Webinars and Professional Learning

Connected Learning - Anywhere!

Teaching and learning in an online, virtual, blended or internet based platform is not just about the tools, it is also about the connections. Don’t get me wrong, we couldn’t provide virtual services without the tools, but the tools come and some go… so we work hard to figure out how to engage with the learners and make the virtual experience meaningful. In the late fall, we spent some time with a few learners and their teacher. You can see that they like each other even though they have only been working together for about 8 weeks. We wanted to know a bit more about how learners were navigating these new tools that were being used at Windber Area School District so we asked them some questions. Here is what we heard when we asked: “What did you think when you heard you were going to be doing some of your class in a virtual environment?” The first students started “I thought it was going to be hard!” Another student described using the virtual tools as an “ex...

What Matters in Schools - Today and Every Day?

I started my weekend with a text message from Dave Lehman, the Superintendent at Conemaugh Valley School District about his testimony in the State Senate this week. I like working with Dave. We have become sounding boards for each other as we have worked collaboratively through Appalachia IU8. The job of a Superintendent goes well beyond the scope heading up schools. Most people don’t know how many hats a Superintendent wears on any given day. Some days we talk about alternative programs and expanding learner options - other days we just commiserate about how little we get to talk about education. James Hollis in his book Swamplands of the Soul stated, ‘Doubt is a radical form of faith’, something that I think is needed when working as a Superintendent. I have learned so much from working with Dave these past few years, he digs in when doubt is present. He often has simple, yet profound advice as he muddles through one of the many difficult issues faced by Superintendents most days. ...

Don't Hurry - Enjoy 2019

As I sat in my usual morning spot, on January 1, 2019 I had to force myself not to hurry. Hurrying has been part of my DNA for as long as I can remember! Don’t be late. Try the new thing first. Don’t get left out. Yet, my morning routine of reading a passage by Marv and Nancy Hiles in The Almanac for the Soul, started the year with the call to “Take thought in the silence of your heart’. Most of us spend little time in silence, and even less times away from a screen, including me. Longing to get outside and take a walk I fell into hurrying, again. Stopping and starting my brain - drifting into the work week. Thinking about my resolutions. Last year I resolved to read two books, preferably non-fiction, each month. The internet and work have taken me away from reading for pleasure and I wanted to feel the excitement of visiting places and times I have not been. Using the NYTimes Book List, PBS and asking friends and family helped me to find titles that were well worth the read and ...

World of Learning Institute

Search This Blog