#edcampsd

Today, I decided to go outside my norm and attend Edcamp San Diego. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I registered the day it was available (about a month ago). I figured I needed to get out more and explore other Professional Learning Networks. I need more people to follow on Twitter instead of just stalk! I was excited to learn more, and even more excited when I saw 2 of my coworkers!

So, the Edcamp movement is about creating PD that participants want. It's an "unconference" conference, so to speak. You get there, and educators create sessions the day of the conference and post the titles. They are based on what attendees are interested in learning about. Then participants choose where they want to go.  Our District has done similar PD ideas where our teachers submit topics for sessions. We can choose your too 4 and they try to schedule you accordingly. Problem is that you have to submit your idea 3 months in advance for presenting- so much changes by then- and participant pick like 6 weeks before the session. In my Districts defense, they are having to schedule 1300+ teachers for a day, so I see why. But, I find that I'm so stretched in what I'm involved in and interested in that I don't have enough sessions available for all I want to do!

While at EdcampSD today, I learned more about Chrome Extensions (ah, way cool! I can't wait til I get back to the classroom to play with), technology for math, expanding my PLN, and a discussion on some challenges we face in education (a session is only 50 minutes, so we didn't discuss too many and sure didn't find any solutions!). It was a great experience and I'm looking forward to more PD opportunities of my choosing.

Next up . . . California Mathematics Council-South Conference in Palm Springs! Leaving Thursday might and then sessions on Friday and Saturday. I'm looking forward to this one as I will be with three others that are part of my amazing math team!