Powerful Learning Practice (PLP)

Mrs. Cihak, Mrs. DiTore, and I have been part of a professional learning community this year. We have attended classes face to face (f2f), attended online classes (Elluminate sessions) and had the opportunity to network with other educators. During this time there was time to speak and listen. In order to speak it was necessary to "raise your hand." How do you raise your hand online? There is a small virtual hand beside your name which you click and the hand is raised! We have worked, worked, worked! The faculty has been part of the process. Teachers have been learning tools such as Wiki, blogs, and Diigo. The goal this year was for teachers to become familiar with these tools and learn about them. However, many teachers have launched into the unknown of using these tools for student learning! Why have they made such giant steps? The answer is simple-children and how they learn today.

Several teachers have begun wikis for their students and many students have expressed how much they enjoy "learning new things on the computer." Students are learning how to collaborate with others, reading what classmates write, talking to classmates about what they are learning, and enjoying learning. We are at the beginning of including 21st century technology in teaching. But we have started and will continue to do so for the children of St. William School.