Debriefing over the semester

·      What thoughts, ideas and learnings did you take away from the PLC Showcase? 

    The Showcase was something that allowed myself and other teachers to meet and share. Since we were using QR codes to demonstrate different activities from using it, a pondering question was answered by another teacher who I don't see about installing a software to enable laptops to read QR codes using the webcamera. I immediately went online and google searched a QR reader for Macs and tested it out. The QR reader software worked but it still has its slowdowns. Nonetheless, this shows possibilities for our students and classrooms.  If I didn't know this information through meeting this teacher I wouldn't have the drive to explore and know about it today.

     Some other things I took out from the showcase is a writing piece that will allow my ESL beginners to start writing language. I found out about some websites that I do plan to use such as glogster, animato, and educreator. 

 

·      Thinking back over your PLC work this semester, what were some of the lessons you have learned? 

 

l learned that you don't know possibilities until you try especially with student activities. When technology doesn't work, find another way to accommodate.

 

·      How might the information gained in questions 1 and 2 impact our professional work? 

The information that were discovered and learned stretched me and my teacher repertoire to be better than who I was and to use my learning in the classroom so mistakes are less frequent and student success is more. 

The PLC Showcase was great as it provided us the opportunity to explore the different thought patterns and learnings of our peers.  Technology and integration was the key things  I took away.  While we are all very different contents, Learning Styles, Teaching Styles, Seasoned teachers and New teachers we have so many common ideas and methods we share.  I love seeking the history and Math connected. It made me think about how could I link my content with history or even math.  I also was able to get writing tools that I could use in my class as I feel very inadaquate Teaching writing but with these resources i'm open to taking the challenge to merge the disciplines.

As I look back over our PLC learnings this semester I have to say that while technology is a GREAT tool we must have a back up plan in the event that there is a technology breakdown and if the idea or project does not follow through as we planned.  I have seen really cool and excited ideas Crash and burn, but I believe that is we learn something from our failures and mishaps then we have accomplished our goal.

As professional we must take every experience and use it to our advantage. The PLC for me has been a time of growth and professional development. I have learned more about my self and my teaching being a part of my PLC that has helped me to be a better teacher and be observant of the vast diversity in our school both student wise and collegue wise.  The new ideas I saw at the PLC Showcase are things I will try to work into my class plus If is have questions I have collegues that I can work with to better perfect these new skills.