Teachmeet Australia

Heard about teachmeets, but unsure what they are?

Teachmeets are voluntary gatherings of dedicated teachers in order to support their own professional learning and that of their students. I first discovered the term "teachmeet" via Twitter in 2011 and immediately set out to try one.  

You can read my previous posts here (Overwhelmingly grand PD 2011), here (Hills inaugral Teachmeet at Oakhill College, October 2011), here (Teachmeet Sydney, please try it we don't want same), here (live meeting; international teachmeet 2011), here (International teachmeet presentation on Pearltrees), here (Handy resources for educators and social bookmarking 2012) here (Crestwood teachmeet and history of TM in Oz 2012), and here (Belief presentation TM Macquarie university; from prac to practioner) 

My first impressions? A warm and welcome bunch of educators who were energetic and driven to help others. This continued far beyond the time frame of the teachmeet session. Conversations carried onto the "teacheat" held after the teachmeet and connections were formed and maintained via twitter, blogs and future teachmeetups.

Teachmeets are attractive to many as:

• the format is conducive to engaged learning.
• presentations are short and snappy (2 mins or 7 minute "info snacks" that can be elaborated on via converations in breaks, teacheats and/or blog posts)
• if a presentation is not to your personal liking, there is another topic presented in 2-7 minutes
• the presentations are prepared and presented by actual teachers who are experiencing student learning now. They get it. They provide honest information on what works in their learning environment and what doesn't. Teachmeet are for teachers by teachers.
• you can take away at least one idea to try in the learning space and adapt to suit you eg a primary teacher may present an idea that you can transfer to a secondary setting.
• important networks are formed.
• they are free.
• they are open to all, preservice, new scheme teachers, experienced teachers, leadership, retired teachers.

What do read what other people think of Teachmeets?

• Australian teachers crazy for their teachmeets! by Maralyn Parker (Daily Telegraph)
• Why teachers love Twitter. By Maralyn Parker (Daily Telegraph)
• Lesson in numbers teachmee aims for a world record. (SMH)
• You own teachmeet by Matt Esterman
• From little things big things grow. By Henrietta Miller
• The conversation: A teachers show and tell professional learning unplugged by Tony Loughland
• Teachmeet seachange the view from the other side by Simon Harper
• Oz teachers magazine
• Education Review

LISTEN to:

• Leon Wilson who organised the first TeachMeet for the Kimberley, at the Kununurra Public Library on the 14th of November between 4 and 6pm. Speed dating PD for Kimberly Teachers 
• Leon made an excellent video that explains TMs click here.
• TER podcast episode 009 3.11.2013 Inside teachmeet at the wharf

More conferences are now holding teachmeets 

These are freely available during lunch, a workshop or after the conference day concludes( for non conference attendees as well as paying attendees) I assisted Al Upton host one during the EDTECHSA state conference: Connecting people-sharing learning in Adelaide (July 2013). Other conferences that have included Teachmeets in their program include (but are not limited to) ECAWA State conference 2013 Teachmeet breakfast and another I presented at The Kings School National Boys conference: Get involved. I applaud these conference in making learning accessible to all. PLANE (Pathways for Learning, Anytime, anywhere a Network for Educators) also held online teachmeets)

Teachmeet Macquarie University

More Universities and TAFES are now hosting teachmeets 

• University of Sydney
• TM Macquarie University 2013 From Prac to practioner
• Australian Catholic University
• When teachers meet (TAFE) 
• We're hosting a teachmeet. Queensland University of Technology

Clever leaders are replacing traditional staff meetings with the Teachmeet format. Love this!

• Covenant Christian School: teachmeet help teachers keep learning
• Techie brekkie and teachmeets at Roseville College

How to find a Teachmeet near you?

• Teachmeet national website
• Teachmeet Sydney (includes calendars, resources and host pack)
• Teachmeet WA
• Teachmeet Melbourne
• Teachmeet Brisbane
• Teachmeet Adelaide
• Teachmeet ACT

Keeping the conversation flowing,

JJ @7mrsjames

Teachmeet Sydney - Please try it! We don't want SAME.

 

                                                                                                    

For those new to the idea 

teachmeet ->

 Click here: What is teach meet?

The screen shots above are a result of a question posed to my PLN (professional learning network) regarding Cybersafety in-servicing for students.  A friend (who is not on Twitter) enquired about guest speaker suggestions and so I sent out a tweet. The suggestions above are only 8 or so out of about 15 responses.  Instant. All in about 30mins and some the following day. This to me is true collaboration - in an effective way.  I have meet all but two of these tweeple at teachmeets and value their input. These personal relationships are a result of my online social network (twitter) whom I may never have meet, if it were not for the contacts made within the Twitter family. I first heard of Teachmeet through Twitter and decided to go along and take a look what the fuss was all about- I am glad I did!

Teachmeet Sydney is really do it yourself PD.  A chance to be inspired, learn and grow. A chance to debrief, make contacts and most importantly, BELONG to a dynamic, enthusiastic and caring bunch of educators.

I wonder what you felt when you read "do it yourself". You see, I really believe as a profession we need to keep moving and keep learning.  That is our game. That is what we encourage our students to do. However,  educators can get stuck in routine.  The same topics for the same KLA (Key learning Area) presented by the same teaching staff, via the same lessons, year in year out.

We don't want same.  We want YOU. We want your thoughts, your ideas, your interpretation, your way of learning. Who are we? We are educators and students who have been hoping, waiting and trialling ways to ignite the passion of learning, back into education. Of course, there are MANY educators and classes that are inspiring daily. And others that are not.

We all learn differently. We all process and create differently.  That difference may have been hard to manage in schools of the past.  Hopefully, more educators will sense and see the value in this shift from teacher directed lessons to student focused learning.  I am still bemused by how little schools actually teach learning skills, thinking skills, management skills, resilience, cyber-safety and organisational skills. They may give a token presentation once or twice a year but this is not enough.

Just as students are conditioned that teachers will provide the content and manage its delivery and assessment, so too are many teachers conditioned that their workplace will provide all relevant support and PD.

Are you lucky enough to work in an environment where educators are:

•   proactive

•   attentive to students needs and learning environments

•   willing to adapt and change pedagogy as required by the learning group or subject presented

•   open to suggestions

•   optimistic

•   proud of their working environment 

•   proud AND content of their efforts and those of their students

•   happy to engage in PD and continual dialogue about education and improvements

•   happy to see what is NOT working and rectify?

I wonder how many teachers are "conditioned" or expect their HOD (heads of departments) to be responsible for their teaching affairs, reminders, programs, direction of learning, assessments and PD?  Is this why self efficacy evades many educators?  See pre-service teacher Lauren Forner's blog post on improving teaching through heightened self efficacy here.

As educators, it is up to us as professionals to be caring enough to invest the time into providing the best possible, engaging learning environments for our students.  That is the role of the teacher.  Attending teachmeets is one avenue to meeting this complex role.  Being an educator can be hectic, fast paced and emotionally draining.  True, but it also rewarding and satisfying.  It doesn't have to be isolating and confusing and thankless, due to a wonderful bunch of like minded educators that you can make contact with via teachmeets- if you choose.  

Just as we encourage students to extend their thinking and move out of their comfort zone, so too should we encourage other educators to get involved by attending teachmeets in their area in order to be connected, inspired, rejuvenated, share, think, grow and learn.  

Click here to read my first blog on Teachmeets-Overwhelmingly grand PD.

Interesting thoughts on Getting others to dive in and play in the deep end:

Click here to be directed to Pip Cleaves posterous post

I would also be interested in reading more on Steve's research:

(perhaps you can contact him with your thoughts and help him out?)

@wholeboxndice

Steve Box

Pls help me with some research. What guides your choice in PD? How has twitter changed your professional learning? more

19 hours ago via web

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@wholeboxndice

Steve Box

How have teachmeets/edcamps/unconferences changed your learning experience? How important is your PLN?

Last week, I hosted the first ever HILLS teachmeet at Oakhill College.  I was privileged the school I work at granted me the opportunity to host this event on site, given our busy school calendar.  It was an amazing process to coordinate, cater and organise presenters.  I was very passionate about providing an opportunity for any willing educator to gather with other like minded professionals. All were welcome. Primary, secondary educators, HOD, principals from public, Catholic and private schools as well as directors of learning from DET all attended in one space with a common aim. This is the beauty of teach meets.  See the link below of the attendee comments, to gain further insight into a teachmeet experience.

Click here to read the Twitter backchannel of the First ever Hills teachmeet Monday-31.10.11

Check out some of the Presentations from all teachmeet's so far

Click here for : Next teachmeet at Ravenswood

TM + Xmas at Abbotsleigh Junior school

THANK YOU TEACHMEET SYDNEY!

There is always so much to learn and improve upon!

I hope to meet you at the next teachmeet.  

Jeannette James

#TMSydney -Hills. Bring a friend! Get involved.