The end of the sixth week Or Blogs and self-development of teachers

I remember reading a book by Julian Edge way back in the 1990s on cooperative professional development. He suggested an alternative approach that teachers could use with the help of a colleague. Self-observation and reflection played key roles in the teacher’s professional development process that led to action and growth. The colleague’s role was lending an ear and helping the teacher to focus.

Blogs can easily be used as journals in which we reflect on our teaching practice. It is easier to reflect on what is going on when we write. Writing helps us to focus better and build our awareness: it helps us to discover more about the situation and about ourselves. As long as it is taken seriously, reflection truly leads to action, learning and growth. Our blogs are plain evidence for this. Blogs are a great tool for any teacher who is commited to professional growth.

But there is a difference: the colleague’s place is taken by a community of teachers who also blog and share ideas, reflections and reactions. And who are also committed to professional growth. And believe me, that feels a whole lot better.

Dear Bee, Aaron and Graham, dear colleague bloggers. These past six weeks were wild! The experience is unsurpassed in intensity of learning, reflection, action and professional growth! Thank you for sharing it with me. Let this be just an end of week six and tomorrow week seven will start.

P.S.
He who has never blogged will blog tomorrow, and he who has blogged will also blog tomorrow.