Page 53 - EdViewptsSpring2017

effects of yoga on students in the period of time. A shorter timeframe,
classroom, while many took advan- I believe that it is abso- like 10-15 minutes can be just enough
tage of sessions offered on various lutely necessary to engage time to demonstrate a teaching strategy
technology resources. A variety of ses- and answer questions. This type of
sions were offered and led by district teachers in professional PD session also works extremely well
teachers sharing their expertise with development that is for sharing something that teachers
their colleagues. Ultimately, teachers relevant to their daily can take immediately back into their
were able to learn from each other, classroom, like flippity.net, a great
while providing choice served as a teaching while being able website for students to create digital
great motivator for educators! to provide numerous on- flashcards or teachers to create brief
Tech-Mex Tuesday or Tech Tuesday demand opportunities for quizzes using Google Sheets.
These sessions can be offered before, Twitter Chats
during or after school, and entice teach- professional development. As many connected educators are
ers with a relevant tech topic as well as aware, the benefits of Twitter as an on-
free food. Tech Mex Tuesday can be as came to the sessions with different demand form of PD are immeasurable.
simple as an overview of a website like experience levels and different needs. Our district recently took advantage
geoguessr.com and some chips and Enter 5 Minute PD as a quick resource of this, completing a book study of
dip. Teachers are able to learn about a for staff to learn about a particular Teach Like A Pirate using a Twitter
great website or resource in a less for- facet of a program or a quick overview chat. Teachers new to Twitter were
mal setting. Sessions can be offered on to an app or website. To help staff introduced to the concept of a Twitter
a weekly or monthly basis, providing an members, our administrative team chat, study questions were shared
opportunity to share the latest website posted short videos, no longer than prior to the chat each week, and
you’ve found or a new way to utilize an 5 minutes, on certain Google func- teachers joined on Monday evenings
existing technology piece. Borrow an tions, including Gmail and Drive. Staff at 8 pm. The greatest benefit of the
idea from the LEGO Movie and start members were able to access short evening chat was that educators were
Tech and Taco Tuesday at your school! videos or web tutorials to learn about a able to join in from wherever they
Lunch and Learn particular topic or refresh themselves were- at the soccer field, in front of the
This works much like Tech Tuesday, on a certain skill. The video also lived TV, or even from the grocery store-
giving teachers a relevant topic or re- in perpetuity, allowing staff members which happened on a few occasions.
source during their lunch time. Many to learn at their own pace, to repeat Inspiration can happen anywhere!
teachers are willing to volunteer their as necessary until they had mastered In order for professional development
lunch period to learn about a new the Google function. to be effective, it must be designed to
topic or instructional strategy. Have 15 Minute PD engage teachers on relevant topics
participants bring their lunch or order One of the biggest challenges with that meet their various needs. When
a pizza for those participating. Keep it PD seems to be time. For teachers, done right, this can happen in traditional
informal and be sure to share a great before or after school PD sessions formats, as well as alternative formats
resource or lesson idea that teachers can impact family schedules and such as those listed. Consider these
can take back to their classroom im- appointments. Some administrators strategies to change the PD model in
mediately, such as ideas for engineer- have creatively utilized the 15 minutes your district and allow educators to
ing challenges that will have students before or after school that teachers take advantage of every opportunity to
utilizing STEAM principles. are contractually obligated to be in continue their professional development,
5 Minute PD the building in order to deliver quality using non-traditional timeframes to
As our district transitioned to Google professional development sessions. develop their craft and practice.
Apps for Education, training became A good resource or strategy does not
difficult because all of the participants have to be shared over a prolonged

About the Author
Rich Czyz is the co-founder of the Four O'Clock Faculty blog, for educators looking to improve
instruction and learning for themselves and their students. Rich is passionate about engaging all
stakeholders in meaningful and relevant learning. He is currently Principal of the Thomas Richards
School in Waterford, NJ, and formerly a Fifth Grade and Basic Skills Teacher, as well as Elementary
Supervisor and Director of Curriculum & Instruction. Rich can be found on Twitter (@RACzyz) or
reached via email at richczyz@gmail.com.

Educational Viewpoints -51- Spring 2017