For the past three years Yorktown Community Schools has
hosted an IDOE Summer of eLearning conference. Each year I've had a front row
seat to the conference planning process. The first year I was a presenter, but
jumped in on the planning a week before the conference to help with the last
minute details. The past two years I've served as conference coordinator,
planning everything from the keynote speakers and schedule of sessions to the
design of the name tags. I've done a lot, but I haven't done it alone. My small
but mighty tech team, our media specialist, and even our superintendent have all
worked tirelessly to see that our conferences have been successful. It is their dedication to detail that has made each event a truly professional learning experience for those who attend. Each year
our attendance has grown and conference feedback has been positive from those
who have attended. Last year we branded our conference "WeLearn",
a title/theme that promotes collaborative learning and embraces the idea of
making learning a game, complete with avatars similar to those on the Wii
system. (Get it? ;)
Each year our conference has featured topics
that are important in the world of EDTECH. We have been mindful to provide
sessions that meet the needs of our own YCS teachers as well as the needs of those
in the neighboring districts whose teachers often attend. But aside from all of
that, so much more learning goes on at WeLearn. Lessons about who WeAre, how WeLook, and where WeLack were learned by
those of us doing the planning. That’s right we were learning too, even before
we ever sat through a single conference session. These lessons cannot be
documented with PGP points, but rather with wisdom that impacts how we function as a district as well as how we interact with others.
WeLearn has taught us who WeAre. WeAre a corporation that truly believes that access
to technology provides students and teachers with opportunities that would
otherwise not exist. Opportunities to connect, create, and facilitate learning
using methods that mirror the world we live in. The caliber of sessions that our
own YCS teachers present each year is evidence of this. It is no doubt thanks
to the leader of our district who has developed and continues to promote our vision.
Her leadership has a direct impact on the attitudes about technology of all
stakeholders in our district. As a parent of three YCS students myself, I appreciate
that. WeAre preparing our students for their world.
WeLearn has taught us how WeLook to others. The saying "perception is
reality" is spot-on in the world of education. The comments and feedback
from those who have attend WeLearn show that Yorktown is viewed as an EDTECH
leader in our area and in the state. Folks look to us as an example, which can
be a both a blessing and a curse. While the compliments and recognition are
great, it is added pressure on us to deliver. This poses challenges when hiring
new teachers and administrators, developing professional development plans, and
ensuring quality instructional practices in classrooms. Nothing changes more
quickly than tech. Seeing that we are keeping up is a constant challenge, but we
are committed to seeing that the way WeLook represents the reality of who WeAre.
Finally, WeLearn has shown us where WeLack in resources.
Lacking in resources in not new in education. The conference planning process
brings full attention to how lean we are administratively and in our tech department.
We are fortunate to have access to devices in our district, but the number of people
assigned to see that these work and are used well is very low compared to other
districts functioning at our same integration level. This becomes clear each
year during the six months of planning for WeLearn as we struggle to keep up with our regular assigned
job responsibilities while taking on the second job of organizing this event.
So why do it? That PD piece, the "use it well" part of our job. Teacher
buy-in is often a battle that folks in a position like mine face. YCS teacher participation
in this summer learning opportunity is voluntary. While not all YCS teachers
attend, the number of YCS teachers and administrators who come to WeLearn has greatly increased over the past three years. This year we had
five times the number of YCS employees attended than the year our conference
debuted. While we are still not at 100%, WeLearn is inspiring and motivating a number of teachers
enough that they want to attend in an effort to improve their tech integration skills
despite the fact they are not compensated for doing so. It is this type of
dedication that further illustrates who WeAre.
I'd like to thank the IDOE for providing us with
this opportunity the past few years. Not only has WeLearn helped hundreds of Indiana educators improve
their integration practices, but it has helped us as hosts learn more about our
district. So whether you’re a WeLearn attendee, presenter, or a conference planner I
guess our conference slogan applies. iLearn, uLearn, WeLearn...TOGETHER.
For a snapshot of this year's conference, check
out our #ycsWeLearn Storify.
