LIBE 477 Developing ICT Skills and Pedagogy
Hello
I prefer to develop my skills, pedagogy, and professional learning in person rather than online. I know that there are so many resources online, but I learn a lot more from in-person sessions when available. For example, two summers ago I attended a week long STEM Pro-D session by Science World hosted at the Exploration Place (https://www.theexplorationplace.com/) in town and learned how to do a variety of coding activities and working with multiple code-able technologies in person. Having the hands-on experience of working with these devices and systems gave me a much deeper understanding than all of the online research I did before hand. Also, it helped me to decide which technologies would be the best fit for my program. These sessions are held every 2 years (this past one was cancelled due to the pandemic) and it is a program that I plan on attending as often as I can.
The PGDTLA is a very active group of TL's in my district that plan and run multiple librarian Pro-D opportunities every year. They are always very current and relevant. This last one, in February, was on Censorship and Selection (highlighting BIPOC representation in collections). We are an active group that communicate frequently and share information, ideas, and professional resources both via meetings, our Microsoft 365 Team group, and Twitter (@PGDTLA). This network of professionals is one of my most valued resources. I can come to them for advice and ideas. There are many very passionate TL's that each share a lot of resources and information regarding their passions (Graphic novels and manga, Coding, Digital printing, Researching, Inquiry, Loose-parts Storytelling - as a few examples).
The final way that I prefer to expand my pedagogy and practice is through reading professional books. I generally purchase and read approximately 5 books a year (largely in the summer months) that relate to different areas that I would like to improve my practice or are recommended to me. This past years focus has been largely on incorporating Indigenous content and pedagogy into every day practice and has included titles like:
Potlatch as Pedagogy: Learning Through Ceremony by Robert Davidson and Sara Florence Davidson
Decolonizing Education: Nourishing the Learning Spirit by Marie Battiste
Ensouling Our Schools: A Universally Designed Framework for Mental Health, Well-Being, and Reconcilliation by Jennifer Katz and Kevin Lamoureux
Indivisible: Indigenous Human Rights by Joyce Green
A good overview of your previous professional development opportunities and preferences for in person events and conferences. There are some good examples of the power of in person events that most of us would happily attend given our current restrictions and limitations. A good reminder about how to use twitter as a professional community of sharing and promoting, as well as a few good book recommendations. Perhaps some goals/plans for the future, going forward? Have you had any professional development since Covid has been limitiing our in person options? What was it about the T-L online diploma that attracted you?
ReplyDeleteThe Pro-D I have been focusing on this year outside of the diploma courses has been Art related. I also teach art, but I felt that was not super relevant to this course. I am doing the T-L diploma because it looked like the best program to further my knowledge of teacher librarianship. I am really enjoying the courses so far, but I do have issues with this one as I find it a little vague and directionless at times. I am limited in my knowledge and don't want to focus on what I have done or already know, but I am not sure where to look to expand my vision and the one sentence prompts are not guiding me enough. Sorry.
DeleteAndrea K
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI feel like your post really emphasises the value of blended learning. While the sharing of ideas and research are essential, nothing provides the same learning opportunity as hands on work. Thank you for sharing your Twitter group, I look forward to seeing more of the groups future posts.
I am also hoping you may be able to give me a book recommendation. By trade, I am an English and History teacher, I don't know much about teaching science. Though I do remember learning at one point, that western based science is taught in a very different way, in comparison to Indigenous science teachings. I would like to learn more about teaching science through an Indigenous lens, have you come across any books related to this, that you would recommend?
Hi Sarah,
DeleteFor starters I would go to fnesc's site http://www.fnesc.ca/science-first-peoples/ and print out and use some or all of the science resources on there if you haven't already.:) they are great, I have used a number, although I have modified them a bit as we are located in the north/central interior and the lessons can have a lot of coastal influences.
I don't know what age you are teaching science to, but Strong Nations also has K-2 books that take you through lessons: https://www.strongnations.com/search/?s=science. I haven't read it yet, but The Science of the Sacred https://www.strongnations.com/store/item_display.php?i=7759&f= looks good although it is focused on medicine.
I know some teachers are using Can you Hear the Trees Talking? https://www.amazon.ca/Can-You-Hear-Trees-Talking/dp/1771644346/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=can+you+hear+the+trees+talking&qid=1614138507&sr=8-1
For their lessons as it is written in accessible language and they can read a page with the class then go and do an outdoor activity immediately after.
The "We are all Connected" Series is great for Elementary-Intermediates. https://www.strongnations.com/store/item_display.php?i=6619&f=
Botany resources:
Medicines to Help Us: Traditional Metis Plant Use - Christi Belcourt (We also have the pant ID cards and art cards! So Amazing)
Braiding Sweetgrass - Robin Wall Kimmerer
Nancy Turner writes books on Indigenous food plants for various regions as well as one on plant technology of the First peoples- I have and use the one for the interior
I also use the book of Sophie Thomas, a local elder and healer, a lot https://sophiethomas.org/book/orderbook.html
I have also found it hard sometimes to bring in indigenous knowledge into science, but plants and the local environment are usually a good way in.
Andrea!
DeleteThank you for all of the amazing recommendations. I look forward to exploring many of them. You've provided me with a great starting point, I really appreciate it.
Hi Andrea!
ReplyDeleteI agree, I like in person learning too. I find that I get less distracted and love having the chance to have conversations in person. Pro-D days are some of my favourite days because of the networking that occurs before, between and after sessions. I am really missing that aspect of everything being online.
The Science World pro-d that you attended sounds amazing. Do you know if they host pro-d's often? I did not think that Science World would have offered professional development workshops! Coding is a passion of mine and I love finding new ways to deepen my learning on teaching it to students.
I love that your PGDTLA is active and a place you can go to for advice. Having those connections is so important!
The Science World one was in conjunction with our local museum and was part of a program to service the north better. I am not sure if they offer pro-d opportunities regularly. Sorry. This one was set up by our museum.
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