Professional Development: Live and In-Person
How do you decide what kind of professional development (PD) you provide or receive?
by Tracey West
As I networked with colleagues and participated in countless discussions about inclusion, young children, professional development, and funding at last week’s Inclusion Institute, I felt re-energized and excited. I was fortunate, since the conference was held in my hometown of Chapel Hill, N.C., I didn’t have far to travel.
Not everyone is lucky enough to have an event like this in their backyard. With the economy forcing agencies to impose budget cuts and travel restrictions, attending conferences has become something of a luxury. “Virtual” presentations or webinars have become a useful medium for providing quality information for free, but as I reflected on the “live” conference, I realized how much I would miss the connections, the shared vision, the energy generated by a dedicated, knowledgeable group of people who share a similar goal.
Community Question
Is it possible to create this same sense of community through online conferences and meetings? Any good examples out there? Thoughts/comments?
Interesting Post