professional development Archives | Shake Up Learning

FREE Summer Learning Series (Save Your Seat!)

Kasey Bell — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 02:33:14 +0000

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Join us at Shake Up Learning for an unprecedented online professional development event this summer. Our Summer Learning Series is a unique, free online learning experience designed specifically for K-12 teachers, coaches, and leaders.

Think of this as a slow-burn mini-conference with new presentations dropped every week all summer long! This series consists of 15 expert-led presentations designed to equip K-12 teachers with a treasure trove of practical ideas, innovative teaching tools, and actionable lesson plans.

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How Busy Teachers Can Find Time for Meaningful Professional Development

Kasey Bell — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 18:40:24 +0000

The post How Busy Teachers Can Find Time for Meaningful Professional Development appeared first on Shake Up Learning.

In the fast-paced world of education, teachers are often caught in a balancing act between imparting knowledge and updating their own skills.

With Shake Up Learning’s All Access PD Pass, this balancing act becomes a harmonious blend of teaching and continuous learning, all within your busy schedule.

How Busy Teachers Can Find Time for Meaningful Professional Development

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How Busy Teachers Can Find Time for Meaningful Professional Development

Embrace Asynchronous Learning

One of the most significant advantages of the All Access PD Pass is its asynchronous nature. Courses like the Google Classroom Master Class or the Blended Learning with Google Workshop can be accessed anytime, anywhere. This flexibility means you can learn at your own pace, fitting professional development into small windows of availability, be it during a lunch break, after school hours, or over the weekend.

Podcast PD = Learning on the Go

The Shake Up Learning Show podcast transforms your commute or workout time into an opportunity for professional development. Each episode, ranging from 35 to 60 minutes, is packed with innovative ideas and practical tips, making it easy to stay informed and inspired even when you’re on the move. Plus, you can get a credit certificate for listening! How awesome is that?

Integrating PD into Your Teaching

The All Access PD Pass resources can directly inform and enhance your teaching. Implementing a new tool or strategy in your classroom straight from a master class not only benefits your students but also gives you real-time feedback on your learning. This practical application solidifies your understanding and showcases the immediate impact of your professional growth.

Staying Current with Ease

The ever-evolving content in the All Access PD Pass ensures that you’re always at the forefront of educational innovation. With new courses and workshops continually added, the latest educational trends and technologies are just a click away. This ongoing access means you’re not just keeping up with professional development; you’re staying ahead.

Members-Only Library: A Treasure Trove of Resources

The Members-Only Library, a key feature of Shake Up Learning’s All Access PD Pass, is a haven for time-strapped educators. It offers a curated collection of ebooks and cheat sheets, each designed for quick and effective learning. This library is perfect for busy teachers seeking instant access to a range of educational resources. Whether you need a new teaching strategy, a tech tip, or a classroom management idea, you’ll find it here, packaged in an easy-to-use format. This accessible library ensures that even the busiest educators can enhance their skills and enrich their classrooms without sacrificing valuable time.

Your Path to Balanced Professional Growth

The Shake Up Learning All Access PD Pass is more than just a collection of resources; it’s a pathway to balanced, continuous professional development. With the flexibility to learn at your pace and the convenience of integrating new skills directly into your teaching, the All Access PD Pass is the ideal solution for busy educators seeking growth.

100+ Hours of Credit

An added advantage of Shake Up Learning’s All Access PD Pass is the valuable recognition you receive upon completing each course. Every module you finish is not just a step forward in your professional development, but also earns you a certificate for credit hours. This tangible acknowledgment of your efforts and learning can be a significant addition to your professional portfolio, showcasing your commitment to continuous growth and mastery of educational technology and innovative teaching strategies. Whether you’re enhancing your resume or meeting professional development requirements, these credit hour certificates serve as a testament to your dedication and hard work.

Get Your Whole Team, Campus, or District On Board!

We offer group discounts for 10 or more, and special pricing for campus and district licensing.

Many schools have become REPEAT customers because their teachers love the flexibility of the ALL ACCESS PD Pass!

Get a quote and start the PO process here.

Join the Learning Revolution

Ready to take control of your professional development without overwhelming your schedule?

Join Shake Up Learning’s All Access PD Pass today.

What’s Included?

The Google Classroom Master Class
The Google Slides Master Class
The Google Meet Master Class
The Zoom Master Class
The Dynamic Learning Workshop
The Blended Learning with Google Workshop
Includes access to ALL future master classes and workshops!
Members-Only Library of ebooks and cheat sheets!
Podcast PD (with credit certificates and new content each week!)
ALL courses are asynchronous – move at your own pace!
Get credit for every course! (unlimited professional learning credit)
More than 100 hours of PD credit (with more added all the time)!

For just $57 every three months, embark on a journey of continuous learning, tailored to fit your busy life.

Say goodbye to the struggle of balancing teaching and learning.

Say hello to a world of flexible, impactful, and continuous professional growth.

Enroll Now and Transform Your Teaching Journey with Shake Up Learning

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Elevating Innovation – SULS0205

Kasey Bell — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 08:00:08 +0000

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In this episode, join Kasey in a captivating conversation with David L. Jackson, a seasoned education professional with a rich and diverse background spanning from classroom teaching to curriculum design and professional development leadership.

Discover the wealth of free online learning courses for educators offered through Verizon Innovative Learning HQ.

Also, gain insights into the upcoming Elevating Innovation Virtual Conference taking place next month, promising exciting opportunities for professional development.

Don’t let these outstanding PD prospects pass you by!

Don’t let these outstanding FREE PD prospects pass you by!

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This episode is sponsored by Verizon.

To inspire tomorrow’s brightest minds, educators need today’s best tools. Introducing Verizon Innovative Learning HQ, an easy-to-use, free, online portal that empowers K-12 educators to bring new ways of learning into the classroom. The site offers hundreds of free standards-based ready to teach lesson plans, immersive educational experiences, and professional development courses to help educators learn new skills, feel more confident with technology integration, and have the opportunity to earn research-backed micro-credentials. FREE. New curricula is available from partners including Discovery Education, McGraw Hill, and NYU Also, don’t miss their professional development virtual conference with Digital Promise, Elevating Innovation, on November 7th, helping educators explore ways to integrate tech in the classroom. It’s all part of Verizon’s commitment to help close the digital divide. Start your journey at Verizon.com/shakeup. Visit the webinar page for more info and to register for Elevating Innovation.

Elevating Innovation in Education

In a world where education is constantly evolving, it’s crucial for educators to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and innovations. One way to do this is by attending conferences and professional development opportunities, and one such event that’s making waves in the education community is the “Elevating Innovation Virtual Conference.” I had the privilege of speaking with David L. Jackson, the Associate Director of Learning Delivery at Digital Promise, about this exciting event and his unique journey in education.

David’s Journey

David’s journey in education is nothing short of remarkable. Raised by Jamaican immigrant parents, he was instilled with a deep appreciation for the value of education from a young age. His parents believed that education was the key to a better future, and they ensured that David prioritized reading, writing, and math. However, as he grew older, he began to question his place in the education system.

His perspective changed when he received a scholarship to attend Syracuse University, a transformative experience that broadened his horizons and ignited his passion for education. During his time studying abroad in Paris, he delved into the study of African-American literature and observed the differences in the education system between Paris and his hometown Miami, Florida. This experience reinforced his desire to make a difference in the lives of students who shared his background.

David eventually returned to his alma mater to teach, offering students a positive role model deeply committed to their education. Over the years, he taught various grade levels, including time in alternative education. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic compelled him to reflect on his impact on education. He sought to merge his passions and make a meaningful change in the ever-evolving digital education landscape.

Through a serendipitous discovery, he came across Digital Promise and felt an immediate connection. The organization’s mission resonated with him, prompting him to transition from the classroom to a role where he could be an agent of change in education.

Verizon Innovative Learning HQ: Micro-Credentials for Educators

David’s current role at Digital Promise involves managing the delivery of products at the Verizon Innovative Learning HQ. This platform offers educators a unique opportunity to earn micro-credentials and enhance their teaching and learning skills. Micro-credentials are a means to demonstrate competency in a specific skill or skill set. They are a testament to an educator’s expertise and dedication to professional development.

The Verizon Innovative Learning HQ provides a wide range of professional development opportunities that focus on leveraging technology while ensuring equitable and engaging learning experiences for students. Educators can select micro-credentials that align with their interests, needs, and career goals, allowing them to further their professional development at their own pace.

One of the most significant benefits of these micro-credentials is that they often qualify for continuing education units (CEUs) in various school districts. They provide an avenue for educators to enhance their teaching skills, improve student outcomes, and explore new teaching methodologies—all for free.

Get your FREE Verizon Innovative Learning HQ Account here.

Elevating Innovation Virtual Conference

The Elevating Innovation Virtual Conference is a unique event that brings together educators, school leaders, district officials, and experts in the field to explore the latest educational trends, share best practices, and connect with peers. The event serves as a collaborative space for individuals committed to enhancing the educational experience for students.

The conference aims to inspire and invigorate educators by providing them with the tools and knowledge they need to innovate in their classrooms. The free virtual conference takes place on November 7th, 2023, from 11 AM to 4 PM. However, if you’re unable to attend the live event, don’t worry! All sessions will be recorded and made available on the Verizon Innovative Learning HQ for free.

Register for the Elevating Innovation Conference here.

Conference Highlights

The Elevating Innovation Virtual Conference features a diverse lineup of speakers and partners, offering a wide array of topics and insights. Attendees can expect to gain fresh perspectives on a variety of educational areas, from AI in education to leadership and coaching. Here are some highlights:

AI in Education: Dive into the world of artificial intelligence and its role in enhancing education. Monica Burns, an expert in the field, will shed light on how AI can transform learning.
Leadership and Coaching: Explore the principles of effective leadership and coaching in education. Learn from experienced educators and leaders about strategies to foster growth and success.
Student Engagement: Discover innovative methods to engage and motivate students. Discover how technology can be leveraged to create dynamic and interactive learning experiences.
Collaborative Learning: Connect with fellow educators and professionals to share ideas, resources, and best practices. Collaborative learning is a key focus of the conference, and attendees will have the opportunity to interact with their peers.
Transformation and Innovation: Embrace innovation and learn about the latest trends and tools that can transform your teaching and impact students positively.

If you’re passionate about education and eager to take your teaching to the next level, these resources are a great place to start. Don’t miss the chance to join the Elevating Innovation Virtual Conference and explore the ever-evolving world of education.

About David L. Jackson

“When faced with learning something new, I approach with a ‘can’t lose’ mentality. Learning new things can be very rewarding yet stressful in the same breath. It’s essential that before tackling a new endeavor, you prepare as best you can. Prepare for the journey and get ready to embrace the outcome.”

David L. Jackson exists in the margin, intending to make education a more equitable space for students and teachers who will shape the future. David comes to Digital Promise with a plethora of diverse experience in the education sector, both conventional and non-conventional (juvenile services). He started his journey in the classroom teaching reading, world history, and speech and debate, and later moved into redesigning and writing curriculum for several secondary school programs, including law and African-American literature. In the classroom, David has worked with every grade on the secondary spectrum from grades 6-12. Outside of school, he specializes in leadership, emotional, and professional development, working with students across the United States in hands-on workshops and seminars. Jackson has an interminable passion for knowledge and ensuring everyone has an opportunity to learn and better their community.

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A Framework for Blended PD (Part 3) – SULS073

Kasey Bell — Tue, 28 Jul 2020 08:03:17 +0000

The post A Framework for Blended PD (Part 3) – SULS073 appeared first on Shake Up Learning.

Delivering virtual or blended professional learning can be challenging.

Today, I’m sharing Part 3 of my series on Blended PD.

In Part 3 of this series on Blended Professional Development (PD), I’m sharing PD activity ideas, facilitation tips, and sample schedules.

As we prepare for the new normal of remote and hybrid learning, let’s work together to deliver the best PD for our teachers and schools.

Did you miss Part 1 and 2? Be sure to listen to Part 1 (e71) and Part 2 (e72). The entire series is accessible on this page.

Shoutout

I want to give a shoutout to @teaching.library.tech (Kayla McNaughton) on Instagram for sharing her love of the Google Slides Master Course.

The Google Slides Master Class is currently 50% off. ENROLL HERE!

Shake Up your #BlendedPD activities with these ideas!

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Quick Tip – Interactive Google Slides

The key to making Google Slides interactive and more than a presentation tool is internal linking–linking objects and words to different slides, not just outside links. This one little tip can change how you view the tool and use Slides with students.

Here’s a short video learn how!

Want an in-depth lesson? Enroll in the Google Slides Master Class (50% off).

You can access all the quick tips on this page.

A Framework for Blended PD

In this podcast series, I will share ideas for planning, scheduling, strategies, modeling, facilitating, and everything else that I can think of to help schools make the most of the situation. This is our chance to revolutionize professional development, which needs a shakeup!

Did you miss Part 1 and 2? Be sure to listen to Part 1 (e71) and Part 2 (e72). The entire series is accessible on this page.

We’ve covered a lot of ground in Part 1 and Part 2–needs assessment, planning, creative scheduling, and adult learning strategies.

In part 3, I share activities for engaging adult learners in blended PD, facilitation tips, and some sample schedules to pull it all together.

Designing Meaningful PD Activities for Teachers

Evidence of Learning

Don’t forget your goals! Begin with the end in mind and create an assessment that aligns with your learning goals first.

This assessment can be informal, formal, or even observational. How will you know when they get it? Decide how you will collect evidence of learning. Participants should be required to create or develop something as evidence of learning, no more seat time certificates.

This doesn’t have to be complicated. The evidence may be observed through online discussions, submitting a reflection in Google Classroom, or creating an activity for students.

In this guest blog post, Pam Hubler shared a great idea for using Google Challenges as an activity and way to gather evidence of learning from participants. She even shared her template so you can modify these to fit the needs of your teachers and align with your learning goals.

Aim for Dynamic PD

Get rid of static PD activities! As you think about designing your learning experience and gathering evidence of learning, I want you to think about moving away from static, one-and-done activities, and transition to more Dynamic Learning, or dynamic PD.

Sit and get PD has to go! Whether you are face-to-face or staring at a screen, we should aim for more active learning experiences in professional development.

Incorporate Multiple Types of Media to Reach All Learners

Context gets lost in the online environment. In a face-to-face setting, you can usually see and read the faces of your participants. Those physical cues are much harder to receive and interpret in an online environment, so we much reinforce the content with additional multimedia resources such as text, audio, images, video, infographics, etc.

Blended Book Studies

Blended book studies are a great idea for blended PD. I’ve facilitated many online book studies, and it’s a great way to discuss and dive into the content, but it’s also a great model for teachers to see the implementation of an LMS like Google Classroom.

We offer several FREE Shake Up Learning online book studies throughout the year. You can learn more and access the schedule on this page.

The Shake Up Learning book was designed for book studies, as are many other educational publications. You will find chapter resources and discussion questions that make facilitating your own study a breeze!

Also, check out this post on How to Plan an Awesome Book Study.

Model the Strategies and Tools You Want in the Blended Classroom

If your school is implementing new classroom initiatives, these should be modeled in the PD experience. This could be as simple as the tools or LMS system, like Canvas, Schoology, or Google Classroom. Or, it could be Project Based Learning. If you are delivering PD on Project Based Learning, the participants should learn by doing Project Based Learning. If you want teachers to use Google Meet for live lessons, virtual office hours, or meet with their teams, incorporate these as authentic experiences during blended PD.

If you want teachers to learn how to design Hyperdocs for blended learning, use a Hyperdoc to teach Hyperdocs. (Here’s a folder of some Hyperdoc PD!)

Choice boards are also a favorite activity of mine. These can be used at any grade level, and with adults during blended PD (like Pam’s Google Challenges mentioned above). You will need to model the use of choice boards and the facilitation, pacing, and be transparent as you answer questions so every participant can read/see how you facilitate and address any issues.

Don’t forget to model things like engagement strategies, inclusion, online behaviors, and accommodations. Teachers need to see examples of what these things look like in the most authentic way possible.

Model Everything in Blended PD:

Digital tools
Engagement strategies
Discussion strategies (synchronous and asynchronous)
Differentiation
Inclusion
Behaviors and norms
Accommodations
Live lessons
Recorded lessons
Virtual office hours
Hyperdocs
Choice/Choice Boards and pacing

Include the Uncomfortable Topics: Diversity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism

In this BONUS episode, I interviewed Keisha Rembert about how to be an anti-racist educator. She shared a lot of ideas to help teachers have uncomfortable discussions with each other and with students.

We cannot forget the importance of these issues during blended PD. Use this as an opportunity to share school policies, facilitate online discussions, and share supporting resources.

Reflection Activities

Reflection is a critical part of the learning process for adults and children. We must remember to include meaningful reflective activities for teachers during blended PD.

Post reflections in Google Classroom, as an assignment, as comments, or even private comments. Flipgrid is perfect for sharing video reflections while also modeling the tool. Be sure to give some reflective questions to guide the activity.

Coaching Activities

One idea is to have teachers record and analyze their own blended learning lessons or watch their own videos. This would be similar to recording a live lesson in the face-to-face classroom but with a blended learning twist. (I discussed this in episode 50 with Jim Knight, The Instructional Coaching Playbook.) Of course, be mindful of what can and cannot be recorded when minor students are in the videos. You can also have teachers observe the blended learning lessons of their peer teachers. We can all learn a lot from each other.

Coaches can follow-up and continue the coaching cycle in the blended environment.

Active Learning (Learn by DOING)

We all learn best by doing–by creating, playing, and experimenting. This is especially true with technology. You need to get your hands on it.

One strategy that I use in The Google Classroom Master Class is called “How To/Now Do.” I record the “How To,” video and then the activity that follows is the “Now Do,” where they get hands-on and try it.

If we need teachers to practice facilitating an online discussion, we need to provide this as an authentic activity during blended PD.

Time to Create Lessons and Activities

One of the biggest complaints about PD is that there isn’t enough time to create something with what you have learned. Always plan for additional time for creating lessons and activities. This is a great way to collect evidence of learning, address questions as they arise, and get teachers to share their ideas with their peers.

Facilitation Tips

Presentation Materials

Yes, we want beautiful presentations and training materials, but pretty doesn’t always give them context, extension, or the opportunity to review content. Be sure to include more information in your training materials to make up for the fact that you are not there to explain every detail.

My presentations, with the exception of a keynote speech, usually have a lot of text and links, as well as images and screenshots. I realize that text is not always as engaging as a pretty picture, but you need it all for blended learning. When participants go back to review the material, they have your words and resources. If a teacher comes back to this resource next semester, will they still understand it?

Virtual Office Hours/Coaching Calls

I highly recommend that virtual office hours and coaching calls be a part of your blended PD plan.

No matter how you support teachers, give them an opportunity to get the 1-on-1 support, or group support they need through weekly or daily online office hours. If you are an instructional or tech coach, make regular coaching video calls part of your coaching cycle.

Empower Your Teacher Leaders to Facilitate PD

Your rockstar teachers often have a lot to share. If you haven’t already, empower them to be a part of your blended PD sessions to share how they do it. This can level the playing field and be less intimidating for teachers.

You could also share weekly shootouts to highlight these teachers and share their ideas. These little sparks can inspire and help you celebrate your teachers.

Sample Schedules

Let’s put it all together! I’ve covered a lot of ground in this 3-part series. Let’s take a look at some sample schedules. As I discussed in Part 1, cramming everything into one-day is not ideal. As we rethink the school schedule, let’s rethink our PD schedule.

The sample schedules below are based on my Dynamic Learning Workshop, but you can use it to guide your own content, incorporating breaks, reflection, and creation time.

Please note, these do not have to be delivered on back-to-back days. Depending on the content, this could be spread over a month or semester.

Half-Day Staff Development – Day 1

8:30-9:20: Go BEYOND with Dynamic Learning (Live and recording made available in Google Classroom or other LMS)
9:20-9:30: Break
9:30-10:00: Reflective task (Flipgrid assignment posted in Google Classroom or other LMS)
10:00-11:45: Lesson Development task/work time (Facilitated with evidence of learning submitted by noon)
11:45-12:00: share progress with an assigned group (3 to 5 group members)

Half-Day Staff Development – Day 2

8:30-9:20: Dynamic Learning – Continued (Live and recording made available in Google Classroom or other LMS)
9:20-9:30: Break
9:30-10:00: Reflective task (Screencastify assignment posted in Google Classroom or other LMS)
10:00-11:45: Lesson Development task/work time (Facilitated with evidence of learning submitted by noon)
11:45-12:00: share progress with an assigned group (3 to 5 group members)

Half-Day Staff Development – Day 3

Within groups, each teacher will share/teach the lesson they developed (guided feedback forms and assign a timer)
8:00-8:20: teacher 1
8:20-8:30: group feedback
8:30-8:50: teacher 2
8:50-9:00: break
9:00-9:10: group feedback
9:10-9:30: teacher 3
9:30-9:40: group feedback
9:40-10:00: teacher 4
10:00-10:10: break
10:10-10:20: group feedback
10:20-10:40: teacher 5
10:40-10:50: group feedback
10:50-11:00: break
11:00-12:00: revisions and reflection

2-hour Staff Development – Day 1

8:30-9:20: Go BEYOND with Dynamic Learning (Live and recording made available in Google Classroom or other LMS)
9:20-9:30: Break
9:30-10:30: Reflective task (Flipgrid assignment posted in Google Classroom or other LMS)

2-hour Staff Development – Day 2

10:00-11:45: Lesson Development task/work time (Facilitated with evidence of learning submitted by noon)
11:45-12:00: share progress an assigned group (3 to 5 group members)

2-hour Staff Development – Day 3

2-hour Staff Development – Day 4

10:00-11:45: Lesson Development task/work time (Facilitated with evidence of learning submitted by noon)
11:45-12:00: share progress with a tablemate

G Suite Training for Schools

We have many programs to help your teachers learn how to meaningfully integrate Google tools and the entire G Suite in the classroom. From online courses to books, to face-to-face training, we got you covered!

COVID-19 forced many teachers and schools to scramble to find tools to deliver online assignments, design digital learning experiences, and G Suite was the number one suite of tools to help make this a reality.

Just in time resources and learning will help teachers, students, and parents survive the crisis. When we return to the new normal, G Suite skills will help set the foundation for more dynamic and meaningful learning in the classroom.

Get your entire campus or district on board with G Suite! Help your teachers learn more about G Suite tools, Google Classroom, and meaningful technology integration strategies. You can even help all your teachers become Google Certified Educators!

GSuiteTrainingforSchools.com

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A Framework for Blended PD (Podcast Series)

Kasey Bell — Mon, 27 Jul 2020 15:34:06 +0000

The post A Framework for Blended PD (Podcast Series) appeared first on Shake Up Learning.

As schools across the globe begin to plan for the new normal and redefine the school day and location, we must also rethink our professional learning plans for teachers and staff.

In this 3-part podcast series, I’m sharing a framework for Blended PD. No matter what you call it–blended PD, virtual PD, online PD, remote PD, or hybrid PD, we need to rethink our professional learning methods.

As we face the new normal, redefining what school looks like, and how we will get our teachers the training they need, I want to share some ways to revolutionize professional learning.

I have put together a Blended PD Framework that I hope will help us approach this problem with purpose.

This page contains links to each of the 3 episodes and blog posts.

Take a deep-dive into Blended PD in this series!

A Framework for #BlendedPD (3-part series)

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A Framework for Blended PD (Part 1) – Planning and Scheduling

A Framework for Blended PD (Part 2) – Designing Meaningful PD

A Framework for Blended PD (Part 3) – Activities and Facilitation Tips

...

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A Framework for Blended PD (Part 2) – SULS072

Kasey Bell — Tue, 21 Jul 2020 08:03:43 +0000

The post A Framework for Blended PD (Part 2) – SULS072 appeared first on Shake Up Learning.

As most schools in the US prepare for the start of school online or in some blended format, it’s important to think specifically about teachers’ professional learning.

I’m sharing Part 2 of my series on Blended PD.

In this series, I’m sharing ideas for planning Blended PD, assessments, strategies, activities, and more.

In Part 2, I’m sharing some ways to design more meaningful professional learning, best practices, and tips I have learned over my 13 years as a PD facilitator.

Did you miss Part 1? Be sure to listen to Part 1 in this Blended PD series, episode 71.

Shoutout

I want to give Tom Justice a shoutout in the Shake Up Learning community for sharing his selfie with the Shake Up Learning book!

Join a Shake Up Learning book study.

Best practices in #BlendedPD for Teachers!

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Quick Tip – Reuse Questions in a Google Form

Save time creating Google Forms and Quizzes for students by reusing questions. It’s super easy.

Click on the “import questions” icon in Google Forms, select the form from which you want to import questions, then select the questions, and click “import.”

Here’s a 2-minute video learn how!

A Framework for Blended PD

Did you miss Part 1? Be sure to listen to Part 1 in this Blended PD series, episode 71.

In today’s episode, I share Part 2 of the Blended PD Framework focused on designing meaningful PD and best practices for adult learners.

Teaching adult learners is different than teaching our K12 students. When you are designing your professional learning experiences for adults, you need to consider the following:

Be respectful of your participant’s time.

Time is precious. Nothing is worse than feeling like you are wasting your time in PD.

Create respectful tasks.

The tasks you ask teachers to complete in professional learning should respect their knowledge and skills as a PROFESSIONAL and their specific role in education.

PD must be relevant.

Adults will not engage if they do not feel it is relevant to their specific job. (We have to differentiate! One-size-fits-all needs to end!)

Incorporate choice of learning.

Adults learn best when they have input and choice. Teacher input is critical to the learning process, success, and continuous improvement.

Be sure to check out this guest post and template by Pam Hubler, Google Challenges for Teachers, for ideas on incorporating choice and choice boards in PD.

Give meaningful feedback and create an ongoing feedback loop.

Give meaningful, ongoing feedback before, during, and after all professional learning experiences. Context gets lost in online and blended experiences, and opportunities to communicate and give feedback is more important than ever.

Encourage exploration and creation.

Blended PD should always encourage participants to explore things on their own or in groups. Teachers should be given opportunities to create as they learn (formative) and create to demonstrate mastery (summative). Most of all, I believe teachers need to be given time to create learning experiences for their students using what they’ve learned.

Include multiple types of media to support learning.

As I’ve mentioned before, blended and online learning makes it difficult to get context, and we need to offer multiple ways to process new information. Combine this with the fact that we all learn differently; we need to include multimedia and multiple ways to learn the content, including video, text, audio, visuals, images, infographics, graphic organizers, etc.–anything that supports your learning goals, extends the learning, deepens the learning, and helps your participants better understand the content.

Incorporate active learning opportunities.

We all learn by doing! Have participants actively create and problem solve. We want teachers actively engaged in solving the problems they face in the classroom. For instance, most teachers experienced a problem with engagement in online learning during school shutdowns. How can we model that? How can we work together to support and solve this problem together?

Create flexible groups.

Opportunities to connect and learn in groups/teams to communicate, collaborate, and ask questions.

Break into meaningful groups based on the pre-assessment. This could be groups based on skill levels, subject areas, grade-levels, needs, etc. Give them a team-approach when possible with flexible groups. Our LMS platforms, like Google Classroom, would be perfect for this. Create a class in Google Classroom for each group.

DO NOT lump your administrative assistants into instructional training. I repeat DO NOT throw your administrative assistants into teacher training. What they need to know and understand about things like G Suite is very different.

This will allow you to add a communication and collaboration element to the experience, so they aren’t just passively watching videos but also engaging and asking questions.

Blend synchronous and asynchronous learning.

Don’t be afraid to combine live and recorded presentations. Live presentations give us more human interactions and allow participants to ask questions. But recording these presentations is also beneficial for those who couldn’t attend live, allow participants to review the content, and more. You can also record different levels of training and presentations based on skill, content areas, etc., allowing for more differentiation.

Recorded presentations help you clone your best in-house trainers, as well as give you opportunities to differentiate, have smaller groups, and save money if you are hiring outside trainers like me.

Offer ongoing support and coaching.

More coming on this idea in Part 3, but don’t forget to design your PD experience with support and coaching for each step of the way.

Offer extensions and enrichment.

There are always teachers who are eager to learn more and dive deeper into the content.

The Edcamp model is a great way to offer teachers more ways to connect and learn together with very little planning. It’s all about choice and discussion. The schedule is created on the fly by participants. These are traditionally face-to-face but can translate into online breakout rooms. If you aren’t familiar with the Edcamp model, visit this page to learn more.

There are many other ways to offer additional resources and enrichment for teachers. Consider sharing podcasts, blog posts, online courses, or online book studies.

How to Design Google PD That Works

In the podcast, I also mentioned my Google PD Framework, where I share the sequence that I teach all of the Google Apps and other tips and best practices. Check it out here.

G Suite Training for Schools

GSuiteTrainingforSchools.com

The post A Framework for Blended PD (Part 2) – SULS072 appeared first on Shake Up Learning.

A Framework for Blended PD (Part 1)

Kasey Bell — Tue, 14 Jul 2020 08:03:08 +0000

The post A Framework for Blended PD (Part 1) appeared first on Shake Up Learning.

As schools across the globe begin to plan for the new normal and redefine the school day and location, we must also rethink our professional learning plans for teachers and staff.

I’m sharing a framework for Blended PD. No matter what you call it–blended PD, virtual PD, online PD, remote PD, or hybrid PD, we need to rethink our professional learning methods.

As we face the new normal, redefining what school looks like, and how we will get our teachers the training they need, I want to share some ways to revolutionize professional learning.

I have put together a Blended PD Framework that I hope will help us approach this problem with purpose.

This episode is Part 1 in the series, where I will share some important steps in the planning process–the needs assessment, defining your goals, pre-assessment, and scheduling.

Shoutout

I’d like to send a huge thank you to Keaira Price for her post on Instagram about the Shake Up Learning book!

Join a Shake Up Learning book study.

Blended PD Tips and Ideas! (Part 1)

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Listen to this article:

Quick Tip – Google Classroom Class Template

You can create a class template in Google Classroom that can be reused over and over. Create a class with your topics, assignments, and everything ready to go! I’ve blogged about this idea in-depth here.

Here’s a 2-minute video to learn how!

A Framework for Blended PD

In today’s episode, I will share with you Part 1 of the Blended PD Framework focuses on planning and scheduling.

While we’re at it, let’s just improve professional learning! I feel like professional learning has needed a bit of a revolution for a long time, and I have sat through a lot of disappointing professional learning experiences in my day. I know I have probably disappointed many as a trainer and facilitator myself. I feel like there’s always room for improvement!

As we are redesigning everything, why not do this now? I have to discuss and share with you to help you figure out what’s best for your teachers and for your school. We are all better together!

I’m choosing to call this Blended PD because I feel like this is the most comprehensive definition. We all have our own definitions, so let’s not get too caught up in the perfect explanation for such an uncertain time. Below are some working definitions.

Remote Learning: Students learn away from the face-to-face classroom, at home, or some other location away from school. Tasks may be online, digital, paper-based, or hands-on.

Blended/Hybrid Learning: Students learn in a combination of environments, including face-to-face, on-campus, online, digital, paper-based, or hands-on.

Remote PD: Educators engage in professional learning away from the face-to-face environment, at home, or some other location away from campus and typical training locations. Tasks may be online, digital, paper-based, or hands-on.

Blended/Hybrid PD: Educators engage in professional learning in a combination of environments, including face-to-face, on-campus, online, digital, paper-based, or hands-on.

I receive PD requests every day, but as we’ve had to shift to delivering virtual presentations via Zoom or Google Meet, I have had to make some significant shifts. For instance, I have been asked several times to deliver a full-day workshop in a virtual format. Y’all! It doesn’t work like that. You can’t just take something that was done face-to-face, put it online, and expect the same results.

“Zoom fatigue” is legit! No matter what platform you are using, there is only so long you can expect anyone, adults or students, to stare at a screen.

We have to get more creative! And let’s be honest, we should have been doing this anyway.

Planning Blended PD

STEP 1: Needs Assessment

Conduct a needs assessment of all your stakeholders–what do your teachers, students, administrators, staff, and parents need during this time? A needs assessment is a process for determining an organization’s needs. It usually involves collecting and analyzing data and taking actionable steps based on that data. That’s data-driven decision making!

STEP 2: Define Your Goals

Using the data from your needs assessment, define the goals for your school or organization. Define your why and align with district initiatives and guidelines from your state, the CDC, etc.

- What do you want them to know and be able to do?
- Academic goals
- Behavior goals
- Cultural goals
- Inclusivity and diversity goals
- Accountability for students, accountability for teachers
- Implementation goals (like going 1-to-1 with Chromebooks)
  - Year 1
  - Year 2, etc.

STEP 3: Pre-assess Your Participants

Based on the goals you have set, create a pre-assessment to see what your participants already know. Do not skip this step! This is critical to keep teachers moving forward. I know from first-hand experience what it’s like to attend mandatory training on something you already know how to do.

Based on the pre-assessment data, create different PD levels, differentiate, and personalize the experience for your participants. Yes, this is time-consuming, but will save you time in the long run.

STEP 4: Scheduling

Let go of the idea of seat time. We should collect evidence of learning required for credit hours. Letting go of this idea should open up more creative scheduling possibilities.

No one ever said cramming learning into one day was a good idea. Get creative and make the experience more meaningful!

Be strategic with scheduling! Spread out PD over longer periods of time. Break into meaningful half-days, 2-hours, or 1-hour options. Flexibility is key for COVID but also something we should have been doing long ago.

I recommend no more than 1-hour of virtual training delivery (staring at a presenter/presentation on a screen) within a 3-hour period. Avoid Zoom fatigue so the learning will stick.) It’s best to spread out virtual presentations over AM and PM or even over multiple days.

Just because you can deliver a 6-hour workshop in person, doesn’t mean you can just do over Zoom and expect the same engagement and results. It’s too much!

Blend synchronous and asynchronous learning opportunities. Don’t be afraid to combine live and recorded presentations. This will help you clone your best in-house trainers, as well as give you opportunities to differentiate, have smaller groups, and save money if you are hiring outside trainers like me.

Offer audio recording options for auditory learners and to offer supplement and accommodations. Add in time for reflection activities. Learning portfolios, which should always include reflection, are much more effective than dog and pony show evaluations.

Don’t forget the follow-up! This should be part of the plan and the schedule to follow-up, give feedback and coach your participants to help reach those goals.

Coming soon, Blended PD Part 2 and Part 3!

Blended PD is not easy, and it will not look the same at every school. But the more we share and work together, the more we can improve our strategies. We have an opportunity to improve professional learning.

I hope these ideas have inspired you. What would you add?

I have much more to share. Stay tuned to the Shake Up Learning Show podcast to catch Part 2 and Part 3 in this Blended PD series!

G Suite Training for Schools

GSuiteTrainingforSchools.com

The post A Framework for Blended PD (Part 1) appeared first on Shake Up Learning.

Google Challenges for Teachers! (FREE Template by Pam Hubler)

Kasey Bell — Mon, 13 Jul 2020 12:56:53 +0000

The post Google Challenges for Teachers! (FREE Template by Pam Hubler) appeared first on Shake Up Learning.

As educators continue to face much uncertainty, we also have to get extra creative with virtual PD.

In this guest post by Pam Hubler, she shares how she developed and implemented Google Challenges to deliver Virtual PD at her school.

Virtual PD, or virtual professional learning, is more than just making things digital. Much like the K12 classroom, we have to rethink everything–planning, delivery, and followup.

Let’s face it, “Zoom fatigue” is legit! No matter what video conferencing platform you are using, there is only so long you can stare at a screen.

I am working on some new resources to help educators design more meaningful blended PD (a new podcast series starts on Tuesday!)

AND, I will be sharing some new professional learning options myself, and here on Shake Up Learning.

Below is a guest post by Shake Up Learning Community Manager and Literacy Coach, Pam Hubler.

Google Challenges for Teachers (FREE Template) from @specialtechie

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Google Challenges for Virtual PD

We’re experiencing a shift in education right now, which has forced educators to use technology creatively to continue to do our jobs. I think it will be a good thing in the end, but now, education is experiencing some major growing pains.

One group that is having to learn quickly is our educational support staff. Many of them have been able to get by with the knowledge they had of basic email and word processing tools they had access to on their desktop computers but never had a reason to explore new tools. Things are different when you have to access and create files remotely using different devices.

This situation created an opportunity for me to provide professional development for some of our district staff assistants who don’t usually have to use our GSuite tools since they didn’t have to access them outside of work. Working remotely forced them to learn very quickly!

I also had to learn very quickly how to provide virtual professional development. When you present in person, you look for facial expressions, listen for whispers, scan the room for people who look like they are frustrated. You can’t use any of those in virtual classes, so here’s what worked for me.

Planning for Different Skill Levels

The hardest thing to figure out is where to start! I had a set group of people at different levels, but most of them don’t use technology outside of work besides a cell phone. I needed a structure for beginners, so with some guidance from Kasey Bell, I decided to start with her Level 1 Google Educator Certification Capacity Matrix as a guide. (Get the Level 1 Capacity Matrix in the Google Certified Educator Level 1 Academy.)

When you’re a power user of all things Google, it’s easy to take what people may not know for granted. This list is an overview of everything an educator has to learn to get Level 1 certified. We didn’t need all of the skills, but this gave me an idea of where to start. The Capacity Matrix is a great place to start for Google training for educators! (8 pages of skills for teachers!)

(sample page)

Step 1: Creating a Training Agenda

I scanned through the Capacity Matrix and chose the areas I knew would be the most relevant to assistants. Since they are not classroom teachers, I needed to focus on more clerical skills. They might also have to do some creation, curating, data searching, etc.
Here are the areas I chose to focus on for five different sessions to start.

Week 1:

Class 1.1: Google Chrome & Google Classroom
Class 1.2: Google Chrome (continued), Search & Calendar
Class 1.3: Google Docs & Slides

Week 2:

Class 2.1: Google Forms & Sheets
Class 2.2: Google Drive & Shared Drives

On Your Own:

All Things Google Challenges – put your learning into practice!

Google Classroom isn’t at the beginning of the Capacity Matrix, but it was the learning management platform we would be using for the class. I needed them to understand how to navigate Google Classroom to make the class easy to follow as we moved through the training.

Step 2: Creating Structure in Google Classroom

Since we worked entirely online for this course, I chose to use the topics to keep things organized. To the left, you’ll see all the topics that I used. The great thing about Google Classroom topics is they only show up for “students” when there’s something under the topic. That keeps it clean and not too overwhelming as they get used to the structure.

Each “Class” was organized with the session Google Slides presentation (All Things Google) first for those who like to follow along, then the Exit ticket second.

I would add any additional resources that I found valuable during the session as materials under the Exit Ticket after the session was over. As hard as you might try, you can never plan for everything your participants will need, so this is the best way that I’ve found to share items after the fact and make sure it’s easy to get back to when they need it.

You’ll also notice a “Class Overview” in the first class. I created a short video using Screencastify to explain how the class would work. I shared an intro and the agenda, Google Meet link, and Google Classroom code in an email to make sure everyone was able to get into the class Google Meet the first time. Just that email was probably overwhelming to a lot of my participants!

Step 3: Creating Presentation Materials

I wanted to keep the presentation simple and use it to guide the order of our topics. When you know a lot about the content, it’s easy to get off topic and show your participants way more than they can handle. All the links go to support pages or resources meant for participants to go back to later if they need help. I go through each topic live so they could see it as I went.

I also recorded the Google Meet so I could add that video to the last slide for them to use later if they needed to watch it again. Here’s the preview of my first session (including the video I added once the Google Meet was over).

Using Google Meet for Virtual Sessions

I set up a Google Meet link in Google Calendar and scheduled it to repeat so participants would use the same link.

Now, I can use the new feature and just turn on the Google Meet link in Google Classroom to make it even easier!

OR…

Record and share virtual session recordings for participants to view later. I recorded my Google Meet by joining through the Google Calendar link. The great thing about setting it up through Google Calendar is that it makes the recording automatically link to the Calendar event as well as the chat archive. You can see that in the Google Calendar image above. The video and notes are also added to my Google Drive.

Follow Up using a Challenge Choice Board

Here’s the fun part! After we did all of our virtual sessions, I shared a choice board with challenges so participants could work through each of the apps we learned. I had them share the link with me through Google Classroom comments to the class so everyone could see what they created. Since these are adults, I didn’t need to become the owner of their creations to see what they learned. I’ve also realized that people will put more effort into their work when they think others will see it.

Directions:

Each choice is linked to a challenge in Google Slides:

>> Get Pam’s Google Challenges Template

FILL OUT THIS FORM to get access to Pam’s Google Challenges Template and join her email list.

Next Steps

As I see their challenges, it has given me follow up ideas for the participants. I can then differentiate based on who needs more support for another round of training in a smaller group. Of course, now they also have someone to go to for help, and that’s my main goal!

It’s been a valuable experience in learning how to teach virtually. I hope you can get some ideas from my experience to help your teachers continue to grow in a virtual learning environment. Good luck!

About Pam Hubler

Pam is an Instructional Coach in Charleston, South Carolina, with 23 years in education. She is passionate about professional development, technology integration, and building a strong culture in schools.

As a Google Certified Trainer, Pam supports teachers by providing frequent professional development on how to integrate GSuite tools into their daily routines. She also guides discussions during weekly PLC’s to help teachers find dynamic ways to provide instruction and develop engaging activities that incorporate the 4 C’s in authentic ways.

Pam also loves to create resources to share with educators through her website www.spedtechgeek.com, Twitter, as community manager of the Shake Up Learning Facebook Group and other social media platforms. She has presented at FETC, the EdTechTeam Low Country Summit, and EdCamps.

Pam is a lifelong learner who loves to read professional development books, especially books from Dave Burgess Consulting, Inc., and listens to Podcasts like the Google Teacher Tribe to keep up with educational technology and pedagogy. She strives to be a PIRATE Leader to support educators so we can keep great teachers in the profession.

Follow Pam on Twitter: @specialtechie

See Pam’s other guest blog posts and appearances on Shake Up Learning

G Suite Training for Schools

GSuiteTrainingforSchools.com

The post Google Challenges for Teachers! (FREE Template by Pam Hubler) appeared first on Shake Up Learning.

FREE PD for Teachers Stuck at Home

Kasey Bell — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 17:28:48 +0000

The post FREE PD for Teachers Stuck at Home appeared first on Shake Up Learning.

Everything is so crazy right now, and we are all faced with a lot of uncertainty.

Some teachers are on spring break, some are on an “extended” spring break, while others are making a go of home learning.

Life looks different. Teaching looks different.

I have created hundreds of free resources, podcasts, videos, webinars, templates, and more during my 6+ years as a blogger.

You may be stuck at home with time on your hands. Here are some professional growth and learning options while you wait.

FREE PD for Teachers Stuck at Home

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FREE PD for Teachers Stuck at Home

Below I have curated many different professional learning resources for teachers including, ebooks, podcasts, templates, articles, and more!

Grab a FREE eBook

I’ve got a ton of free ebooks to help you learn all kinds of stuff. Sorry, each of these does require you to fill out a form and check your email to get the download.

The Google Classroom Cheat Sheets for Teachers and Students – 54 pages ALL FREE!
The Teacher’s Guide to Digital Choice Boards – Learn all about choice boards, get free templates, tips, and lesson design ideas!
The Shake Up Learning Quickstart Guide – Your Dynamic Learning reference guide!
The Complete Guide to Google Certifications – Learn all about the certification options and what it takes to get there.
Google Docs Cheat Sheet for Teachers and Students – VERY USEFUL!
Google Keep Cheat Sheet for Teachers and Students – Learn about this robust tool!
Top 10 Secrets of an Awesome Tech Coach – Great tips for tech coaches, leaders, and anyone who aspires!
Google Certified Educator Level 1 Toolkit – 3 downloads in 1!
Google Certified Educator Level 2 Toolkit – 3 downloads in 1!
How to Become a Google Certified Trainer – Learn about the entire process, the application, and everything that’s required!
How to Pass the Google Certified Educator Exams – Great tips and information to help you do your best!
FREE Google Cheat Sheets eBook – This is OLD, but still very helpful!

Grab a FREE Template

I’ve got a lot of free templates and downloads for you and your students! Working on more, and giving easier access to all of these.

Check out these posts for details:

Watch a FREE Webinar

I have several recorded webinars available to watch on-demand at any time!

Online Learning Tips for School Closures: Best Practices for Teachers & Schools. Join me for this free webinar with Jennifer Pearson, an American teacher who evacuated from China because of the coronavirus. Jennifer shares best practices and tips for online learning and home learning with students during extended school closures, like the coronavirus. Get a plan and be prepared!
5 Things to Know About the New Google Classroom: Learn all about the updates to Google Classroom! Ready to catch up with Google Classroom, learn about the new features and how to implement in your classroom? This is a MUST SEE Google Classroom Tutorial!
3 Things That Will Change the Way You Use Google Slides: Learn why Slides is the most versatile tool in G Suite! In this webinar, I will show you why I call Google Slides the Swiss Army Knife of G Suite. Slides is much more than just a presentation tool. Learn how to use it as a collaboration and creation tool!
How to Get Google Certified!: Learn all about the Google Certification Options for Educators! Getting Google Certified can be daunting and confusing, so I put together this free webinar on How to Get Google Certified! I’ll let you in on a secret. Becoming Google Certified was the BEST decision I ever made as an educator. It completely changed my career path, sky-rocketed my Google skills, transformed my classroom, and helped me connect with some of the most inspiring teachers in the world! I want more educators to experience the professional growth that I have, and more importantly, I want to help you transform your classrooms and give students the skills they need for the future.
How to Create Dynamic Learning Experiences for Students: Learn How to Transition From STATIC Teaching to DYNAMIC Learning! Technology is NOT a solution. It is an opportunity for DYNAMIC LEARNING! Learning can now go BEYOND the bounds of the school walls, beyond subject and grade level, beyond digital tools as substitution, beyond the due date, and even beyond the school day. Are you making the most of the digital tools at your disposal? Is the learning in your classroom static or dynamic? Join Kasey Bell of ShakeUpLearning.com for this FREE webinar overview of the Dynamic Learning Model and Framework from her book, Shake Up Learning: Practical Ideas to Move Learning From Static to Dynamic.

Stay tuned for a new Remote Learning webinar series starting next week! (Registration will be available soon!)

Listen to a Podcast

I’ve been podcasting for several years now, and it’s one of my favorite ways to learn while I’m working out or cleaning the house.

I have two podcasts,

The Google Teacher Podcast–focused on meaningful ways to use Google tools in the classroom, co-hosted with my buddy Matt Miller from DitchThatTextbook.com.
and The Shake Up Learning Show, where I have a variety of show topics, inspiring interviews, on-air coaching, student guests, and more!

New to podcasts? Check out the Teacher’s Guide to Podcasts to learn the basics.

Check out my list of podcast recommendations for educators here.

Not sure where to start, try one of these FREE choice boards:

Click Here to Make a Copy | Use the Template (best for mobile)

Don’t have Google? Download the PDF.

Click Here to Make a Copy | Use the Template (best for mobile)

Don’t have Google? Download the PDF.

Top 10 Shake Up Learning Show Episodes:

Read a Blog Post

Below are the Top 10 Posts on Shake Up Learning right now:

Prep for Google Certification

If you want to work on your Google Certification while you have time at home. I have several free resources to get your started.

Watch a YouTube Video

Subscribe to the Shake Up Learning YouTube Channel and check out the video library. (More videos added soon!)

New to Shake Up Learning? Take a Tour!

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#PottyPD: How to Make the Most of a Captive Audience (FREE TEMPLATE) – SULS043

Kasey Bell — Tue, 17 Dec 2019 09:03:11 +0000

The post #PottyPD: How to Make the Most of a Captive Audience (FREE TEMPLATE) – SULS043 appeared first on Shake Up Learning.

Today we are chatting about something that may seem a bit taboo. We are talking about some alternative ways to share professional learning tips and strategies through what has been dubbed as #PottyPD.

My guest, Pam Hubler, is going to share how she uses #PottyPD to make the most of a captive audience.

This idea has been seen in many iterations over the years–Learning in the Loo, Goo in the Loo (for Google-specific learning), Copier PD, etc.

Pam shares how she uses #PottyPD on her campus to share tips and resources with her teachers. Pam also shares her Google Drawings template, how she curates with Wakelet, and how other campus leaders can make the most of a captive audience in the teacher’s lounge, by the copying machine, in the hallways, and yes, even the teacher’s bathroom!

#PottyPD: How to Make the Most of a Captive Audience (FREE TEMPLATE and guest post by @specialtechie)

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...

Shoutout

Thank you to Michelle Spradlin Ward for her kind comments in our FREE Facebook community.

Do you have a question or idea to share on the podcast? Leave me a message here.

#PottyPD: How to Make the Most of a Captive Audience

We’ve all been in the restroom at a restaurant and found ourselves reading anything within sight, appropriate or not, right? Well, why not take advantage of the few extra minutes teachers have to give them tips to add to their idea toolkit.

I am not the first one to use this strategy; there are many different versions out there. One name for this type of visually-driven bathroom professional development is called #PottyPD, which I started creating immediately after seeing Tara Martin (author of Be Real) share this idea on Twitter and her blog.

I just loved the name #PottyPD and had to borrow it! That’s what teachers do…no need to reinvent the wheel! #sharingiscaring

As an Instructional Coach, providing professional development is a big part of my job. I also remember what it was like to be a teacher, with very little extra time to attend professional development.

Keeping this in mind, I decided to create a visual in the restrooms as a “teaser,” then curate a digital newsletter using Wakelet for teachers to access the same information later if something piqued their interest.

I figured this was a way to share information without putting too much in an email that would go un-read (TLDR “To Long Didn’t Read”). I’m not blaming anyone. I’m guilty of it myself. Educators have a never-ending to-do list!

#PottyPD Examples

Here are pictures of my first year of #PottyPD. You can see that I use a mix of icons, images, and screenshots to create my visual. Enough to catch your eye, read quickly, and make people want to read later.

How to Gather Ideas for #PottyPD

Each volume of #PottyPD has a Google Form (see image below) attached that asks a few questions to guide what I share on the next one. I also do giveaways to encourage teachers to complete the form.

I duplicate the form for each volume, change the image and title at the top, so it matches my printed newsletter, then link it to one Google Sheet so the data is in one place.

Each volume will have its own tab in one Google Sheet (click here for more information on how to do this).

I use the “What would you like to see more of?” question to help guide my next volume, which I usually do monthly.

I also add ideas to a Google Keep note, so I don’t forget what teachers have needed as I help out in classrooms or get information from the district.

Your school improvement goals and district initiatives can also guide you in the right direction. Just like planning for technology integration, you want to ask yourself, what’s the end goal? I use this question every time I prepare for professional development.

How to Create the #PottyPD Poster

Google Drawings! I love the flexibility of the tool. It’s like having a blank canvas that gives you the chance to unleash your creativity!

Step 1: Open Google Drawings

Go to File>Page Setup>Custom>Change the size to 8.5 x 11 inches

Step 2: Add anything you want to your drawing! You can see all the insert options in the image below. I use the shape tools in Google Drawings A LOT!

These shapes can be used to fill color, text, images, etc.

If you want to use a border, start with a white square shape and make it a little smaller than the canvas.

We could go on for days on how to use Google Drawings. Check out the resources linked at the bottom of the post if you want to learn more!

Step 3: Create a Wakelet Collection

I do this last, so I don’t put too much information on the visual.

Wakelet is an amazing curation tool. The image below shows all of your options.

Once you publish your collection, click the Share button and copy the QR Code to add to the top of your Google Drawing. You might also want to add the shortened URL to the top in case someone just takes off a picture of it and wants to type it in when they get back to their room.

Step 4: Save a copy as a PDF to print for the restrooms

Go to File>Download As> PDF

I’ll also download it as a PNG image, so I can use part of the visual for the top of my Wakelet Collection (next step) and Google Form.

I like to use the plastic sign holders in the bathrooms so it can sit on a counter where you can still read it. It also protects the page for sanitary reasons.

I hope this gives you some ideas for your school! Even if you are a classroom teacher, you can use this as a newsletter for your parents.

Share Your #PottyPD Posters!

Let us know what you create and share your creations using the hashtag #PottyPD and #ShakeUpLearning. We’d love to see what you create! Here’s a shared Google Drive folder of #PottyPD to share and collaborate!

Pam’s Wakelet Collection of #PottyPD

See all of Pam’s #PottyPD collections:

FREE Google Drawings TEMPLATES!

Resources and Links

A Wakelet about Wakelet!

Google Drawings Resources

Colorzilla: Chrome extension for grabbing exact color codes from the web.

Noun Project: Free and paid icons to use in your projects

Podcast Question of the Week

“As a leader, how can you create quick learning opportunities for your teachers?”

Post your answer to your favorite social media platform using the hashtag #ShakeUpLearning, or share it in the Shake Up Learning Community on Facebook!

About Pam Hubler

Pam is an Instructional Coach in Charleston, South Carolina, with 22 years in education. She is passionate about professional development, technology integration, and building a strong culture in schools.

Follow Pam on Twitter: @specialtechie

See Pam’s other guest blog posts and appearances on Shake Up Learning

The post #PottyPD: How to Make the Most of a Captive Audience (FREE TEMPLATE) – SULS043 appeared first on Shake Up Learning.