We are convinced that moving toward a 21st century learning model is the right path for TVS. Not only does it address the needs of today’s connected students, it is also our glide path toward the global learning model which will be a cornerstone of our mission.
However, we also know that such a paradigm shift is not easily accomplished. Never does a workshop or conference change a teacher’s style. It takes more than that. Therefore we have established this professional development model for the future of TVS.
Our principal objective is to stimulate and excite our faculty to adopt 21st century learning styles for themselves so that they may expand this learning style to their classrooms and apply it to their teaching. Our plan was to begin this project in the fall of 2011; however, we have been able to implement several elements of the plan already in this school year. We have convinced our administration of the value of PLP and have received a commitment from them to fund 2 PLP teams for the 2011-2012 school year. We have also begun a Ning community for our CLC.
In the 2011-2012 school year, we will gauge our success by level of participation in our CLC Ning (discussions, links, podcasts, videos posted, faculty postings of projects, etc.) and attendance at our 21st century teaching workshops. Mostly, we will know by the types of discussion teachers begin to have with one another. We hope to see a shift in their thinking.
- February 2011 – Presentation to all faculty. Introduction to connected learning.
- March – April 2011 – Presentations at division meetings. Encourage faculty to participate in PLP teams 2011-2012. Introduction of TVS Connected Learning Community and SummerSpark 2011.
- March 2011 – TVS Connected Learning Community Ning started.April 5, 2011 – Presentation to students and parents – Building a positive digital footprint.
- April 14 – 15, 2011 – 3rd Annual Global Educators conference at La Jolla Country Day School
- April – May 2011 – Planning of SummerSpark 2011. Beginning of Global Initiative.
- May 2011 – Beginning of iPad initiative for faculty.
- June 2 & 3, 2011 – SummerSpark 2011 hosted at TVS.
- June 20 – 24, 2011 – American School in London Learning Institute. Attending the Surviving and Thriving course.
- July 24 – 29, 2011 – Building Learning Communities Conference; hosted by Alan November in Boston, MA
- August 2011 – Form PLP team(s) for 2011-2012.
- August – September 2011 – Form TVS Connected Learning Community teams for 2011-2012.
- September 2011 (specific date TBA) – Boot Camp for TVS CLC
- August – December 2011 – Monthly gatherings for CLC teams. Focus on forming PLNs.
- January – April 2012 – Monthly gatherings for CLC teams. Focus on connected learning in the classroom.
- May 2012 – CLC presentations at faculty meeting.
Our project will officially begin in the fall of 2011. However, we have begun encouraging faculty members to participate in our Ning Community. We have been extremely gratified by the “buzz” we have already created about connected learning at TVS. We are also very excited by several ancillary programs and initiatives happening at our school that result from or are related to our participation in PLP:
– Our school is hosting the SummerSpark Conference 2011, which was begun at the Oakridge School last year out of their PLP Action Research Project
– We have begun an iPad initiative. Faculty will use iPads through the summer and into the 2011-2012 school year to prepare for a student-owned iPad initiative.
– We are hiring a Director of Global Initiatives who will work with teachers to expand our connections with other classes around the globe.
– We will have team members attending the American School in London Learning Institute. and the Building Learning Communities Conference; hosted by Alan November in Boston, MA
To learn more about Trinity Valley’s project and download files and artifacts, visit
the team’s project site. You can also view the Prezi that accompanied the team’s presentation to its faculty and
its Glogster for the culminating event.
