DIY Professional Development: Resource Roundup

Resources by Topic:

• All About Twitter
• The Un-Conference Model
• Tech Tools on Your Own Time
• Building a Professional Learning Network (PLN)
• Additional Resources on the Web

All About Twitter

• Five-Minute Film Festival: Twitter in Education, by Amy Erin Borovoy (2012)

  Twitter has become a powerful tool for teaching and learning. VideoAmy offers up a playlist of videos that will help you learn to use the social platform for networking, sharing resources, and more.

• 12 Reasons to Get Your School District Tweeting, by Joe Mazza (2012)

  Blogger and elementary principal Joe Mazza suggests (at least) 12 reasons why it's essential for school districts to open a Twitter account and start tweeting.

• On Twitter: To Follow or Not to Follow, by Nicholas Provenzano (2012)

  Blogger Nick Provenzano offers his three basic rules for keeping teacher-student Twitter communications reasonable and appropriate.

• How to Use Twitter to Grow Your PLN, by Betty Ray (2011)

  Edutopia's Betty Ray discusses how to get started using Twitter to expand your personal learning network and provides a list of education-based "chats" on Twitter.

• Twittering, Not Frittering: Professional Development in 140 Characters, by Suzie Boss (2008)

  An early introduction to the educational uses for Twitter, a great source for real-time professional development information.

• Share Your Twitter Name Here

  Find other members of the Edutopia community on Twitter. Ongoing conversation thread from the Education Leadership Group on Edutopia.

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The Un-Conference Model

• Join the Big Conversation of Learning 2.0, by Suzie Boss (2012)

  Edutopia blogger Suzie Boss takes a look at some of the highlights of the Learning 2.0 virtual unconference that happened in August 2012.

• Empowering Teachers with DIY, by Betty Ray (2011)

  Edutopia's Community Manager Betty Ray shares how DIY community and events -- like Mini-Maker Faires, TEDx events, and edcamps -- can empower teachers.

• A New Conference Model Built on Collaboration, by Mary Beth Hertz (2010)

  Mary Beth Hertz introduces the worldwide edcamp unconference model in a series of four blogs. Check out the full series:

  • Part One: Introduction to edcamp
  • Part Two: Planning -- Taking Care of the 'Big Stuff'
  • Part Three: Financing an edcamp
  • Part Four: Doing All of the Little Things


• How to Use the Startup Model to Ignite Innovation, by Elana Leoni (2011)

  Edutopia's Elana Leoni reports from Startup Weekend EDU and emphasizes the need for innovation and the entrepreneurial spirit in education.

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Tech Tools on Your Own Time

• Five-Minute Film Festival: Learn to Use Web 2.0 Tools, by Amy Erin Borovoy (2012)

  Ready to start exploring some new technology tools to help your students be better creators and collaborators? VideoAmy hunted down the best video tutorials for many popular free Web 2.0 tools.

• Pinterest for Educators? by Eric Sheninger (2012)

  Principal Eric Sheninger reviews the new social media bulletin board to discover some exciting educational opportunities. Also check out VideoAmy's "Five-Minute Film Festival: Pinterest for Teaching and Learning" for a playlist of videos about Pinterest.

• New Teacher Boot Camp, by Lisa M. Dabbs (2011)

  New teacher mentor Lisa Dabbs offers hands-on practice with several powerful Web 2.0 tools and describes how to integrate these tools into the classroom in creative and engaging ways.

• Google for Educators: The Best Features for Busy Teachers, by Sara Ring (updated 2011)

  These user-friendly tools from Google will keep you and your class inspired, inventive, and organized.

• Join The Web Tools Collective, by Eric Brunsell (2011)

  This three-part series introduces online tools for collecting and assessing information, creating and expressing ideas, and connecting and collaborating.

• How to Use New-Media Tools in Your Classroom (Video Playlist) (2009)

  In these brief user-generated video clips, educators from around the country give lessons about specific technology and social-media tools you can use with your students.

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Building a Professional Learning Network (PLN)

• 21st-Century PLNs for School Leaders, by George Couros (2012)

  School district administrator George Couros encourages social media newbies to expand their PLNs for their own professional development, as well as for the benefit of their students.

• Five Tips for New Teachers to Become Connected Educators, by Lisa Dabbs (2012)

  Edutopia blogger Lisa Dabbs invites new teachers to consider the meaning of Connected Educator Month and how connecting will help them succeed this year and beyond.

• Resources for Growing Your Professional Learning Network, by Edutopia Staff (2011)

  This excerpt from our Summer Rejuvenation Guide will help you get ideas and tips for creating connections and developing a network.

• Can We Use Personal Learning Networks to Create Real Reform? by Betty Ray (2010)

  Personal learning networks consist of colleagues and contacts around the world who offer support, feedback, and collaboration. Or, one could argue, instigate reform. In this #edchat summary, Betty Ray explores the question of how those networks could be mobilized for educational change.

• Teachers and Community Members Practice TLC with PLCs, by Ellen Ullman (2009)

  Advice on creating a culture of collaboration and improvement with professional learning communities. Also check out the article "How to Create a Professional Learning Community" that accompanies this one.

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