Whenever I read about how the web is changing education, I read about how cool young teachers are using twitter in the classroom or how classes are connecting on skype…or whatever. When I read about these things taking place I often wonder…what problem is the new technology solving for the students? Twitter is great, but what value does it add to the classroom experience that email, message boards, or chat-rooms didn’t/don’t? I can’t figure out the answer to that question. This being the case, I’m very hesitant to advocate for how much the web has changed teaching/learning for students. However, I am quick to point out and appreciate how it has changed teaching/learning for the teacher.

I’ve worked in giant school districts where professional development came in the form of a canned presentation from one of several interest groups; textbook company reps, curriculum in a box school reform reps, or district reps interested in pushing the agenda of the leadership by advocating some new sexy trend in K12 that they didn’t (or still don’t) fully understand themselves (differentiation of instruction, centers, etc.). Professional development delivered in this manner is boring, time consuming, and doesn’t meet my individual needs or interests.

My personal professional development comes in the form of my google reader feed, my twitter stream, and the various ning sites I’m a member of. I’m able to streamline my learning to focus on specific topics of interest ( curriculum design, integration of technology and multimedia in the classroom, and school leadership ) in a way that fits into my own schedule and doesn’t cost me any money. I become an expert in the things I care about for free…and my students, colleagues, and school ultimately benefit from all of my personal/professional learning.

Shouldn’t this be what professional development is all about?