Online Professional Development

Last fall, we teamed up with OPI to spread the word about our resources by producing four "Digital Blasts," one on footlockers, our new Charlie Russell lesson plans, online resources that accompany our textbook, Montana: Stories of the Land, and our Women's History Matters project and teaching resources.

We've now combined these digital blasts into an online course, Montana Historical Society Educator Resources, for which you can earn one OPI Renewal Unit through OPI's Teacher Learning Hub. 

This was my first experience with the Teacher Learning Hub (the Hub),  an online platform providing free, high quality professional development and training for all Montana K-12 educators. According to OPI, the Hub will minimize the time teachers spend away from the classrooms to attend training, as well as save school districts money on professional development. OPI is keeping a strong partnership with MEA-MFT and MTDA to build on their early success and broaden offerings for Montana educators. The Hub has lots of offerings--both self-paced courses and facilitated courses--so go check it out!

The Hub is only one of many cool things OPI is doing online. Do you teach writing? Then check out the online Montana Writing Teachers Professional Learning Community led by Skyview High School writing teachers Bridgett Paddock and Wendy Tyree. The kickoff was 3:45 p.m. on January 13, 2016, but this is only the first in a series of monthly on-line meetings that will provide a place for writing teachers across MT to meet, share teaching strategies, and learn from one another's expertise, and new participants are always available. The most intriguing part? The instructors noted that "Time will be devoted to writing together--after all, it's important for writing teachers to write."  

The next online Montana Writing Teachers PLC will be held February 10, 2016, beginning at 3:45. p.m. Joining is easy:

• Click on this link (the same link will be used every month--so if you miss February you can join in March): https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/842676717 Use your microphone and speakers (VoIP) - a headset is recommended. 

• Or, call in using your telephone.Dial +1 (872) 240-3412 Access Code: 842-676-717 Audio PIN: Shown after joining the meetingMeeting ID: 842-676-717GoToMeeting®

• Not at your computer? Click the link to join this meeting from your iPhone®, iPad®, Android® or Windows Phone® device via the GoToMeeting app.