Resource Sharing Module 3

For this week's blog I actually found 2 online resources that I will share. The first one I just found to be interesting, and it actually lead to finding the article that inspired it.
http://itsnotallflowersandsausages.blogspot.com/2010/01/plcs-professional-learning-community_20.html
This link takes you to an individuals blog that, as the sub title suggests, is dedicated to teachers. I came across this post because it has the term PLC's in the title of the post. This blogger was disecting an article she had read that can be found at http://www.edutopia.org/professional-learning-communities-collaboration.
While the article was a very basic description of what PLC's are and how they can be beneficial, the bloggers post was far more entertaining! This blogger didn't say she is against PLC's, and in fact said she would be for them if certain things were in place. She did however show the other side of the argument that I think many of us see in our schools, the opposition to change, or "I know best attitude." I think one quote really stood out to me, "Lord knows we don't' need another non-educator sticking their noses into our classrooms and curriculum and telling us how to do our jobs" I think this is something to think about, because as long as our fellow teachers view PLC's like this, it will always be difficult to get buy in for new ideas.

Another resource I found this week was http://www.sedl.org/change/issues/issues61.html You have to continue to click next page to read this whole article, but it was well worth it. This article really went into depth on some of the basics of PLC's. This article would be great for sharing what PLC's are about, where they started, why they are helpful, etc. with someone who isn't familiar with the term, and doesn't have the time to read full books on the subject. It is too the point, and really shows the positives that can come from being part of a PLC.

Resource Sharing #1

The blog that I found this week was helpful to me specifically because this is a subject I teach. The blog is http://www.geographictravels.com/
This blog covers all sorts of geography related topics that range from how parts of the middle east differ from each other to a whole section on teaching aides for the classroom. If you click on this link it takes you right to his teaching aides section. http://www.geographictravels.com/search/label/Geography%20Education%20and%20Teaching%20Aides
The very first post you see there is about finding birth rate and growth rate, both are things I do in my geography class, and both are things students have trouble with. This could be a helpful site to share with them. In the teaching aides section there is are also helpful features such as a chart that will allow you to see when a map went out of date by comparing what countries are on the map and how they are labeled.
I also like that this blog uses lots of videos and pictures. I know that I personally am a very visual person, and many of my students are as well. I am not going to use or read a blog that cannot hold my attention, and a blog of only words usually won't do that.
Overall, I found this blog to be very helpful for anyone teaching Geography or even just interested in geography.

Post with a Link!!!

hey, if you wanna click on this it will take you right back to my blog!!
http://www.scottsblogforclass.blogspot.com/

I've started this new blog for Grad School!

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