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[photo of team]**
 * Teacherconnect – Networked professional development**


 * Manager:** Les Tasker – Les.Tasker [at] tafensw.edu.au
 * Facilitator:** Steven Parker – steven.parker [at] tafensw.edu.au


 * Sponsoring RTO:** Wollongong TAFE – Illawarra Institute


 * Target client groups:** youth; disengaged; skills shortage

This LearnScope project, teacherconnect will enable the research and realization of these aims: · Implementing a sustainable OPEN networked learning professional development model in collaboration with other Institutes · Presenting a series of web2.0, networkedlearning, workshops that can evolve over time (with mentor support). · Developing and implementing new (networkedlearning) approaches for teaching and learning using networking technologies (web2.0 and social software) computers and mobile phones. · Identifying and promoting the professional development networks from other Institutes (i.e. eCommunicate2.0 Network, eFun: Using new media and e-learning to engage 15 – 19 yr old Youth, Metal:ED, using technology in metal fabrication, Hospitality networked. · Illawarra Institute) and projects of the existing innovators and other Learnscope participants. · Encourage teachers to adopt educational technological practices as part of day-to-day work. Tracking teacher’s professional development progress and promulgating outcomes of their work.
 * Project summary:**

http://teacherconnect.wikispaces.com Note: Links to other projects, networks and online presences TAG:teacherconnect
 * Online presence:** (blogs, wikis, EdNA Group, websites, flickr tag, del.icio.us tag etc)

Proposed LearnScope visit/s:** Alex and Robyn - June
 * Postcard from the Field due date:** tbc


 * Team events** (focus, date, time, availability to other teams)


 * Team Discussion** **http://nswLearnScope.wikispaces.com/message/list/112**


 * FURTHER DETAILS:**

The teacherconnect project aims to empower teachers with basic to intermediate computer skills to teach and learn online, communicate their progress and build an educational and resource network. The focus will be on TEACHING AND LEARNING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OUTCOMES over time. For this project there will be an exemplar involving eight participants using web2.0 and social networking technologies in teaching. i.e. web 2.0 technologies such as blogs, wikis, and flickr and utilising video and mobile phones, as well as other TLRU projects. The project will also consolidate research findings through collaborating with innovators from other Institutes and linking to other networked learning communities and Learnscope projects.
 * Background to the project:**

§ Track and capitalise on the growth in skills and knowledge of innovative teachers and staff. § Increase opportunities for networked professional development § Reduce professional development overhead costs. § Develop and promote systems and technology to facilitate communication, idea sharing and networking. § Empower teachers with little experience in flexible learning practices using new web 2.0 technologies and mobile technologies. § Plan support and direct staff to partake in flexible tailored professional development activities.
 * Proposed project outcomes:**

Teacherconnect workshops, resources and activities will impact: participant’s knowledge and understanding off many exciting teaching and learning possibilities. For example:
 * Benefits to client group:**

§ Building personal/professional online identity using web2.0/ free and open source technologies (FOSS e.g. Flickr.com to share photos) and utilise as part off an online teaching and learning pedagogy with student’s § Sharing their learning and identities with colleagues and as part of other professional online networks e.g. teacherconnect wiki, ecommunicate EDNA network, Learnscope Advanced team network. § Using the web effectively, learning from other blogs, reading what is going on in online groups and networks, sourcing free resources on the internet. § Writing for the web by creating blog posts as ideas arise i.e. publishing teaching notes, lesson plans, student notes, resources, videos, pod-casts… using computers and mobile phones. § Exploring the application of technology through planned and mentored group teaching and learning projects § How to find mentors and gurus to provide support to students and teachers with different learning styles. Evaluation strategies:** Facilitator (Steven Parker) will research and report (blog) the development of the networkedlearning model and participants applying their new skills to teaching. The ideas and techniques can then be presented as exemplars by: · Tracking their progress and promulgating the outcomes of their work through the teacherconnect wiki and subscribing to project blogs and project spaces using RSS subscription and RSS newsreaders. Facilitators and participants (teachers, managers and staff) reflecting and reporting the teaching and learning outcomes.

Participants will develop and drive their own personalised learning plan in consultation with their Manager, then reflect (blog) their learning progress for publication to wider community. Facilitators will blog their impression of trialing new ideas and skills with participants following professional development. Participants will be encouraged to share photos of their learning in the teacherconnect flickr group http://flickr.com/groups/teacherconnectpics tag:teacherconnect Participants will be encouraged to share websites they find off interest by tagging their del.icio.us.com account tag:teachcerconnectinfo, teacherconnecttools, //teacherconnectblogs// http://teacherconnect.wikispaces.com/feeds Facilitators and participants will be encouraged to promulgate the teaching and learning outcomes by § linking to project blogs from the § posting about the team in the teacherconnect group blog § posting to EDNA groups ie. Ecommunicate learnscope NSW. We hope to share our learning via :**
 * We are capturing our learning via:**

§ The facilitator will contact different institutes to inform them about teacherconnect project and offer shared badging (with education organizations) [|www.teacherconnect.wikispaces.com] and [|www.teacherconnectblog.blogspot.com]. Collaboration is to fostered by § Benefiting from each others expertise § Pulling together resources § Having shared ownership of these spaces § Jointly defining networked learning professional development learning outcomes in wiki. Participants will be invited to attend collaborative events and workshops at the TLRU at the end of June onwards. § Participants will be encouraged to take part in the NSW LearnScope EdNA Group, Ecommunicate and NSW LearnScope network groups. § Participants will be encouraged to take part in (Demonstrate?) Framework events ie. ICVET the Learning Powerhouse. We’ll connect with others via:** Resources and materials will be linked to, documented and shared with other TAFE NSW Institutes and Learnscope participants through the wiki www.teacherconnect.wikispaces.com and partipcants briefly reporting about new project in teacherconnect blog [|www.teacherconnectblog.blogspot.com]

The project is expected to provide the stimulus for further networking and peer to peer mentoring of Web 2.0 e-learning approaches across the State beyond the project. The cross-Institute, network will facilitate a pathway for additional Institutes to share teaching skills and knowledge between RTOs and industry. This will be achieved by participants presenting (Show and tell) to: § Their project to colleagues and managers § Conference or workshop presentations Ongoing involvement in EDNA groups teacherconnect project

Resources and materials will be linked to, documented and shared with other TAFE NSW Institutes and Learnscope participants through the wake www.teacherconnect.wikispaces.com and participants briefly reporting about new project in teacherconnect bog [|www.teacherconnectblog.blogspot.com] The Teachers/ Participants project will have its own blog, wiki etc. which links to resources and materials that incorporate a variety of multimedia i.e. § Audio- podcasts § Digital storytelling § Mindmaps § Screen casts § Questionnaires § Quizzes § //Video// § //Questionnaire// § //Screencasts// § //Development of model documents and guides// //The teacherconnect project is also tied to the EDNA ecommunicate network and participants will be encouraged to post/ report to this group//
 * Proposed project products/outputs:**