ODYSSEYWARE

In the last post, we tapped into those old feelings of being the last kid chosen to be on “the team.” Today’s digital world provides lots of resources for teachers to reject the loneliness that comes from working alone. You can create or join a professional learning team.

Let’s go over the facts. According to MetLife Survey of the American Teacher (2009) and as reported in Education Week,

…today’s teachers work alone – they spend 93 percent of their time is school working away from their colleagues, and they continue to work alone during their out-of-school hours of preparation and grading.

Why work alone, when you can have all the advantages that come with teammates? You can join an existing team, or create one of your own (where you get to choose the players). As a part of a professional learning team, you can collaborate, share challenges and solutions, generate ideas, and find support. Now, doesn’t this bring a whole new dimension to your solitary job?

How can you begin? While it’s your game and you can create your own rules, it may be helpful to take a look at the Six Principles of Success for Professional Learning Teams created by The National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future (NCTAF).

High performing schools, they suggest, improve student achievement with professional teamwork that has six essential elements:

1. Shared Values and Goals

2. Collective Responsibility

3. Authentic Assessment

4. Self-Directed Reflection

5. Stable Settings

6. Strong Leadership Support

You can find an expanded version of these essential elements in Team Up for 21st Century Teaching and Learning.

If you’re ready to join a team or create one of your own, start by becoming a fan on the ODYSSEYWARE’s Official Facebook Page. Start a discussion about a challenge you’re facing or an idea you would like to explore. Invite your friends and colleagues or connect with someone who’s already there, but be choosey like the other popular kids.

It’s almost a no-brainer. First of all, you have a couple of things in common with other fans. You work in education and use ODYSSEYWARE as your online curriculum. No need to recreate the wheel when there’s a hub just sitting there waiting for you to speak up.

There’s another thing: our Facebook page is a good place to find out what’s going on in the world of technology-based learning. We share news, links, product information, and a laugh once in awhile.

Most of all, remember this: though you may feel alone in front of your computer, you’re never alone in the virtual world.