Professional Development and the Web

The internet has shrunk the teaching world to the point where professional development can be gained from the comfort of your own home without the need to pay, travel, or have your classes covered.
Teachers can leverage new technologies to access a flood of creative ideas to enliven their classes, and to connect with other classroom practitioners both in Australia and in other countries and contexts.

Twitter is one tool for accessing these resources and networks. The presenter will offer some suggestions for using Twitter effectively.
Teacher blogs provide a wealth of stimulating material, although you have to read the right ones.

Teacher video link ups using FlashMeeting, Elluminate or Second Life occur with surprising regularity. There is an Australian/New Zealand group that meets every Sunday, and plenty of other groups or sessions available every week. The Second Life 3D environment has plenty of teacher areas, such as Jokaydia, Terra Incognita, or Rez Ed, where teachers can network on a casual basis. Entire conferences are held in Second Life with world class presenters but not registration costs.

Many of these channels operate easily on a ‘just in time’ basis. Whenever you happen to be in the mood for learning, there will be something out there you can join. The presenter himself has found himself in the middle of live online educational events at the strangest of times, on nothing more than a whim, and left the richer for the experience.

The presenter will have tips for all these technologies, including details of people to follow, blogs to read, events to attend.

Participants may want to install "Tweetdeck" from www.tweetdeck.com, and register at www.twitter.com, and download and register for Second Life at www.secondlife.com before this session.

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