I spend a fair bit of time talking to educators about how to use technology for learning. Courses, workshops, consultations, etc. In the end, impact is uncertain. Did they use the tool? Was it successful? Did it help students learn? Ah, the internal angst of determining the value of ones contribution to others. With a mild sense of simmering dissatisfaction of how educators adopt and use technology, I found this concept worthwhile to explore: Viral professional development here and here..."I call my strategy, “Viral Professional Development,” or “VPD,” because it is based on the popular definition of “viral,” that refers to a technology, tool, or teaching strategy that is quickly spread from one person to another."
A professor in grad school told me that teaching is like dropping letters in the mailbox, never knowing whether they were delivered or not.
I hope the virus will spread quickly, because I see so many teachers and educators, my own colleagues, delaying their own learning about the use of technology in their personal and professional life...
In my seminars, conferences and teacher training sessions I look at them hoping the message reach their understanding and awakens them from the darkness.
Sometimes, I look at them and I see children: I don't know exactly if what I'm saying will have any impact in their knowledge in the future...
I understand your concern, George and Jay, I really do!
Posted by: José Paulo Santos at March 6, 2008 6:21 AM