Great Professional Development

How would you like to listen to some world-famous speakers and then discuss their talk with them? Drew Buddie and I are organising a series of one hour online talks starting on 2nd November, ie today! Aimed at ICT or Technology Co-ordinators (but all are welcome to join in), the talks will feature a range of internationally-recognised people who are leaders in their field, discussing a range of issues which we hope will be of direct relevance to your work.

I'm really pleased to be involved with this, because one of the issues we're finding in the UK is that, because of the drying up of funding for technology andother "non-essential" stuff, it is becoming harder and harder for teachers to be allowed out of school to attend courses. I think that's a great pity, because as much as online conferences and discussions can be really useful, I believe that you still need to face-to-face chatting and networking that happens in a physical environment.

Still, taking the view that if life isn't the way you'd like it, then like it the way it is, we're going to make these online meetings as enjoyable and fruitful as possible.

Speakers who have agreed to take part include:

Shelly Terrell, who has published excellent work, such as the 30 Goals Challenge. Shelly will be discussing ways to engage teachers in using ICT in their subjects.

Dougald Hine can best be described as an agent of collaboration and networking. Look at his website for a good starting point about the projects he has started and been involved with. Dougald will be talking about creating a thriving collaborative environment.

Chris Smith, who publishes the www.shambles.net website. Chris will be talking about Personal Learning Networks and then will focus more closely on some of the different tools available that enable participation in online conference and virtual participation in real life conferences.

Ashley Allain (http://www.hyperhomeschool.com/) is a home school mum and teacher, and will share her strategies and challenges for incorporating ICT in the curriculum.

These are just some of the people who we'll be chatting to. Please join us on Tuesday 2nd November 2010 at 7pm UK time to find out more (check your local time here: http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/)
Here's the URL:

https://sas.elluminate.com/m.jnlp?sid=2010108&password=M.1B94E17E81B366712FC3F3243C326C