Six+Focus+Questions

We are going to develop a virtual PLC on our district’s website using groups to share grade level or department resources. There is a need to train staff using the new district website. Additionally, our goal is to establish a positive collaboration climate among grade levels and departments through sharing resources on this website. This will fulfill the NETS*T “ ** engage in Professional Growth and Leadership”. **
 * 1) What is the issue you are going to work on, and why.

Connected EDUCATORS! POSITIVE!

We want the learners to know where they can go to collaborate within grade/department, there are resources available for them, and how to add resources.
 * 1) What do you want the learners to know and be able to do as a result of your project.

SHARE!


 * 1) How will you work as a team on this?

Assign tasks:

Wikispace to share information or ideas. Meet as a team following the PLP Webinars and on other days, as required.

We chose the topic because of the tremendous changes and the disconnect we have observed within the grade levels. There is a disconnect in communication, content, collaboration. We are trying to prevent the disconnect among the 5-6 teachers because they have been able to physically discuss information, but now will be in different locations.
 * 1) Why did you choose the topic, have others, in different schools done something you can build upon, find out through some research, ask those in your networks to share

Moving from the physical connections to the virtual so that we do not loose resources and ideas.

Discuss with Red Lion about how they share within grade levels? Talk to Jared.

PLC stuff-

Our plan begins with a change to the opening day of our school year. Due to the drastic changes, we are going to create a celebration day, and new working partnerships. We plan to have a team building exercise in the morning that will include a geo-caching activity (scavenger hunt) with each checkpoint highlighting a different type of skill (artistic/creative, leadership, athletic, technology, puzzles, organization/time management, enthusiasm/spirit, problem solving). In the afternoon, we will introduce the district’s website and the capability to establish and continue the PLC’s within our grade levels or departments. Staff will go back to their respective buildings. We will have break out sessions according to levels of comfort/technology skill to demonstrate how to access and add resources to the website. We will have already trained a few experts to assist in the managing of those groups, with more assistance in the lower ability groups. We plan to have at least one PD day so that we can support the continued use of the website. We can also have monthly refreshers offered in the morning to help teachers.
 * 1) What is your plan and why do you think it will work

6. How will you know you have been successful, what evidence will you have at the end to say or that changed/improved/stayed the same.

Use of the website and posting of resources will be one indicator of success. We can also ask teachers to complete a survey concerning their feelings about the website and how it has improved, reduced, or stayed the same for them.