peoplegogy

Monday, May 20, 2013

Blogging Webinar

Published on May 20, 2013
This Google+ Hangout was a discussion featuring Jessica Johnston, Lisa Dabbs,and Paula Naugle. The conversation focused on how teachers can use blogging to improve student writing, develop engaging learning experiences, and become a more self-reflective educator.

Please check out the following blogs of Jessica, Lisa, and Paula:

Jessica Johnston - http://www.edtechchic.blogspot.com/ You can find Jessica on Twitter @ https://twitter.com/edtechchic

Lisa Dabbs - http://www.teachingwithsoul.com/ You can find Lisa on Twitter @ https://twitter.com/teachingwthsoul

Paula Naugle - http://pnaugle.blogspot.com/ You can find Paula on Twitter @ https://twitter.com/plnaugle

TechLearn13 - "Faculty Professional Development"

Published on Apr 1, 2013

On February 13, 2013, Pepperdine University held its second Technology and Learning Faculty Conference. This presentation, "Faculty Professional Development," was given by a panel of Seaver College professors: Dr. Stella Erbes, Dr. Milt Shatzer, and Dr. Robert Williams. In this presentation, these professors discuss their insights from the summer 2012 faculty professional development program. The conference happened at Pepperdine's West Los Angeles Graduate Campus.

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Google Hangout Webinar

Dr. Will Deyamport, III, Ed.D.

Published on May 16, 2013

Google Hangouts Webinar: This webinar is a discussion on how teachers can use Google+ for teaching and learning and for professional development. Brent Catlett, Denise Wright, and Danielle Tisdale were the featured educators in the webinar.

Brent Catlett http://eduhangout.org/

Denise Wright http://www.youtube.com/user/Wright493...

Danielle Tisdale https://plus.google.com/u/0/105827345...

About the author: Dr. Will Deyamport, III, Ed.D. is a connected educator who specializes in digital media learning and development. His research is in using web tools and social technologies for professional development, teaching and learning, and social good.

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

PhD Isn’t the Only Game in Town

By Dr. Will Deyamport, III

On April 30, 2013, I officially graduated from Capella University with a Doctor of Education degree in Educational Leadership and Management. The thing is, so many people have congratulated me on earning my Ph.D., and while I appreciate every congratulations and best wishes, I want people to know that not every doctorate is a Doctor of Philosophy or Ph.D. The following is the four most well known non-Ph.D. doctoral degrees.

Psy.D. – Doctor of Clinical Psychology

The Psy.D. is a professional doctorate in psychology. It is known for its emphasis on being practiced-based, and focusing on the real world skills needed to make a difference in the lives of individuals. Sometimes referred to as a scholar-practitioner doctorate, the Psy.D. concentration is the on applied methods of clinical psychology as opposed to the theoretical or research methods of the Ph.D. in clinical psychology.

Individuals who seek this doctorate are not general looking for a career in academia. The Psy.D. usually attracts individuals who drawn to the hands-on work of counseling and mental health care.

Check out Baylor University for an example of this doctoral degree program.

Dr.P.H. – Doctor of Public Health

The Dr.P.H is an interdisciplinary professional degree program with a focus on training individuals to be leaders, policymakers, and practitioners with the field of public health.

Individuals who seek this doctorate are those interested in obtaining leadership positions in their chosen area of practice. Those positions can be found in government, think tanks, and other institutions where they can have influence over public health policies, development of programs, and the direction over decision-making.

Check out Tulane University for an example of this doctoral degree program.

D.S.W. – Doctor of Social Work

The D.S.W. is a professional doctorate aimed at individuals who want to advance their knowledge and professional skill set in clinical social work. It is also designed to develop leaders in clinical practice. The DSW is different from the Ph.D. in social work in that it is a practice-based degree and not a research-based degree. As such, it is a degree for experienced social workers who want to advance in their careers.

Individuals who seek out this degree program are often interested in pursuing leadership positions in human services or governmental agencies.

See George Williams College of Aurora University for an example of this doctoral program.

Ed.D. – Doctor of Education

The Ed.D is an education-focused, practiced-based degree program and is usually pursued by individuals seeking leadership positions in K-12 leadership or who have interests in teaching, consulting or executive leadership in government, non-profits, or higher education. Ed.D. programs are primarily designed to take existing research and apply it to a specific issue, problem or setting.

Individuals who choose an Ed.D are people who want to take a more hands-on role within an organization. Though it may not be known, Ed.D candidates do conduct scholarly research. And it is important to note that being education-focused doesn’t mean that all Ed.D programs are designed with K-12 or higher education in mind. University of San Francisco, for example, offers an Ed.D. in Learning and Instruction, which focuses on teaching, learning, and instructional design. It is a great option if you are a corporate or teacher trainer or have an interest in instructional design or consulting.

If you are interested in a tenure-track teaching position and interested in pursuing an Ed.D., be sure to choose an Ed.D. that requires a dissertation. Not all Ed.D.’s require one; some opt for a field project

Check out California State University, Fullerton for an example of this doctoral degree program.

I hope this is helpful to anyone who is considering a doctoral degree. Please feel free to leave your comments.

About the author: Dr. Will Deyamport, III, Ed.D. is an eLeader who specializes in digital learning and development. His research is in technology leadership and using web tools and social technologies for professional development, teaching and learning, and social good.

The Educator's Guide to Developing a Professional Online Presence

By Dr. Will Deyamport, III

I meet educators all the time who want very little to do with the internet. Outside of email or Facebook to keep up with friends and family, they see the internet as just something else they need to learn and occupy time they don’t have. But the reality is the internet and web tools and social technologies aren’t going away. Whether you make a conscious effort or not, people and future employers are still going to Google you. So why not put in a little work towards shaping what people will see when they do Google you?

This post is a quick 3 step guideline for pre-service or veteran educators for beginning the process of developing a professional online presence, which is and will be more marketable for you than any business card or binder or portfolio.

Standard Photo

This means using the same photo across multiple platforms. What you want is a consistent, professional online identity. When people Google you, you want them to see the same professional on Twitter as they see on Linkedin. This is not to say that you can’t post any other photos of yourself. By all means share photos of you at conferences, giving guest lectures, facilitating workshops, or even interesting photos of you on vacation. But make sure that your profile photo on different social networks is the same, and never post pictures can compromise your reputation. What you are trying to avoid is sending a mixed message about who you are, what you are, and what you bring to the table.

Contribute to the Discussion

Starting a blog, becoming a guest blogger, vlogging, or creating videos for Youtube or Vimeo are excellent examples of you contributing to the discussion. What you want to do is produce online content that presents your experience and skill-set in your area(s) of expertise. For example, you can write a bi-weekly or monthly post about what you are doing in your classroom. You can also vlog about issues you are passionate about. You can even create tutorials or post videos of your conference presentations. The point is to position yourself as an expert in your field.

Find “Your” Social Network(s)

Don’t join a network because you hear it is the hotness. Finding “your” social network is about you discovering the social network that is the right fit for you – a network that matches your social and informational needs. Do your research and get a feel for the educators on the site as well as the time commitment needed to cultivate the type of networking and relationship-building you want to do. Not every social networking site was created equal. Do you and don’t feel pressured to be on everything.

About the author: Dr. Will Deyamport, III, Ed.D. is an eLeader who specializes in digital learning and development. His research is in technology leadership and using web tools and social technologies for professional development, teaching and learning, and social good.

4 Alternative Education Career Paths to Explore

By Dr. Will Deyamport, III

I have been an educator for 11 years, and whenever I meet people, it never fails that they look confused when I tell them that I do not work in either K-12 or higher education. Even a number of colleges and universities seem to not understand that the field of education is much more expansive. Yet, there are plenty of educators, like myself, who go about the work of leading, designing, and delivering programming aimed at improving the lives of millions of youngsters and adults. (You’ve already heard of many of these organizations, such as The Girl Scouts or The American Diabetes Association.) So if you’re looking for alternate career paths, the following is a list of the 4 most common careers in education outside of K-12 or higher education.

Family Life Education
Family life education is an informative, educational approach to assisting individuals in living authentic and productive lives. Utilizing a family systems perspective, most family life educational programming takes place in a classroom-style kind of setting and can even be provided through educational materials, such as books, DVD’s, CD’s, social networking, Podcasts, and blogs. The goal of family life education is to teach (research-based content) skills that aid individuals in making the best informed decisions about their lives. Topics can include: goal-setting, parenting, career development, dating and romantic relationships, health and wellness, and/or debt-management and home ownership.

If you are interested in becoming a Family Life Educator, you can either contact the Child and Family department at your local college or university or contact The National Council of Family Relations.

Youth Development
Youth Development supports the growth and development of young people. Leaders, individuals, and organizations in the field, such as The Boys and Girls Club of America or Reel Grrls, offer programs and various learning experiences that engage, encourage, and empower young people to successfully transition into adulthood. Some organizations partner with other non and for-profit organizations, others partner with schools, religious institutions, and colleges and universities, and others, such as summer camps, for the most part, do not partner with other organizations, but are offered by state, city, and privately owned entities.

If you are interested in a career in youth development, look into degree programs in Child and Family Studies or Human Development, as well as Youth Development or Social Work. If none exist at the schools you are interested in attending or do not quite fit your interests, you could major in Interdisciplinary Studies or a degree program that will allow you develop your own course of study. Also, contact a local youth development organization to conduct an informational interview.

Adult and Continuing Education
Adult education, often referred to as continuing education, is the umbrella term for the practice of teaching and lifelong learning for adults. Adult or continuing education offers an array of learning experiences. From vocational training to personal enrichment to workplace development as well as GED or adult literacy classes, adult education is focused on adult growth and development. Many continuing education courses are offered by colleges and universities via their Continuing Education or Extension Departments, as well as via many community-based, non-profit organizations.

If you are interested in a career in adult education, you can contact The American Association for Adult and Continuing Education or The University Professional & Continuing Education Association or the Adult Education department at your local university.

Community Education
Community education is the development of individuals, groups, institutions, and communities. Leaders, individuals, and organizations in the field deliver educational programming aimed at inspiring, educating, and connecting with individuals in the community to live their best lives. The purpose of community education is to positively influence the behavior of individuals and communities. Where a youth development organization will serve the youth, and an adult or continuing education organization will serve adults, community education-focused organizations serves all ages of the community.

If you are interested in pursuing a career in community education, look at local organizations or causes that you are most passionate about. Intern and conduct informational interviews with those organizations. Discover where you can make your mark and look for a degree program that will support you in doing so.

Remember the field of education offers several careers outside of K-12 and higher education. Not only do they allow for more freedom, they are diverse and allow for more opportunities for people to follow their passions. I am looking forward to the possibilities of the future.

How to Prepare for a Conference

By Dr. Will Deyamport, III

I attended my first conference in 2000. It was a conference organized by AmeriCorps for new members. I was nervous, excited, and thrilled to be going to a place with other people who shared my commitment to making our communities better. Since then I have attended a few more conferences and presented at more than one of them. Here are my tips for preparing for a conference and getting the most out of your experience.

Be Choosy with Your Sessions

Don’t even try to make every session that peaks your interest at the conference. Start with your must-haves. Those are the sessions that are directly related to the work you are doing, specifically those sessions that align with your areas of expertise. Next choose the sessions that spark your creative interest, but don’t get carried away and overbook yourself. You don’t want to rush from session to session. Finally, give yourself time to relax and network. That means giving yourself gaps of free time in the day. You want to enjoy the experience, and you won’t if you feel like you are dragging yourself around.

Tech

The tech you can’t leave home without for a conference is a digital camera for higher resolution pictures, a digital video camera, if you intend to interview people or plan to record the presentations you attend –including your own – , and your smartphone, laptop or tablet. You could bring a jump drive, but with cloud-based systems like Google Drive, you don’t need to.

Now you may be thinking that you could do everything with a smartphone, and to some degree you could. But if you want high quality pictures to print or share across multiple platforms or shoot high quality video, especially if you want to edit the video, you are going to need cameras that offer more than 8 megapixels. Yeah, I know that’s a lot to carry around with you, but a conference usually lasts three days. You can do it.

Wardrobe

Pack clothes that are professional, weather appropriate and that travel well. No, you are not at work, but you never know who’ll meet and want to present yourself accordingly. This isn’t a job interview, so you can keep it business-casual. But stay away from torn or light-colored jeans, ill-fitted clothing, and clothes that say you are more interested in getting drinks after 5:00 than learning and networking with colleagues. Polish your shoes (no sneakers, dudes), and wear shoes that you can stand and walk in for hours (a 3 or 4 inch heel isn’t a practical option). Whatever you choose, make sure they are clean, ironed, and represent the image you want to project about yourself.

Business Cards

Make sure to bring at least 50 business cards with you. Now you won’t go around handing out your business card to everyone you meet. But you want to have enough cards to last you 3 days. You just may meet your next boss.

If you don’t have any business cards, Moo.com and vistaprint.com are reliable and have affordable options for everyone.

Don’t forget to network! Don’t leave the conference without getting the email, cell number, and Twitter name of the people you want to work with in the future. I hope these tips will be helpful to you.

On a side note, check out conference networking expert Mike Bruny. He is a great person to connect with to learn more about networking at conferences.

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Current and Future Educators: Don’t Hokey Pokey with Social Media

By Dr. Will Deyamport, III

Over the past two years, I’ve been blessed to present at conferences, asked to do talks in college classes, and received an invitation to conduct a webinar for a leading Leadership 2.0 organization. I’ve also had countless conversations with educators from all kinds of grade levels and disciplines. The one constant is educators asking me how they can or why they should be using a social technology.

In response, I tell them they first need to know why they want to use a social technology before they create an account. That is to say, educators need a social media strategy to avoid joining networks that won’t fit their personal needs or require a time commitment they don’t have. This post is for current educators and for those considering a career in education who are contemplating making the leap into social media. In addition, this post is for educators who have joined a few social networking sites and have found the experience less than rewarding.

Who are you and what do you want?

Are you in K-12, higher ed, adult ed, or continuing education? Do you want to update your skills or stay abreast of what’s happening in your field? Do you like constant engagement or do you like to be able to pop in at your leisure. What do you want out of the experience? What type of information are you looking for? This is important because not all social networking sites were created equal. Twitter, for example, is a 24/7, smorgasbord of ideas and interaction. It is a social technology that requires a commitment from the individual in order to build, grow, and sustain a thriving community.

When I first got into social media, I joined every site I came across. From Facebook to Brazen Careerist to The Educators PLN to Edutopia, etc., I hit up the social networking scene like I was at Sam’s Club. Before I knew it, I was drowning in email notifications, and didn’t have a clue about what to do with the overflow of information. It took me a while, but I discovered which sites best fit my personal and professional learning needs and interests. Since taking inventory of what I really need, I now only frequent five social networking sites.

Information Versus Community

What is more important to you? Is it information or is it community? Like I said in the previous paragraph, not all social networking sites were created equal. Some social technologies, like Youtube or Vimeo, are great repositories for information. On Youtube, you can find everything from how to teach reading comprehension strategies to tutorials on how to use various social media tools to conferences and presentations. Other social technologies, like Nings, are about community and a coming together of like-minded individuals. Think of it as creating an online meeting place for a specific group. An example I like is Art Education 2.0 ,which is a Ning for art educators. Another group of social technologies are a hybrid of information and community. They differ from Nings in that users develop community by self-selecting whom they follow and build community with. Twitter, Facebook, and Google+ fall under this group.

Recommendations

Don’t know where to get started? These are a few of my persona recommendations for current and future educators:

Classroom 2.0 is a social network for educators who are interested in using Web 2.0 tools and Social technologies in the classroom. There are over 70,000 members from 188 countries.

Edutopia is committed to transforming how students learn by assisting educators in learning about how to empower students to think critically and creatively, synthesize information, work collaboratively, and discover their own voices.

The Educator’s PLN is a personal learning network for educators. A personal learning network is an informal learning network dedicated to the personal and/professional learning needs of the individual.

Twitter is an information network where individuals can pursue connections as well as content based upon their individual interests. Many educators use Twitter to develop a personal learning network.

Google+ is a social network based upon the idea of sharing content to specific groups of people. Unlike Facebook, individuals can choose which postings are seen by which individuals. This is done via Circles, which is a way to group the individuals you follow.

Google+ also has Google Hangouts, which is a group chat feature that allows the user to set up a video chatroom with up to 10 people – educators can have 15 people in a Hangout with an Edu email address. The on air Hangout is a Hangout that is broadcast live, recorded and uploaded to the user’s individual Youtube Channel. Youtube does not allow Hangouts to be uploaded to a branded site, such as a company, school, or organization. These are great for leading discussions with other schools or having experts or authors speak to your classes.

Edmodo is a social network for students. It functions a lot like Facebook, but is designed for students to do projects and/or communicate with other students. As an educator, you have complete control over what your students can do. My wife, who is a gifted elementary teacher, uses Edmodo and her students love it.

Skype in the Classroom is a network for educators to connect, share ideas, and create learning experiences via Skype. Some of the projects being done include Mystery Skype, where students give out clues about their location, such as longitude and latitude or climate or region, and students guess where they are located. Other projects include book discussions and talks by authors, celebrities, and professionals. My wife had Olivia Holt from Disney’s Kickin It speak to her class via Skype.

Youtube.com is a video-sharing network. As mentioned earlier, Youtube is great for tutorials, lessons, and videos on current and historical events.

Know who you are and what you want out of your social media experience before you start joining a site. No matter what you’re passionate about or have a keen interest in learning about, there is a social network out there for you.

How to Choose an Online Degree

By Dr. Will Deyamport, III

I have an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Management from Capella University. And like those unfamiliar with for-profit universities or online degrees, I was skeptical about the quality and reputation those programs provided. But that all changed when I called Capella about their master’s programs in non-profit management. Once I did the research about their accreditation, I applied and have never regretted my decision.

A for-profit online university has worked well for me. Not only have I been able to build a knowledge-base in educational philosophy, classroom assessment, leadership and numerous other educational theories, I’ve been able to tailor my coursework around the growing field of social media, becoming a budding scholar in the process. Add my internships with J.T. O’Donnell and Ingrid Stabb, along with my dissertation on how social media can be used to individualize professional development for teachers, and I feel confident in my ability to lead a digital media learning institute, as well as teach a couple of classes as an adjunct. But for those unsure about online degrees or even how to go about choosing one, here are some things to look for:

Check for the school’s accreditation. Regional accreditation is good, but subject or field accreditation, such as NCATE or ABET is better.
Ask about the modules used to teach. Are they asynchronous? If so, how are they structured? If they’re synchronous, what kind of video conferencing tech will you need? If it’s a hybrid program, how much time will you spend on campus?

Be aware of time. This points to the length of each quarter or semester as well as the due dates for coursework.

If it doesn’t make dollars, then it doesn’t make sense. Compare the tuition rates. No need to rack up a mountain of debt if the degree program or school’s reputation won’t make you a credible candidate in the eyes of HR.

Know what you are going to learn and whom you’ll be learning from. Ask for a syllabus of the classes you’re interested in taking. Also, talk to a professor or two. You have to feel confident that you are making the best decision for your needs.

As much as I’ve enjoyed being a student at Capella, you’ll never find me pushing an online program on anyone. Everyone’s needs, learning styles and career interests are different. Also, be sure to note that not all online degrees are created equal or are offered by for-profit universities. Many state and private universities are offering online degrees now. Going to school online has its advantages as well as disadvantages, depending on the individual needs of the person. But if you’re interested, I hope those tips will be helpful.

Tips for Future Educators: Social Media and the 21st Century

By. Dr. Will Deyamport, III

Social media allows for the free and open exchange of information and empowers its users to create their own communities. In these communities, ideas, questions, connections, and content are what are drive the user experience. For the educator this means engaging, sharing, and collaborating with other educators to build learning communities around their individual professional learning needs as well as creating authentic learning experiences for their students.

If you have read any of my previous posts, then you know that I recently graduated with an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Management. What you may not know is that my research or areas of expertise is in using digital media for professional development, advocacy and teaching and learning. The following advice is for pre-service teachers. I cover the three social networks I feel every educator and aspiring educator should join.

Twitter

Twitter is a micro-blogging site that supports an open dialogue among its users. Individuals are able to discuss issues, promote their ideas, participate in weekly chats, share links, and collaborate on projects as well as backchannel observations and events as they happen in real time. Twitter is changing how information is distributed on a global scale. And with the ability to post tweets and upload pictures and video from a multitude of devices, Twitter really is the go-to social network.

As a future classroom teacher, you can use Twitter to develop a Personal Learning Network, which is a learning network developed to address your individual professional learning needs. You can also use Twitter to curate (pool) the collective knowledge-base and expertise of other educators, scholars, and practitioners in your field, grade-level or subject-area. Additionally, you can use Twitter to connect with other educators to design and work together on classroom projects. For example, my wife is an elementary gifted education teacher. She has used Twitter to connect with other educators to organize book talks, in which her students and other classes read the same book and had discussions via Skype.

The networking and relationships you will build on Twitter will far exceed the 140 character limit. Personally, I have been able to connect and collaborate with Robin Roffer, Danielle Leslie, Eric Sheninger, and J. T. O’Donnell to name a few.

Google+

Google+ is a social networking site developed by, of course, Google. It works by allowing users to set up Circles or different social groups where people can target specific groups to share news and other content. For example, instead of sharing links, pictures, and videos to everyone like Facebook, the circles allows users to share certain posts or videos with family, others with classmates, as well as a different forum for co-workers.

Google+ also allows users to control and edit multimedia. With the photo tab, users can take all of the photos they’ve shared, as well as the ones they’re tagged in and edit them with the image editor, which comes with an Instagram-like photo effects, privacy settings and sharing features.

What I love most about Google+ is the Hangouts. It’s a group chat feature, which allows the user to set up a video chatroom with up to 10 people for free – a feature you have to pay for on Skype. Once in the chatroom, a notice goes out to everyone in that user’s circles letting them know that that individual is “hanging out.” To gain entrance into the video chatroom, a user must be a part of the circle the notice originated from. Via on air Hangouts, the hangout is broadcast live, recorded and uploaded to the user’s individual Youtube Channel. Youtube does not allow Hangouts to be uploaded to a branded site, such as a company, school, or organization.

As a future classroom teacher, not only can you use Google+ to get posts, pictures, and videos from array of individuals, organizations, educators, experts, etc., you can use the Hangouts to bring in guest speakers as well as connect with other educators for the purpose of enhancing your own professional learning needs. And, you can use the Hangouts to work together on projects, same as what teachers are doing with Skype. What makes me all giddy inside is the ability to lead and host discussions. From Ed conferences, like Google’s EduOnAir to interviews, like On The Go with Ed Cabellon to artists and musicians connecting with fans, like Daria Musk’s Google+ Hangout Concert, I have seen some amazing things taking place during Hangouts. I actually hosted a talk show via an on air Google+ Hangout as part of my duties as the chief social strategist for StrengthsFactors.

LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a must for every professional. It is a digital resume and rolodex with a little something extra. In addition to users posting their resumes, users can catalogue their professional contacts, join professional groups, search job listings, and participate in timely discussions. With features such as recommendations and skill endorsement and while not as flashy as Twitter and Google+, LinkedIn offers its users a clean and professional space to highlight one’s accomplishments.

As a future classroom teacher, you can use LinkedIn as your online business card. It is easier to do than creating a blog or a website, and aside from updating your resume when you change jobs/positions or earn a new degree, LinkedIn does not require you to regularly update your profile. Additionally, you can seek out answers to questions or lead discussions via the professional groups you join. I highly recommend LinkedIn for every educator, especially those who wish to be seen, marketed, and respected as a professional.

The digital age isn’t going anywhere. From Netflix to Edmodo from ITunes to Animoto, what educators can do with technology surpasses anything I ever dreamed of. We live in a time in which information can be viewed and shared via of all things a phone… I am old enough to remember when the VCR was the size of a suitcase … If we educators don’t embrace the best of what social media has to offer, then we will be the ones being left behind.