There’s a lot of value in virtual learning opportunities. I’ve been in the conference planning world for a long time and well before COVID we had people who couldn’t attend the in-person event for a variety of reasons, including scheduling conflicts, financial barriers, and many others. Groups I’ve been a part of that plan conferences were always reluctant to use technology to make too much of the event available virtually out of concern that people wouldn’t attend the in-person event.
One thing I’m thankful for that we learned during COVID is how to make virtual professional learning work. And I hope we keep that. There are a lot of reasons that synchronous virtual learning hits the sweet spot for mathematics education leaders. Just last week, we had an NCSM Leadership Seminar with people from Alaska, Canada, California, Iowa, Massachusetts, Georgia, and parts in between. Since there were no travel costs and the registration fee was minimal, we were able to make this powerful learning accessible to more people. Technology can serve as an equalizer for people and removes barriers such as geography and the expense of travel.
That said, sometimes you just have to be in the room together. I experienced that firsthand at the conferences I’ve been attending in October and November. As a presenter, it’s much easier for me to read the room during an in-person session so that I can monitor and adjust accordingly. Good conference presentations are like good classroom lessons. You start with a script and key information then go where the learners take you. It’s hard to replicate that sense of monitoring in a Zoom room.
I’ve also gotten to observe some of the rituals that different national and state organizations have. What a privilege it is to see someone honored by their colleagues with a recognition award. Exhibit halls provide us with unique opportunities to build our professional networks and browse through resources that just might be what our teachers and students need. And of course, one of the main benefits of traveling to an in-person conference is the networking and relationship building that occurs after the
sessions stop for the day. If you really want to build your team, take them to a conference. Learn together during the day then go have fun together in the evenings. Those are the stories and experiences you bring home with you that draw your colleagues closer together.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer once said, “there’s not one path for everyone, but everyone deserves a path that’s right for them.” I believe that to be true for our students and teachers. I believe that to be true for teachers’ and mathematics leaders’ professional learning options. And as a mathematics education professional organization, NCSM has an obligation to provide multiple paths to professional learning so that our members and constituents can find the path that’s right for them.
Y’all be careful. We’ll touch base again in December.
Paul
