Do the Math

Yesterday, I presented at Clayton School District’s Professional Development Day. As a first time presenter and second year teacher in the school district, I was nervous for days leading up to the workshop. I knew that what I have to say is very important and should be worthwhile to the teachers who attend, but I also knew if I did not do this presentation well, twelve teachers in my home district are going to be turned off to the idea of using Web 2.0 tools in their classrooms. After much deliberation, I put together a presentation that discussed the why, before the how, and that was paced at the correct speed so any teacher understand.

Here is what I (but really we) came up with…

Here is a link to the presentation (w/no audio) CLICK HERE

Here is a link to the presentation (w/ audio) CLICK HERE

Here is a link to just the audio file recorded at the workshop CLICK HERE

Reflection On the Experience

Wow! What an experience this was. I had around thirteen teachers attend who were eager to learn and ask questions. I believe that each one took at least something from the workshop that could be applied to their classroom. And if not, that at least know the basics of what is happening in the world in regards to the read write web and the creation of web 2.0 tools that teachers can use. I am hoping that the group can continue to discuss the possibilities that Web 2.0 technologies create and also the actual tools that are effective in the classroom.

After seeing the interest that these teachers had in the technologies, I am talking to Michael Fournier about creating a School 2.0 committee at Wydown that could meet to discuss the newest Web 2.0 technologies available. I am brainstorming about ways the committee could present the ideas and web tools over the internet for the teachers, students, parents, and administrators of Wydown and beyond…..CHS, City of Clayton, St. Louis, Missouri, USA, North America, and Planet Earth.

To Those Who Attended

To those teachers who attended, thank you adding your personal experiences and reflections during the workshop, and also the positive feedback that you gave me while talking to your colleagues. Your comments on the blog have added to my reflection about both the positive impact this technology could make if implemented correctly and also the negative impacts that this technology could have that teachers using these technologies have to watch and plan for.

I hope that we continue to have creative and reflective conversation as our teaching careers continue.

-Dave Powers