Traditional classroom teaching pedagogies are being challenged by emerging social technologies on the Web that put the emphasis on creating, connecting and collaborating in a global classroom. Helping teachers develop a fluency with these technologies and, subsequently, helping them implement them with their students in safe, effective and ethical ways requires an ongoing, sustainable model for professional development, one with implications for entire systems, not just individual classrooms.

This session will describe the work done by the presenters in creating a sustainable model for ongoing professional development using 21st Century technologies. It will focus on the ways in which emerging technologies can be blended with face to face activities to build capacity for systemic change both in teaching pedagogies and curriculum. Participants will learn about the specific tools (such as Ning.com and Elluminate, among others), and they will learn how these tools are being used to create change. In addition, they will learn how to identify, create and prepare core teams to lead the professional development activities, how to include and leverage administrative support, and how to build momentum for building out a program throughout their districts.

Outline

Overview of the professional development program--15 mins
Strategies for creating sustainable change with 21st Century technologies--30 mins
Question and Answer--15 mins

Supporting Research

Alabama Best Practices Center--http://abpc.wikispaces.com/
Working Towards Excellece--http://abpc21.org/

Presenter Background

Will Richardson is known internationally for his work with educators and students to understand and implement instructional technologies and, more specifically, the tools of the Read/Write Web into their schools, classrooms and communities. A former public school educator for 22 years, Will’s own Weblog (Weblogg-ed.com) is a leading resource for the creation and implementation of Web 2.0 technologies on the K-12 level, and his is a leading voice for school reform in the context of the fundamental changes these new technologies are bringing to all aspects of life.

His critically acclaimed, best-selling book Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts and Other Powerful Tools for Classrooms (March 2006, Corwin Press) is already being used by tens of thousands of teachers to reinvent their practice, and his keynotes, presentations and workshops to audiences around the world communicate a fresh and inspiring vision of what schools can and must become.

He is a national advisory board member for the George Lucas Education Foundation, an adjunct instructor at Seton Hall University where he co-teaches with Alan November, and a monthly columnist for District Administration Magazine. He is a founding partner of the Connective Learning Group which is dedicated to assisting educators contextualize and implement Read/Write Web tools into their schools and classrooms.

Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach, a 17-year educator, currently serves an adjunct faculty member teaching graduate and undergraduate preservice teachers at The College of William and Mary (Virginia, USA), where she is also completing her doctorate in educational planning, policy and leadership. Sheryl is a published author, featured guest on public broadcasting television and radio shows, and a regular presenter at local, state, and national conferences speaking on many topics including 21st Century learning initiatives. Her current research interests include: teacher leadership, virtual learning communities, electronic mentorship, digital divide issues, and 21st Century educational reform.