I recently implemented a professional development at my school on how to create a podcast using the Apple application Garageband. This blog entry will be a reflection on how it went, and also a couple of ideas for making the PD better in the future.
I have to say I feel like the PD on creating a podcast with Garageband went pretty well. I feel like I did a good job with having all the materials needed for the PD easily available for all those who participated. I think having them all online was very helpful. I will have to be sure and do this in the future. The class seemed to be very interested in the subject and seemed to remain pretty attentive during the explanations.
A couple of things that I think I might change about my PD are:
1. Less time on the Keynote slides
I had a little keynote slide show where I discussed a little bit about the benefits of pod-casting in the classroom, as well as some activities that can be used with pod-casting. This seemed like a great idea, and I think it would be depending on how long the PD actually is. However, I had a limited amount of time so I feel I spent to much time on those things.
2. More time for the students to explore
Because of all my jabbering, I felt that the students didn't get enough time to explore some of the concepts about Garageband that I was showing them. In the future I will be sure and a lot more time for exploration and application.
3. Less talking and more demonstration
Sometimes I need to just STOP TALKING!! Sometimes I feel the need to explain every little detail when really I could just demonstrate more and be more effective.
I think if I keep these few things in mind for the next time I give the Professional Development that it will flow a little bit better, and hopefully be more successful. All that being said, I feel that overall it was a pretty good PD.
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I could listen to you talk all day!! That said, I understand how you feel about the front end of your presentation being a little chatty, although I am sure your audience didn't mind. Getting the hands-on aspect started earlier will help when you are pushed for time. Thanks to your post I will start approaching PD as I do student lessons because I don't do a lot of talking to students before getting down to the business. I also like your idea of having things be electronic instead of on paper that way it's saved on the computer in some way and they don't have to look for hard copies.
ReplyDeleteYep...talking gets me in trouble too sometimes. I think I need to learn to create a better balance between the two, myself. As I read your post I was also wondering if I'll work as much with keynote or powerpoint next year for PD purposes as I have in the past. I think even though they have their purpose, I also feel like there is a collective sigh in the room that happens when the powerpoint goes up on the screen. I agree that the demonstration goes a long way.
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