The Learn Implement Share
Past Participants
Facebook Group
(What's it all about)

If you are a past participant of a Learn Implement Share online course (or of a Richard Andrew online course when it was run my TTA) then this message is for you.

In a nutshell ... 

In May 2018 I created a closed Facebook group for past participants of my online courses. (It replaced the newsletter which, for many reasons, needed to go.)

Why the Facebook Group? 
I wanted a way to stay in touch with past participants of all the courses.
  • So I can easily update people on information related to the courses.
  • So that some of the excellent discussions which occurred in the courses could continue.
  • So that people who began implementing - strategies, ideas and/or technology - as a result of their course could continue sharing their wins and pose questions.

The new FB group name is: 'learn implement share participants group' 
(type LISPastParticipants into the FB search window - or click the button)

More info please ...

Q1) Will there be a group for each course? 
No - we just need one group. Teachers who have completed the 'All teachers engagement course' course, for example, may not be interested in GeoGebra-related posts but will be interested in the flipped/blended posts, much of the chatter from the 'Maths-Engagement' participants and all posts re the 'General-Engagement' course. Maths teachers should find nearly all posts relevant. i.e. Most members will be interested in most posts. 

Q2) What's the difference between LISPastParticipants and the Learn Implement Share FB Page?
The Learn Implement Share FB Page is designed for people who want to connect with Learn Implement Share in a general way. Most followers are not past participants. I post 2-3 times per week to the LIS page - mostly articles that I suspect will interest teachers.

The LISPastParticipants Facebook group, on the other hand, will contain information relevant only to the ideas, strategies and technology specific to the Learn Implement Share courses. Hopefully, it will contain lots of input from participants.

For example, the main thrusts of Learn Implement Share courses are: 
1. Student engagement
2. Highly structured, student-centred approaches (containing explicit teaching)
3. (for maths) Conceptual approaches which incorporate the teaching of procedures.
(Note that the use of GeoGebra and flipped/blended learning fit into the above three categories.)
Therefore, the LISPastParticipants FB Group will contain posts which centre on the above three key areas. Specifically, it will be awesome to have teachers continue to post their wins and struggles as they continue to implement course-inspired ideas, strategies and tech. 

Q3) Why create yet another Facebook group - we already have our state-based FB education groups to be a part of?
Good question. The most education-based FB groups are excellent for syllabus-based questions and specifics on aspects of various topics for NSW teachers. However, LISPastParticipants will be a community where past participants of Learn Implement Share courses can keep discussions alive based on the ideas, strategies and technology presented in the courses.

Q4) Is the group closed or open? 
Closed. It is only for teachers who have completed LIS courses.

Q5) How do I join? 
Click the link LISPastParticipants and request to join.

Q5) I despise the whole idea of Facebook and do not have an account. What about me? 
Believe me when I say 'I hear you'. I too, was vehemently against the idea. Interestingly, what got me into having a Facebook account in the first place was a Facebook Group - I was doing some kind of technology course and their way of commenting between each other was to use a dedicated Facebook group. I learned that I could have an account ONLY for that group. (But now I need one because I have a business!) So ... your choice. 

Thanks for reading,
Richard

The new FB group: LISPastParticipants
The LIS FB Page: Learn Implement Share FB Page