Building a Virtual Community: Connecting and Collaborating Online
I’ve attended virtual professional development that is like listening to an episode of a podcast: I’m anonymous and unseen, the conversation is one-sided, and the presentation is more generic than it is specific to my role and my needs.
I bet this has happened to you, too.
In an increasingly connected world, one of the greatest advantages we have is being able to learn from someone that we might never have had access to in person. But it’s hard to learn and apply that learning to our practice when attending a session is passive, anonymous, and undifferentiated.
At the Stern Center for Language and Learning, we take both parts of our name seriously – language and learning. Our professional development offerings are all centered on the science of learning and how adults learn best. While our offerings are virtual, they have a seminar vibe over a podcast vibe.
When you sign up for one of our professional learning sessions, you can expect the following, whether you register for a ninety-minute workshop or a graduate-level course:
- Direct access to the presenter. No more using the Q&A feature and hoping that your question gets picked – we encourage you to come off mute and vocalize your question when it occurs.
- Differentiation. We know everyone’s job is a little bit different, even when our job titles are the same. We honor those similarities and differences and try to make sure the content of our sessions is as meaningful to your role as possible.
- Interactivity. Learning is a participation sport! We know the best, most effective learning prioritizes participation and practice. You can expect opportunities for both, even in our asynchronous offerings.
- Virtual community. We prioritize building relationships and making sure everyone feels seen and heard, and that you have opportunities to connect with one another. We know that cross-pollination of ideas, activities, and practices is one of the best parts of in-person professional learning, so we recreate that in our virtual PD.
As you think about the types of professional development you’ll spend your limited time on this summer and in the upcoming school year, I urge you to invest in yourself as a lifelong learner. Sign up for one of our workshops or courses for the convenience of virtual learning while still experiencing a human touch.
Happy learning,
Leigh Buettler
