Finding Synergy in Sharing

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This week I have been reminded of the power of community. I had the opportunity to travel the western part of North Carolina in roadshow style professional development workshops centered around the NC Digital Learning Competencies. There were 30-35 presenters, Digital Learning Competencies Ambassadors, who traveled from site to site, city to city daily “sharing the good news” about best practices in teaching and learning, integrating instructional technology, and general education topics. At every stop we had, the place was filled with excitement as around 300-400 educators from that region filled the gyms, auditoriums, and lunch rooms with an expectation of learning new things, exploring new #EdTech tools, and connecting with like-minded professionals. My fellow presenters are 100% the greatest. We've leaned on each other, had many meals together, and truly become a community. ​

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The theme of the DLC summer workshops is "The Digital Learning Competencies: For Educators, by Educators." It's a funny thing when teachers get together... there is always this underlying current of sharing and collaboration that flows like a river.  It happens so naturally. One person shares an idea, teaching method, or new tool they've used. Another person says, "Yes, I've heard of that." Then the person sitting next to them says, "That is exactly what I was looking for to use in my class!" Being in that environment brings life to everyone who is in it because there is no competition to be better than or know more than the people around you. It's just about growth; student growth, professional growth, and the growth of your learning community. One of my favorite words is synergy which means the interaction of multiple elements that, when combined, produce a total effect greater than the sum of the individual elements or contributions. That is what experiences like this are for me; multiple points of expertise coming together for the good and benefit of all.  ​

Personally, I learned so much from the people I was presenting with and even more from the people that came to my sessions. It is a beautiful thing when people can share thoughts and ideas openly. It is a cornerstone of community and something that we need to see and practice more in education. There is an old saying, "There is strength in numbers" and I agree. However, I'd also like to add that there is power in unity. That is the mindset and goal of meaningful professional learning. George Couros often quotes Dave Weinberger in saying, "The smartest person in the room, is the room." That is so true.  Working on projects like this one with so many talented people amplifies that for me. Professional learning is about lifting the voices of others around us up and supporting them by giving them space to speak about what they are experts in and are passionate about. When we give space to others to share their stories, we make space for our own. I want to see more of that. I want to be a part of that more often.

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As we begin our second round of the DLC roadshow next week, I can't wait to continue the learning from and connecting with others who love education as much as me.
​Let's keep learning together, and finding synergy in sharing. ​​