Week 3, Blogging Blues.

I've just realised how hard it is to blog. I did plan to make brief entries to the where-abouts and happenings of my days, but as you can see I haven't kept up with that. So, taking the pressure of myself, these post will probably be shorter and more intermittent.

Last Friday I attended a small conference discussing issues relating to the VET Multimedia subject I teach. I think it was pitched a little below where I am, but I did take away a list of web resources that I want to explore.

I had my first VET Multimedia classes last week at HSC and ABSH. All went well.

This week I must prepare for a PD that I'm am delivering about Studywiz. I am also preparing documents for staff about how to use the intranet.

Things at PIC are going ok, students start this week.

The next few weeks will be trying as I will need to manage my time between the two schools.

Teaching Other Teachers.

On numerous occasions, I've been called upon to help update the skills of colleagues. Usually it is reciprocal process, and everyone comes out learning a new skill. This year, we gained a new colleague only to loose her and to gain another. Both staff were employed to fill the role of VET Year 11 classroom teacher and neither have taught the subject before. This is not uncommon as you will find most teachers move outside of their subject areas to fill voids in the schools timetable. In effect, I have helped two colleagues learn the VET multimedia subject curriculum twice over.

As much as it is time consuming, it does reinforce and give time for reflection over the current curriculum and the way we deliver it.

On Thursday, I delivered a Keynote presentation to an audience of seven, using images mainly made up of student examples of back up and finished works. The reception was great, teachers commenting on the ideas in the keynote and note the keynote itself .(It did look pretty slick)

My presentation was an overall guide to how we deliver the content. We then asked our guest to show one unit of work, and the back up material. It was great seeing other teaching ideas within the curriculum. Next year, the VET Multimedia diploma changes, so once again we will have to re-evaluate and re-write how we deliver the content.

VIT has this to say about delivering PD to other teachers.

"While preparing to deliver professional development to colleagues a teacher is usually reflecting on, exploring and expanding their professional knowledge and sometimes their practice. In this circumstance, the preparation would be counted because it contributes to the teacher's own knowledge and practice."

PD Preparation.

Shift-Command-3 - Screen grab on OSX.

Shortcut Of The Week!

I'm not prepared enough for my VET Multimedia presentation on Thursday yet. I was hoping to get more written in preparation today, but I was quite busy with students assessment and working in our digital lab as the students prepare for their end of year folio. Monday is also our weekly staff meeting, which ran quite quickly and to the point today.

So.. the kicker of my PD will be... DIGITAL NOTES!... on CD!

High school teachers get confused when they don't have paper in their hands, so I wonder how this will go.