Reflecting on STar In-person Inservice

"If facts don't fit the theory, change the facts." Albert Einstein (1879-1955)

Yesterday, I completed an extensive reading in-service training for Delaware ABE and ESL educators. Two very highly qualified, engaging trainers provided three two-day STar Reading training sessions over the course of the past six months. http://www.startoolkit.org/
I cannot begin to describe all that they taught nor all that I learned about teaching intermediate level adult learners to improve their reading skills.

Yesterday, the last of the six day sessions, I spoke to the thirty-some participants (educators, program administrators, staff development folks, and state administrators. I very briefly told them about my return to grad school and about this blog. I asked (pleaded with) them to link to it, read it, reflect upon it, and respond with comments. I would really like to encourage my colleagues to use this space as a place to collaborate on issues that relate to our professional development.

Last night, I also completed and submitted my project proposal for this project - this blog project. What I realized as I finished it was that each time I had edited and added to it, my ideas for the project had changed - but I used the word "evolved". It was a little painful in fact because I had made so many attempts to "finish" the assignment. But, by the end of the evening and after submitting what I referred to me as my most recent "work in progress", I did calm down as I came to realize that all of our works are "works in progress".

I came up with a term that I used in my proposal.... Internet Enabled Collaborative Learning Tools (IECLTs). I want to investigate and share what I learn about these kinds of tools as I continue to post to this blog. I sincerely hope that my colleagues and/or others who find their way to this site feel very encouraged to respond/comment to what I share. I am actively seeking collaboration.

I may post again later this evening, but I will leave for now with a few questions.

• What information might I share that will encourage you to respond and return on occasion to this blog?
• How much time to you have in your day to read, reflect and respond?
• Are you comfortable with the format of blogs, and/or how "user friendly" is this one for you to navigate?
• How interested are you in changing the way you "do" professional development - to include Internet enabled PD opportunities?

Thank you for taking the time to read this afternoon's post. Please look forward to "coming attractions"!

Gina