available at: http://partners.becta.org.uk/index.php?section=rh&&catcode=_re_rp_02&rid=17369 [Accessed January 30, 2010].
Daly, C., Pachler, N. & Pelletier, C., 2009b. Continuing Professional Development in ICT for Teachers: A literature review, WLE, Institute for Education, University of London. Available at: http://partners.becta.org.uk/index.php?section=rh&catcode=_re_rp_02&rid=17359 [Accessed January 30, 2010].
#BETT2010 January 19, 2010
Posted by ianinsheffield in CPD, Inspiration, TELIC.Tags: #bett2010, #tmtakeover, BETT, teachmeet
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So another BETT has come and gone and this year’s was a bit different for me. Whereas in the past, I’ve been fortunate enought to get down there for at least a day during the week, this year that wasn’t possible, so it had to be a Saturday. This meant I missed TeachMeetBETT2010, AmplifiED’10 and TEDxOrenda which really was a shame, but at least there were still TeachMeet Takeovers to be enjoyed. And enjoy I did. The first I attended by David Noble (@parslad) was unfortunately kiboshed by no Internet access on the stand, which for session on blogging was a little awkward. But nevertheless, having been listening to some of the EDUTalk365 posts on the journey down, it was great to have a chat with one of the originators . . . and also to meet Joe Dale (@joedale).
Also great to meet Drew Buddie (@digitalmaverick) and enjoy his session introducing world clouds and safe virtual worlds . . . though the background noise from the Hall was a little distracting at times (why can’t people show alittle respect whena virtuoso takes to the stage 
). Ian Usher’s Takeover on embedding interactive content into Moodle crammed an amazing amount into such a brief session. But the whole point was that I came away learning something . . . and I did.
In between the Takeover sessions, also squeezed in two seminars: the first was by Norbert Pachler, outlining his findings on ICT CPD in schools (really useful for the case study I’m currently engaged in) and the second was a seminar on systemic barriers to tech-based learning by Jen Groff (currently working with FutureLab) (apologies for no name check from the other two presenters who didn’t post links).
Also managed a brief visit to the VeryPC stand – these folks are producing ‘green’ PCs with low carbon footprints and from sustainable and ecologically safe materials wherever possible . . . and they’re a Sheffield company . . . and I work with their mum!
And that was pretty much it. I didn’t get the chance to have a mooch around the stands which often throws up something unexpected, but other than a couple of products I might have liked to have had a look at, but which I can doubtless check out on the web, I didn’t really miss that part. This BETT was more about saying ‘Hi and thanks’ to some of the wonderful people on Twitter from who’s advice I’ve been able to benefit during the past year. I’m writing this here and now largely due to their inspiration, so thanks again folks . . . and see you next year maybe?
CPD – thinking out of the box . . . and onto the bus January 11, 2010
Posted by ianinsheffield in CPD, Inspiration.Tags: CPD, EDUTalk365, iPod Touch, K12 Online Conference, learning, podcast, vodcast
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Running home from work has been a whole lot easier since I got the iPod Touch. How so you ask? Well I’ll tell you.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/harry_nl/
On days when I want to run home, I go to work on the bus, catch it part way home and run the last stretch. The journey in is about an hour; on the way home a bit less. To pass the time, I used to carry a book . . . until I got the Touch. Now I carry that and save a few hundred grams in my backpack. But actually I get a lot more because I can choose my reading matter from a variety of ebooks. Or I can pick from a selection of research articles. Alternately I can read up on some of the blog posts I synched onto the Touch from ‘Read IT Later.’ Then again I can choose to listen to a podcast or two – the EDUTalk 365 project from David Noble and John Johnston is providing some really informative podcasts at the moment. There’s more though – I can watch vodcasts . . . which is what I chose to do this morning. So on a bus travelling towards Sheffield, I was watching and listening to Drew Buddie’s excellent presentation ‘Whither eportfolios‘ which he presented to the K12 Online conference, convened in the United States, back in December, from his home north of London.
Now I think that’s impressive. That from a device that’s 10×6x0.5cm weighing a few grams, and whilst travelling on a bus in South Yorkshire, I can watch a half hour presentation created a month ago in Hertfordshire and delivered at an online conference in the US. WOW! iPod Touch = CPD Nexus?
Yet I still hear colleagues saying that there just aren’t the opportunities for professional development. That they can’t get out of school to attend them and that they don’t have the time anyway. I’d contend that there’s plenty out there . . . what’s more you don’t have to go to it, you can bring it to you, at a time and place that suits. What more could you ask?
(And with the DigitalMaverick’s help, I learned heaps about eportfolios – thanks Drew)
Suivre, folgen, seguire . . . or just plain follow? January 5, 2010
Posted by ianinsheffield in CPD, Inspiration.Tags: follow, pln, social networking, twitter
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'Walk this way' by Mel B. (via Flickr). CC BY licence.
A colleague new to Twitter asked me earlier who would be good to follow. I was about to fire off a few suggestions when it suddenly struck me that what appeared on the face of it to be a simple question, actually merited a more considered answer. The quick and easy reply would be to say just follow anyone I follow . . . but how arrogant would that make me? It presupposes that those people of interest to me would interest someone else . . . though to be fair, I’m constantly grateful for the stimulation and inspiration my PLN provides and I think they’re pretty damned hot! But someone else might have different imperatives or want to pursue different interests, so how should I advise?
Well how about starting with Mashable’s Twitter Guide Book which includes an explanation of how to build a Twitter community? Or a visit to the Twitter4Teachers page which lists hundreds of educators on Twitter arranged into areas by subject and/or interest? But perhaps these are better explored when someone is a little more comfortable with the way Twitter works and can begin to make more informed judgements.
To return to the original question for a moment, essentially I was being asked for my recommendations . . . if someone asked me what music I might recommend, I suppose my first question would be ‘what do you like?’ (already covered that), but I wouldn’t then say ‘go and have a look at what’s on iTunes.’ No, I’d offer a few alternatives that I liked, trying to be as eclectic as possible. So the criteria I’m going to use are as follows:
- People from different phases of education – primary, secondary, tertiary and beyond
- People who are prolific Tweeters and some who Tweet less often
- People from different countries – it’s good to get a different perspective
And here’s my list, in no particular order and sticking to a hopefully manageable dozen:
@simonhaughton, @dajbelshaw, @josepicardo, @timbuckteeth, @maggiev, @zaidlearn, @c4lpt, @lasic, @mwclarkson, @grumbledook, @digitalmaverick, @lisibo, @courosa.
(And the only reason @tombarrett is not on the list is because I know he’s already being followed) . . . but I could just as easily produce another dozen or another. It’s just like recommending music – once you start, you could go on and on and on.
How would you have answered the same question? What would your criteria have been?
2009 – That was the year, that was. December 27, 2009
Posted by ianinsheffield in Inspiration, TELIC.Tags: 2009, CPD, learning, learning network, ple, pln
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Twitter friends
It’s been quite a year, one way or another. Like many schools, we’re currently engaged in a number of quite significant ICT developments, not least of which is wide-reaching review to take stock of where we are. It’s been a big year at work for me too – my role having expanded rather. But that’s all good. It doesn’t worry me at all in the way it once might and I feel better placed than I’ve ever been to look forward to the challenges that 2010 might bring. I feel that way, more so than ever before, because of a couple of things which happened during 2009:
- I was introduced to Twitter, thanks to @geoffowen. Other than using Delicious, I hadn’t really ‘got’ the social networking thing; I simply wasn’t aware that the tools that mediate social networks could be levered for personal and professional learning. Twitter changed all that . . . or rather the people who have begun to form my learning ecosystem changed all that. My views on professional development have changed . . . in fact my views on many things have changed as a result of being able to benefit from the wisdom of others. As someone for whom the formal learning experience was always predominantly a solitary activity, I’ve begun to appreciate just how much more powerful social learning actually can be.
- I attended my first TeachMeet. I was amazed at the concept, at the enthusiasm and ingenuity of the presenters and was delighted to be surrounded by nothing but positivity towards ICT . . . on a Friday evening, after a week’s work! I met some of the marvellous people I had begun to follow on Twitter and found a whole load more I followed soon after.
- I found blogging. Sure I’d read plenty of blogs, subscribed to a number and even stirred up the courage to comment on a few. But as is evidenced here, I finally took the plunge and began my own. Why? Well for me, it’s a way of getting thoughts out of my head – in giving them physical form they have to be refined, distilled and made coherent (yes I know that doesn’t always come through thanks very much!). Even better are those occasions when someone comments on a post, which stimulates you to clarify or expand those ideas yet further.
- Got me an iPod Touch. The two colleagues with whom I work have iPhones and I began to see that there was a whole lot more to them than just being a ‘cool’ phone . . . but I didn’t and don’t need a phone like that. And then I found out that the Touch does a lot of what the iPhone does. Boy has it opened my eyes to what mobile learning could be! It’s simply the smallest workstation you could have. (I think!)
There’s been a whole load of other stuff that’s gone on too, but I think these four things have had and will continue to have the biggest effect on the way I learn and the way I’ll approach my job.
Thanks, 2009.
