S_Knight_PD+Entry

Sandra A. Knight Professional Development CCT 693 Entry 1 I believe if there was an up and running concept then we will be better able to get the resources or make it easier to develop a proposal for help in gaining the recourses. We discussed and analyzed a little about how we can better utilize snack time as far as time management and organization. I thought this was handled quite thoroughly, we analyzed what is the actual problem was and how we can use the group to improve on the outcome. Everyone had an input and organized thoughts that can help us later in the semester as far as better utilization of snack time in class or in general. I think snack/break time is needed, classes can somewhat be long and exhausting, a quick stretch of the legs or conversation amongst classmates …the outcome from the break can also help with the production of the second half of the class lesson…refreshed lesson. I feel that they are short on some days because everyone stays in one general area and should maybe venture outside the class or get up and move around a bit more, but it is well worth the break time. To engage member participation has already been done with our group. Each member of the class seems to want to be directly involved in some sort of change action. I believe the more we survey and find additional resources, this will improve the snack and break time.

Sandra A. Knight Professional Development Entry 2 We worked a little more on the snack topic and survey questions relating to the snack development plan. It was great to receive feedback on what others in the classroom would like to have for snack and what they would like to see in the future regarding snack/break. One of the topics discussed was the difference between snack time and break time and how much should be taken regardless. This seems very important to note the differences between the two and the time allotment for both. I have participated in surveys in the past and I do find them an effective tool in gathering and evaluating research on what others would like to see or feel that a process can run better. My focus was on the input and output on what will work best for others and not the method on what we can improve on. If you think a little more about the discussion we had to have something established before we can actually improve on it, therefore I focused on what the group would like to have in place and what we can utilize in future class meetings and snack time. Sandra A. Knight Professional Development Entry 3

After reviewing the epicycles and after writing a short paragraph on what I need to focus on more in my project, I have pulled out the following three steps:

//Constituency Building// //Proposing & Planning// //Implementation of Action//

I was fortunate enough to get a great jump on this because of having been introduced to this topic last semester so I feel that I have accomplished a great deal about this professional development plan that I have been building.

To be curious and ask questions when discussing an assignment, to think beyond the scope of what is being discussed and be comfortable with expressing your ideas and conclusions…but to also think carefully about what you are asking and discussing as a group, this helps with the ability to be comfortable with giving answers and to be prepared to listen to another students opinions about your statements and be fair if another student disagrees with your comments or answers. I believe these are all aspects to a good lesson and a great example of critical & creative thinking.

Implementation of Action We can use the ability of teaching professional development to improve the way an organization thinks and help with the different styles of the way we all learn. We can maintain a common interest on an assignment or group project; this is done by asking the questions and allowing them to give their own personnel answer, whether it is right or wrong. I believe allowing ”expression” is the best way and style of teaching professional development.

Sandra A. Knight Professional Development Entry 5 The evaluation clock was probably one of the hardest series of questions that I had to answer regarding my project path. I mean it did ask some important questions but I have been asking them myself over and over again and I am trying to think of different answers as opposed to the same ones all the time. I have always thought about the underlying questions in my project and thought about the bigger picture about where I can go with his and how far I can take it up the “decision” ladder. Being able to have the resources in order to deal with these situations are beneficial. Some people today still open a book and look for a reference on a particular issue. I believe that you need to react with quickness in making some decisions, for example: the decision could be to meet at a later time to discuss the situation further which would allow you to better prepare in dealing with the situation. One thing I have noticed working in Administration, people are quick to note something that was said but maybe not in that particular manner. Things always have a way of turning around. Make sure you ask, inquire, and then ask again. These are important dispositions…“Decisions have short term and long term impact”. Sandra Knight Professional Development Entry 6 I conducted my first presentation for this semester’s class and I had a lot of time to think about it…I kept thinking that something was and is not working and why I am stuck on writing this paper revising it so many times with so many different ideas. I am tired of revising and I am tired of writing and then I had an idea, I started thinking about the people who will have to read it. I thought how exhausting it could be to read a twenty page paper, so I decided to develop a web site that can provide a visual as well as the readings so that the picture can become more holistic. I thought about a title and a path to professional development that can help the user become more familiar with my plan and help the reader know that there are specific professional development opportunities that can be available to suit their needs. I also thought about the manager and having the manager be involved by helping the employee make the correct decision about the classes/courses that may also be beneficial to their development needs. They will share joint access but the manager having a log-on ID to register the employee for classes. This would cause the process, whatever it may be to be extended into a more complex conversation or situation by them both working together. I plan to take a look further into the development of this web site and use it as my resource tool; there is a link on the site that connects directly to my email for feedback on the site and other potential opportunities.