And Term 2 begins...

Things are happening at our school.
Our school is being geared up to handle the CELT for implementation in 2012.
Presented to the staff on what we should be doing in Term 2.
It went like this:
"Professional Learning plans are in.
Don't forget to apply for $600 funding and up to three release days - but your plans must be finalised.
Focus for Term 2

• Professional Reading
• Interview/survey/assess students
• Discuss with colleagues
• Visit other teachers/schools/experts
• Join online communities e.g. Diigo, Twitter
• Undergo training e.g. CELT, IWBs

Leading to:
Short presentation of your research to your team in week 2, Term 3.

Term 3

• Analysis of results
• Put into action
• The effects of that action e.g. how has student learning improved (depends on your plan)

Term 4.

• Presentation of methodology and findings to your team
• Final showcase to staff (format to be announced).

The great things is that lots of people are excited by what they are studying. Lots of people are not and consider it to be a burden. What we need is a tipping point of people to drag the others into the enthusiastic corner. I would have hoped we have done that already but I am not convinced.

Two ideas were flagged in the last week:
1) What if we want to buy an iPad with our $600. We won't encourage it this year, but will look at it next year with the school subsidising the cost and you get to keep it after 3 years.

2) Unconference. The idea that the final showcase might be an unconference. All people who are willing present their ideas for discussion that they will lead. This is pinned up and then the rest of the staff map out their day based on whatever discussion they want to join.

We have gone so far in a few years.