Professional+Development

__**Qatar Academy, Doha, January 2011**__ **As part of a series of sessions of in school PD, I offered a workshop on the PYP Concepts. The session focussed on how we can use the concepts within the classroom to focus students questioning and thinking. This is the powerpoint that I used to direct discussion.**
 * [|Concepts Presentation.pptx]**

**Professional Development **

March 2011 Assessment in the PYP, IB Online Course September 2009-June 2011 Certificate in Technology Integration from State University of New York, Buffalo March 2010  Training the Trainer, Promethean Interactive Whiteboard Course, CNU, Doha September 2009 CIS Training for Evaluation Visits, The Sultan's School, Oman June 2009 Teaching ESL in the Mainstream Classroom, Doha March 2009 David Langford Quality Teaching and Learning Seminar, Doha September 2008 Science in the PYP, Qatar Academy, Doha May 2007 **Learning 2.008 Shanghai Conference ** on  Technology Integration, Shanghai October 2006 Making the PYP Happen, The Australian International School, Singapore January 2006 Using ICT in the teaching of Modern Foreign Languages, UK   November 2005 SATs Assessment for Year 2 and 3 teachers, UK    December 2005 Teaching Languages through Storytelling, UK    June 2005 Brain Gym and Movement, UK    March 2005 SAPERE Certificate in Philosophy for Children, UK    March 2004 Level 1 Certificate in Thinking Skills, UK    July 2000 Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults, UK

__**Books I am thinking about...**__

**A Whole New Mind by Daniel Pink.**  Interesting ideas and research discussing the left side of the brain and the right side of the brain. Many of the 'R directed' thinking skills he mentions e.g. empathy, creativity are the PYP attitudes which my students are developing and discussing daily within and beyond the classroom. It is reassuring to read his thoughts that these are the attributes they will need in the future in order to be successful. Linking these ideas to technology it is clear that the tools we are using in the classroom are also contributing to improved R-directed thinking and helping to develop the right side of the brain. We are using web 2.0 and other tech tools to develop many of the areas he mentions particularly design, story and symphony.

Three Cups of Tea by