Thoughts on Staff Development

A recent Twitter acquaintance tweeted that she was at a staff development and that the leader of the staff development demanded that all technology be put away.

First, I want a few things defined:

Exactly WHAT technology?

• Pencil/Pen and paper
• Phone
• Tablet
• Notebook

All devices that I have used to effectively take notes during staff development. All devices I have used effectively to distract myself from annoying staff development.

I personally think when we do staff development, we should model effective teaching. Effective teaching and staff development is teaching — involves the whole student – I think that materials should be made available in advance that interest the student and there should be activities during and after the interest and engage the students.

I do that by putting together an online place that people can gather before, during and after. Moodle is ideal for that, but there are also other spaces great.

However, the moral of the whole story is that no one should limit learning technology during teaching and learning. Pen and paper is just a different modality then taking notes with a phone and either can enhance or distract from learning.