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
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."
