Thing 19: Online Learning & DIY PD

As far as my learning plan goes I truly value any opportunity to take a class either at the college or professional level.  In the past several years I have been lucky to receive some credits from the credit pool at work which have allowed me to take several graduate classes from a local college.  I have also participated in the offerings provided by our local School Library System through BOCES which have included several wonderful speakers including Marc Aaronson and Kathleen O’Dean.  BOCES also offers a monthly Mandarin support group as well as super opportunities, like the Cool Tools program, to our librarians.  I have also found some really great webinars (freebies) offered through vendors and other library listservs as well as exploring some information on my own (like the Google Power Searching course which I took two years ago).  I really like the webinars and I think that they provide excellent opportunities for learning on your own time (even if you can’t attend ‘live’ most of these are archived).  Although some of the vendor webinars include a ‘plug’ for this and that, many of those offer eminently qualified folks providing the information and it is almost always on current library topics, such as Common Core, Inquiry-Based Learning, RTI, etc. 

Since we all need to keep track of our learning for our continuing education hours for NYS, I think webinars and online courses are great ways to obtain hours while really increasing our knowledge as librarians.  I know that many districts are able to provide PD credit for participation in these types of programs, or they if you get so many hours you can convert those hours into credits (which you may be compensated for).  I am very interested in pursuing National Board Certificate and have been to one seminar on this offered, again, by our BOCES.  I am still not sure if I have the time and money to invest at this point but I am seriously considering this as an option in the future.  I truly believe that we are better teachers when we are participating in school too.  We can share our struggles, successes, and failures with our students and it helps them, and us, become more passionate and dedicated lifelong learners. 

Unfortunately, due to budgetary issues, there is virtually no funding available from my district for PD so I have applied for some grants in order to fund some of my adventures in learning.  Some I have received gratefully and some I haven’t but I keep applying and keep finding fun and exciting learning adventures along the way.  My most recent endeavor is a graduate course in Writing and Critical Thinking so that I will be able to be certified to teach ACE English.  I am excited about the class but a bit overwhelmed by the amount of work (since it’s a short term things are fast and furious).  I now can empathize with my more Freshmen who seem to have six tests at a time during benchmark time!  My next steps will be to try and find funding for my National Board Certification and begin that in the fall and perhaps look into becoming a Microsoft Certified Trainer.  I have to say I love school (both teaching and learning) and if I win the lottery I will be pursuing my Ph.D. in curriculum!!  Cross your fingers for me J