Here we are, a mere few hours from edcamp Harrisburg, and all over twitter and this blog we are talking about what we are doing to look forward to edcamp, be it thinking about who we are going to interact with or what we want to talk about. For months the edcamp Harrisburg team has been planning and getting ready. But tomorrow will come and go so quickly. That leaves the big question: What comes next?
For any great professional development, the key is not necessarily in what you learn, but how you use it. Here are some great ideas for getting the most out of the experience and to continue growing after edcamp:
1. Figure out a way to take notes. Use a notepad. Download any number of productive apps for your mobile device. Blog about your experience. Take photos. Follow the @edcamphbg twitter account or search for the #edcamphbg hashtag (and include it in your posts)! There is no wrong way to gather and organize the things you will earn, unless you don’t do it at all!
2. Make connections. We all know who the go-to people are in our own districts. At edcamp Harrisburg, you will me meeting the go-to educators from all over PA (and some from neighboring states), and we are all willing to continue the conversation over the long haul. By building your Professional Learning Network (PLN), you will be able to find a group of educators to bounce ideas back and forth, as well as possibly even collaborate between classrooms. Just looking ver the list of people that are attending, I can assure you that you will be hard pressed to find a more willing, creative, innovtive, and dedicated group of professionals.
3. Try out the things you see. You will come away with so many great ideas for use in your classrooms and schools, but don’t let the thought that it just might not work hold you back. There has always been the possibility that a lesson would fail when implemented, but if something isn’t quite working out, that’s ok. Reflect on what works, what doesn’t, and come up its a way to adjust and make things better. Even if a lesson works, you can still reflect and improve. Talk with your colleagues. Survey your students. There are so many ways that we can improve, and, after all, isn’t that why you’re attending edcamp?
So while at edcamp, remember the basic rules: Share. Discuss. Learn. Use the Rule of Two Feet. And have a spectacular day!
