 For years, I cringed at the terms Professional Development or Workshop. My first in-service experience, as a second year teacher, literally left me in tears. I remember going to the workshop, excited, being a novice teacher and all. I thought 'hey, something new, right? I am going to be able to apply new techniques for my students". WRONG!!! All WRONG!! Instead I was left feeling overwhelmed, confused, wondering what is it that I was really supposed to do. Was I supposed to ignore all that I learned in college, drop the strategies the same school district taught me just a year ago? You see the district had just adopted a new textbook series (I would learn later that I am just better at creating innovative lessons than following a script). And every teacher was expected to use the textbook in the format, or so I thought, that the facilitators presented.Thank God for veteran teacher and my mentor, Ms Roberta Ellis (if anyone knows where she is let me know right away). Ms. Ellis told me, own what you need, you got to make it yours. She reminded me, that I was a good teacher that I had a great first year and that you got to make professional development yours. Of course, at that time I truly didn’t know nor understood what she meant. I would spend years after, attending workshops, training etc that I had to try and make my own. What I came to realize, that if I had choice in what I wanted to do, I was way more invested. And if I didn’t have choice, the presenters had to be dynamic, engaging and fun. Then came social media. Period. My life has forever changed. I love sitting in a chat, even if it’s just edu-stalking a riveting conversation. I learned all about Google Apps, back when ISTE hosted weekly sessions on Second Life, (now SL is just creepy to me). Through Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Pinterest I created my own professional learning community and personalize my professional development. I have sat in my pjs with my laptop and participated in one of the world’s largest PD event when Google hosted Google Education on Air (if you missed it you can still see it). That was awesome! I have tweeted and learned from my friends over at @EdTechAfterDark and #3rdchat, great educators, great people, tons of ideas. My Pajama PD Party is my way of helping others bring back the fun and take ownership of their own professional development. We know its importance but sometimes we just want to have fun have it our way. Learn it. Play it. Own it. Tami 
0 Comments
"Hi, My Name is Tamara Pradel and I'm the Technology Innovation Educationist" is what I typically say at the end of a Professional Development session and if I have a mic, well... let's just say I hope I don't have to buy a new one. It seems like a mouthful. But the honest truth is that simply calling myself a technology integration expert or instructional technologist or education consultant just did not capture the whole scope of what I do and can do. Let me break it down for you like this:  Technology - As my current CEO once said, when I think of you I think of ALL things technology. Now I don't say I would go that far, but I would say that when I enter a room, a meeting, a consultation I accept the fact that I am seen as the technology expert with the solutions. And for the past 14 years I have assisted schools, businesses, individuals and non-profit organizations alike, find ways to seamlessly integrate technology with purpose and meaning. From choosing tools for office management, selecting the right tools for teaching and learning, creating fully online virtual learning environments and just simply providing one on coaching with an individual who wants to expand or improve their use of digital tools.  Innovation - Really and truly, once you enter the world of technology especially in education, it's like stepping into an Innovation portal. A place where uniqueness or "disruption of sameness" is accepted. A place where if you like puzzles and challenges you will strive. Technology has forced me to to question and challenge the way I think and do things, a place in which I find much comfort. It's not just about being creative but it's about finding new and fresh ways to engage students and adults in the learning process. It's not about working outside the box but it's how many ways I can use the box, in or out. I love it when a person or an organization comes to me and says "Help me. do something different" in the way we teach, present or train. You can check out my most recent innovation here at "My Pajama PD Party" a combination of two of my favorite things to do, teaching and partying...yoohoo!  Educationist - Yes educationist is a word, primarily British in nature as stated by Merriam Webster Dictionary. It is most often defined as a person who specializes in the theory and methods of education. Emphasis on methods. But I love the way the Audacious Educationist defines it. She states the following about educationist: "Educationist are self-motivated..." "... are advocates who serve the best interest of students in any educational setting by facilitating students' natural desire to discover and contribute to the world..." "...educators with a pinch of artistry, and a dash of ministry as they seek to educate mind, body, and soul...their own and those around them" (and I'm going to add here themselves as well) Find the full article What's the difference between an educator and an educationist? here. As an educationist I have the joy of creating learning environments for in schools, in colleges, at conferences, at workshops,online, wherever it may be. My role is to make engaging, fun, learning experiences that meet the needs of the learner, whoever that learner maybe. Is it you? Hi, My name is Tamara Pradel. I am the Technology Innovation Educationist.
|
AuthorEducation + Technology +Innovation + Tamara Pradel= Learning Your Way Your Time 
Archives
March 2017
Categories |
RSS Feed
