Q. How do you develop and maintain expertise on current trends in instructional technology, design and information literacy?
A. Through memberships in Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL), Association of Supervision & Curriculum Development (ASCD), Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented (TAGT), American Library Association (ALA), and Texas Computer Educator Association (TCEA) - as well as regular perusal of materials on Teaching Channel, Edutopia, and in trade and academic journals and relevant literature - I strive to maintain a current, timely and diverse personal reference library and toolkit on learning theories, instructional practices, design, technologies and information literacy as well as current trends in instructional coaching and instructor/teacher preparation. As time permits, I participate in webcasts from ALA, ACRL, ASCD, and TCEA's Lunch & Learn sessions, as well as various podcasts and instructional and leadership development audio books.
In addition to these sources, I also participate in various ALA national and Texas' state-wide listserv of librarians and various teacher forums on social media to share experiences and learn from others. On campus, I pursue connections with instructional colleagues from various disciplines to build and participate in an ad-hoc professional learning community. Similarly, I have maintained a moderated PK-20 teacher group on Facebook since 2013, the purpose of which is to provide a professional learning platform to share information on current trends, strategies, research and changes in instructional practices.
Collaboration with colleagues also provides a valuable means for remaining connected and current on trends and various forms of experiential growth.