For all the many downsides of lockdown, some teachersfounda wealth of professional learning opportunities.Almost overnight, a menu of webinars, Zoom courses and livestreamed educational events all appeared. But will thesedigital platforms become the preferred form of professional learning in the long term?
There are without doubt some drawbacks to online professional learning. Many teachers certainly worried that we might miss the face-to-face connections whichare so valuable in the learning process.Ours isa profession built on relationships.Without the interactions, connections and conversations in person, will digital professional learning allow the same level of collegiality and support as face-to-face courses?
Ultimately, we believe that the accessto inspirational, educational speakers which online professional learning providesfar outweighs the negatives.
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With ScotEd, an online educational conference taking place , we’reconfident of showing that online professional learning is the way forward. Underthe theme of “great teaching for Scotland”, educators from all across the country will share practice and pedagogical knowledge which could make a huge impact in the classroom.
By taking the event online, wehope to break down some of the barriers which can make it difficult to take part in face-to-face courses.The event is free, and we have arange of educators which mighthave been very difficult to coordinate in person.Bruce Robertson, author of The Teaching Delusion and headteacher of Berwickshire High School, will deliver the keynote speech. He will be joined byJamie Thom, Blair Minchin, Amanda Corrigan,Nuzhat Uthmani, Kate Jones, Robin Macpherson and James Cook.All sessions will be recorded so they canbe watched later and shared with staff in school.
So will this be the future of professionallearning? There are definitely challenges in ensuring that online sessions allow interaction and opportunities to genuinely support staff. But onlinetaster sessions means respected authors, headteachers and university lecturers -with their own work commitments and often impossibly busy schedules -are all able to present on the same day and share their wealth of experience and wisdom.
There may notbe a goodiebag to take home or sundry freebies waiting to be snaffled, butthese digital connections may inspire youto try a new approach, or at least do some fresh professional reading andengage with colleagues. That’s got to bemore valuable than afree pen or notepad.
Fiona Leadbeater and Darren Leslie are secondary teachers in Scotland who are organising the on 19 September. Updates can be found on Twitter
