RSA3: Teachers click with shared content and anytime access

RSA3: Teachers click with shared content and anytime access

As schools continue to adjust to the ever-changing Web 2.0 experience, at least one thing remains a constant, collaboration. By working together, professionals address a characteristic of a quality professional learning community. While there are many tools out there to encourage collaboration, it is challenging to find a one size fits all for a district.  Forsyth County Schools in Georgia has taken on a Web 2.0 approach to professional learning by encouraging sharing, networking and design with staff.

An enormous benefit of sharing is the quantity of work available to an individual increases instantly.  When teachers compile learning objects, such as documents, graphics, simulations, video, sound, and other media tools to engage students, every staff member has quality materials to use for the benefit of the students (Pijanowski, 2010). 

            Networking can sound like a newer technical term, but in reality teachers have been networking for years.  By networking with other teachers who share common interests such as the grade level or content, a single staff member can gather new information to share with their team, building or district. Creating networks with a common purpose are more likely to bond and be successful (Sun, Heath, Byrom, Phlegar & Dimock, 2000). These new ideas can be shared through a learning management system, providing everyone with access to quality ideas, tested practices and additional resources.

            Lastly, keeping in mind the rapidly changing online world and the variety of skill levels that teachers posses, districts must adequately prepare the staff to encourage success. While compiling all this information with colleagues may sound like a daunting task, starting small can encourage success.  As teachers post their own work and realize that they will walk away from this experience with some great content of others, the positive learning experience can be contagious (Pijanowski, 2010). 

Pijanowski, L. (2010). Teachers click with shared content and anytime access. Journal of Staff Development,31(1), 30-33. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com.cucproxy.cuchicago.edu/ehost/detail?sid=ff51077b-f32a-4176-9413-1c3baed8a590@sessionmgr111&vid=13&hid=127&bdata=JkF1dGhUeXBlPWNvb2tpZSxpcCxjcGlkJmN1c3RpZD1zODQxOTIzOSZzaXRlPWVob3N0LWxpdmU=

Sun, J., Heath, M., Byrom, E., Phlegar, J., & Dimock, K. V. (2000). Planning into practice: Resources for planning, implementing, and integrating instructional technology. (p. 130). Austin: SEIR TEC partners. Retrieved from http://www.serve.org/uploads/publications/PlanningintoPractice.pdf