Professional Development is not just attending seminars your district offers. In fact, if you think those courses are the only courses you should attend, you will never be the best teacher/ librarian/ ITS that you can be.
It is important for you to research on your own. Join organizations such as TCEA (Texas Computer Education Association) or TLA (Texas Library Association). It is important to subscribe to technology YouTube channels, blogs, podcasts, and other organizations that will help you keep up to date on new technologies that are being released. Follow anyone and everyone that will benefit you on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Social media can be your best friend. Ask your students what technologies they use and then do a little research- is it something you can use in your classroom? If so, try it!
There is no way that you can be aware of all the Web 2.0 resources that are out there. There is no way a district can provide training on most of them. The best way you can take control of your PERSONAL professional development is to take it personally- get your hands dirty. Research, try it out, evaluate, and decide if it's a resource you would like to continue using. Then, start over. It is a continuous process.
It is important for you to research on your own. Join organizations such as TCEA (Texas Computer Education Association) or TLA (Texas Library Association). It is important to subscribe to technology YouTube channels, blogs, podcasts, and other organizations that will help you keep up to date on new technologies that are being released. Follow anyone and everyone that will benefit you on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Social media can be your best friend. Ask your students what technologies they use and then do a little research- is it something you can use in your classroom? If so, try it!
There is no way that you can be aware of all the Web 2.0 resources that are out there. There is no way a district can provide training on most of them. The best way you can take control of your PERSONAL professional development is to take it personally- get your hands dirty. Research, try it out, evaluate, and decide if it's a resource you would like to continue using. Then, start over. It is a continuous process.