The PLAN
My IDP for this year will entail the following work/goals:
Professional Growth
* Attend an industry specific professional development opportunity
* Attend a teaching specific professional development opportunity
Service
* Get involved in department activities
* Enhance our relationships and partnerships with neighboring school districts
Instruction
* Find effective strategies for engaging college students both in-person and online
* Work with online instructors to enhance online instruction throughout the department
Professional Growth
For Professional Growth, I met both goals but I would like to do more. The industry specific professional growth conference I planned on attending in March of 2020 was cancelled at the last minute due to COVID-19 and the organization has not yet offered any in-person training opportunities. However, I was still able to learn valuable industry specific information by attending the virtual ACSM conference sessions, and I hope to have the opportunity to attend a similar conference in person in the near future.
I took advantage of our CTLE for teaching specific professional development opportunities. I attended all of the brown bag lunches and information sessions on the new Canvas features. I also attended a training to learn more about MOD pressbooks, the Achieving the Dream learning series, several demonstrations to learn more about incorporating Visible Body into my classes, and many workshops to learn more about the best practices when using Packback. I learned a great deal this year, and I hope to learn even more next year.
Service
I believe I successfully met my service goals. I participated in department activities, represented my department at campus-wide training events, and worked towards maintaining and enhancing our relationships with neighboring school districts.
To support my department, I created the Blueprint Courses, worked on the department website, and helped with an OER book. I represented my department on campus by helping grade the Strategies Course submissions, leading trainings, participating in Peer Reviews, and being active on the eCourse committee.
To build relationships with neighboring school districts, I represented Glendale Community College on Deer Valley School District's CTE and Sport's Medicine Advisory Committees and served on Phoenix Union High School District's Advisory Council. We did not get to host any field trips or events on campus, but I had the opportunity to meet with representatives from Deer Valley Unified School District and Phoenix Union High School District to brainstorm ideas for virtual field trips and activities.
I would like to maintain similar service goals in the future. Getting involved in the department's activities helps me connect with future and current students, build relationships with colleagues, and remain current on the programs we are offering.
Instruction
I have found some successful strategies for engaging online students, but I would like to learn more. I really appreciate the student comments that said I was engaged, connected, and present, because I am definitely striving for that. I learned some great ideas in the Strategies for Teaching Online course, during the Brown Bag lunches, and while completing the Peer Review that I have implemented into my classes. I have created more opportunities for student choice, additional videos, and a better instructor introduction. I would like to continue this goal next year because the more strategies I have, the better my online classes will be.
When I went back into the classroom, it was challenging to complete the in-class activities, stations, models, rotations, and group work that I normally do because of the social distancing guidelines. For example, on the first day of class, I usually do a get to know you activity that includes dice with questions on them, bingo, and/or rotations. Those activities involve sharing supplies and a close proximity, so I had to make adjustments. I found solutions for engaging my students while social distancing including going outside, sanitizing supplies between uses, and restructuring activities that include rotations.
The COVID-19 pandemic gave me the opportunity to work with the instructors who were more resistant to utilizing Canvas. I had the opportunity to provide feedback to them in the Strategies for Teaching Online course which created productive dialogue. I have also been sharing the weekly emails from the eCourse committee which has helped me provide useful tips and open up the lines of communication. Now that Canvas is required, I hope to be able to provide my department with the support needed to utilize Canvas successfully.