Back in 2015, I shared a post on my action plan after the 2015 IB Conference in Macau.
After returning from the 2019 IB Conference in Abu Dhabi I thought about my conference preparations and takeaways.
When the conference schedule became available, I started my pre conference routine. I read through the plenary descriptions and then worked my way through the breakout session descriptions, highlighting possible options. I created a shared doc for my colleagues and I to record the session themes, notes and links from the presenters and our connections to ISH. This is then available to all of our staff back at school.
I also started following the conference hashtag, #IBAD2019, and any of the presenters on Twitter.
During the conference I try to wakelet tweets from different sessions so that I can share with others and refer back to myself.
Here is a wakelet for a few of the Plenary speakers from #IBAD2019
Sir Clive Woodward
Michael Furdyk
Some presenters also share their sessions slides and other resources. These are also collected and shared in the Google Doc for our staff to access.
Engaging in discussions with other educators during breaks, lunches and dinners is also an important element to the conference experience. Listening to others share, asking questions, and sharing your experiences allow us to connect and grow in our practice. You are also likely to reconnect with previous colleagues and/or meet face-to-face with Twitter connections for the first time!
I was lucky enough to meet-up with @rozzuell for the first time after moderating #pypchat together for a few years.
Upon returning to school after the conference,…….
– I have had conversations with colleagues on the conference notes I shared
-Connected with connections made at the conference
– I scheduled an additional checkin with our Exhibition Team to further discuss the spaces we have available to work with for staging
– Ensured teachers have access to PYP Resources like the PYP Playlist and Podcasts
-Shared book titles with our Leadership Team to consider adding to our Professional Development collection
-Continue discussing our Inclusion Policy with our Individualised Learning Coordinator after her sessions at the conference
How do you make the most out of your professional development opportunities?