http://plpnetwork.com/2008/12/09/what-makes-plp-work/ Virtual professional development for 21st Century educators | Online PD, Web 2.0 tools, free 21st Century curriculum Mon, 21 May 2012 17:44:23 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://plpnetwork.com/2008/12/09/what-makes-plp-work/#comment-3 Colette Cassinelli Wed, 10 Dec 2008 03:37:14 +0000 http://plpnetwork.com/?p=48#comment-3 Dean, The cohort that I was in for my online Masters of Educational Technology program (Pepperdine University) was one of most engaging and interactive experiences of my academic career. I did have the chance to meet cohort members F2F for 4 days before starting the program and that did help create the social bond among us before beginning the program. But the constructivist model that the professors used required us students to depend on one another and learn in a social setting. It takes careful planning of online experiences for this bond to occur. Too little time is a limiting factor - but many in our cohort found the dynamic online discussions invigorating and exploration of emerging technologies intriguing - and were willing to put in the hours required because we saw the value of what we were learning. It was honestly the best professional development I have EVER done and am always seeking out ways to recreate the experience online with my PLN (more success) and the faculty at my school (less success). You said, “Meaningful change does occur when strong communities are developed and that takes time”. I totally agree and I just need to keep trying to find the right mix. Thanks for your insight, Colette Cassinelli Dean,
The cohort that I was in for my online Masters of Educational Technology program (Pepperdine University) was one of most engaging and interactive experiences of my academic career. I did have the chance to meet cohort members F2F for 4 days before starting the program and that did help create the social bond among us before beginning the program. But the constructivist model that the professors used required us students to depend on one another and learn in a social setting. It takes careful planning of online experiences for this bond to occur. Too little time is a limiting factor – but many in our cohort found the dynamic online discussions invigorating and exploration of emerging technologies intriguing – and were willing to put in the hours required because we saw the value of what we were learning. It was honestly the best professional development I have EVER done and am always seeking out ways to recreate the experience online with my PLN (more success) and the faculty at my school (less success). You said, “Meaningful change does occur when strong communities are developed and that takes time”. I totally agree and I just need to keep trying to find the right mix.
Thanks for your insight,
Colette Cassinelli

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