Glad you found a nugget in my shared items — I've been using them to flag discussion worthy… Personally I decided to run an evening "FLEX" session on PLNs — hopefully early in the year when people are motivated to learn new things — it's not the most revolutionary concept in the world, but a knowledge of the tools that can be used to build a global network that inspires, motivates and educates every day is invaluable to me, and hopefully to my colleagues too. If I can communicate that MY professional development happens every day, not just in the large group sessions that they complain about, then I will have accomplished something.

Glad the edte.ch session helped moved things forward in your school. The iRequest feature looks marvellous! Am I right in thinking that it’s powered by the free Request Tracker program? It’s definitely something I’ll be looking at for next year. Thanks!

Digital Literacies co-ordinator sounds like a bit of an AHT job to me! For me the biggest problem, in my role, is lack of staff knowledge/effort to change that…..and thus getting the time to work with them. We have 1 staff meeting per 9 week cycle devoted to ICT, and I do a weekly tip in the bulletin to try and showcase new stuff in ICT but staff still are very slow on the uptake. For me it is about people taking more ownership for their professional development…..it’s about taking the time at home to read blogs, subscribe to stuff, and then try it out in the classroom etc.

And as you mentioned it – the edte.ch session was a bit of a defining moment for me in my role at school to be honest!
Following your input……
We’ve set up message boards, wikis and really moved the school on with

http://home.queensbridge.bham.sch.uk/iRequest/

which I’d recommend for anyone who has the ear of a headteacher at school and is interested in ‘digital literacy’.Nearly every member of staff have used it so far – even if it’s to make a moviemaker for them, scan some text-books, or just how to sign in to a wiki! The Leading Edge Day was great although we did send back those ‘free’ textpads from Russell Prue!!!

Good to hear from you again after the edte.ch session last autumn.

To be honest, it’s more me pushing for the role and my Head having the foresight to see it’s a good idea, rather than it coming from the school.

A few months ago I went proposing the position of ‘Digital Literacies Co-ordinator’ (which would tie in with my Ed.D.) but to get to that position, we need staff to be up-to-speed. Hence the position that’s been created for me next year!

I’m really interested in your new role as ‘e-learning staff tutor’. I think it’s a great idea. We’ve done something similar at http://www.queensbridge.bham.sch.uk since Jan when I went and, basically, moaned at the Head saying that I’m supposed to be ICTAC yet I teach 21/25 hrs – and have a dept. to run as well as a-level teaching at a neighbouring college – yet how am I meant to move staff forward? (And I’m now where near your level of expertise). We came up with a plan to employ someone who would be ICT skilled but not focused on hardware, and would be based in my classroom but would have outreach to the rest of the school. We fell lucky when we got someone to apply who was interesting in gaining experience in a school ahead of a possible PGCE.I set up an ‘iRequest’ systen whereby staff log their reguests online and the our new person responds to them – actions the task, goes into lesson to offer support etc. It has been a resounding success – and this is the key. Staff need to have the support in the same way we’d have someone to help with bulk photocopying for instance if we’re all to move forward…….I applaud your school for having the vision to put you in such a productive role….