Recently I received an email message that said:

Just wanted to say thank you for IAE. I have decided to study your articles and research as my own professional development this summer. Enjoy the brain/math connection.

I really appreciate such feedback, and it left a warm glow in my heart. The message is an example of the best of intrinsic motivation.

Similarly, I really appreciate it when readers take the time to add Comments to my IAE Blog entries. This is a way for them to share their ideas with the world.

What You Can Do

The short quoted email message given above suggests the following general question. I wonder what percentage of inservice teachers plan professional development as a part of their summer vacation, work, and studies? I suspect a relatively large number of inservice teachers spend part of their summer enhancing their teaching-related knowledge and skills. You are all to be congratulated!

My strongly held belief is that every inservice teacher should develop a personal plan of study for keeping up and for advancing one's knowledge and skills as a teacher. Set aside some time each day—even as little as five minutes —which you devote to learning some new content, pedagogy, and/or assessment ideas relevant to your specific interests and needs. The IAE Blogs provide examples of a five-minute personal professional growth education articles.

Suggested Readings from IAE and Other Publications

You can use Google to search all of the IAE publications. Click here to begin. Then click in the IAE Search box that is provided, insert your search terms, and click on the Search button.

Click here to search the entire collection of IAE Blog entries.

Here are some examples of publications that might interest you.

The Future of IBM's Watson Computer System. See http://i-a-e.org/iae-blog/the-future-of-ibms-watson-computer-system.html. 

As computers get smarter and smarter, what should we be teaching to our students?

Computer Technology Is Only One of Many Technologies. See http://i-a-e.org/iae-blog/computer-technology-is-only-one-of-many-technologies.html.

Technology is a routine part of our lives. What do you want your students to know about how technology is affecting their lives? How does technology tie in with the discipline(s) you teach? How is technology changing our world and the possible futures your students may encounter? 

The Pace of  Technological Change. See http://i-a-e.org/iae-blog/the-pace-of-technological-change.html.

I strongly believe that our educational system should be placing more emphasis on students learning to learn and taking increased responsibility for their own education. They need to learn to deal with the rapid pace of technological change that is now part of our world. This pace of change is increasing!

IAE