Mo Physics Mo Problems

I put out the call yesterday for podcasts featuring conversations with educators. The response was overwhelming.  The Number 1 Podcast by far was Cult of Pedagogy by Jennifer Gonzalez! Below you'll find a slideshow with all the podcasts that got multiple recommendations. There were a bunch that I had never listened to before and am excited to catch up with. Click on the image or name to get more info about the podcast. Yesterday I also created 2 different posts on podcasts. Why Podcasts for PD? Where to Start with Podcasts for PD (featuring some of my favorite PD Podcasts) Here is a complete list of all of the podcasts that were recommended in alphabetical order.  Currently in the process of linking out each one, some podcasts have more of a web presence than others. Some may just take you to iTunes or iOS podcast app. #OnEdMentors " Passionate educators connect weekly with teacher candidates, new and seasoned teachers to address questions, explore ...

I am loving seeing the shift in educator professional development across the nation. While we still have traditional sit and get PD, educators have to opportunity for more anytime, anywhere PD. I was particularly excited when my school Principal Brett Gruetzmacher approved educational podcasts as an accepted form of Professional Learning hours. I was excited for myself personally, but also for the ability to promote podcasts as a legitimate form of professional development for educators! Podcasts have really changed my PD workflow. I discovered podcasts back in 2005 and have never looked back. Up until about 3 years ago, most of the podcasts I listened to were for entertainment. Now, the podcasts I do listen to have a balance between personal enjoyment (film, cooking, music, news) and educational ones. In the simplest terms, it is an audio program (or it could be video) that is available to download (or stream) to a portable audio player or computer to replay at your convenie...

How to Listen to a Podcast Everyone has their favorite podcast listening software of choice. It may also vary based on the device you are using. For those of you using an Apple device, the Apple Podcast app may be the way you choose to listen, but it’s pretty crummy in terms of its functionality. I personally use the Overcast app . It’s free. But there is a premium option, you don’t need to upgrade to premium! As far as Android devices, Google Podcasts may be the way to go. Additional apps that work on both Apple and Android devices are Stitcher or Spotify . Within any of these apps, you’ll be able to browse, stream, and download shows. In my experience, there are 3 different formats for Educator Podcasts. There are shows which focus on a single topic per week and spend the time drilling deeper. This means that the topics can vary greatly from episode to episode. Another category would be interviews or conversations with educators. In this episode the educators are the sta...

The EdCamp experience is special for many reasons. It may be your first step into sharing your experience as a professional. It may be a place to learn about something new. It may be a place for making connections with educators who share your passions. If you are and educator who is interested in solutions and taking an active role in your profession, EdCamp is the place for you. An EdCamp is an unconference in which the participants in attendance pitch the sessions for the day. Then participants choose the sessions they wish to attend. EdCamp is a place where your role could shift from session to session. EdCamp as a place to present A traditional educational conference requires presenters to submit proposals months in advance. So presenting at a conference is a pretty big commitment. It is super intimidating. It requires a bit of ego and willingness to be rejected in order to take the time to complete that proposal submission. An EdCamp provides perfect baby steps for someone...

Yesterday we held EdCamp Elmbrook 2019. It was our 3rd time putting on this event in our district. While last year we had around 120 attendees, this year we broke 200 in attendance. If you are not sure what an EdCamp is, it is an UnConference model. Attendees come to the event and propose the topics for the sessions they want. While these sessions are being pitched, the schedule for the day is being built. For each session a communal notes document is created for sharing thoughts and ideas for those in the sessions but also for those who are in other sessions or those who can't be in attendance. Below, you will find our schedule for the day along with session notes documents linked The variety of the sessions was incredible. This is due to the fact that EdCamps aren't geared to one specific population. It is not a tech conference, it is not a literacy conference, it is not an administrator's conference. It is a conference that is shaped by the needs, i...

As a professional I take great pride in the freedoms I have in terms of implementing state standards and designing a curriculum with the goal of reaching all learners. But these things that are expected of my. The one professional accomplishment I have been most proud of the last two years is the EdCamp I helped found in my school. It has required the work and support of many other people to make it happen. But, I realize that without my first step of putting up the following post on my blog and sharing it through our district's Google+ Community , it never would have happened. As we gear up for our 3rd EdCamp Elmbrook on March 2nd, I wanted to share some reason's why YOU should come to Brookfield Central that day and be part of the EdCamp Experience. The reason I champion the experience is for all of the great learning that I get from other educators in my content area and beyond. More than learning from them, they become a part of my personal learning network. I know that...

As 2018 comes to a close, I think of all of the great resources that have helped me reflect on and improve my practice. Although the year is over, I know these will continue to be wonderful resources to come back to in 2019 and beyond to continue growing. Ive inserted single slides so that the links would be live unlike a static image. So, please click on the names to access these amazing resources! Blogs Whether I read them on my phone or laptop, I always love reading the stories of bloggers. Blogs are the number one way I've grown my PLN starting with the first IMMOOC run by George Couros and Katie Martin back in the day. BTW I'm still looking for the best way to curate the blogs that I follow on a mobile device so that I can keep up to date rather than relying on bookmarks and email newsletters. Who's got a good tool for that? Presentations I was lucky enough to attend several conferences this year. I heard some great presentations and had lots of great ...