Potty PD - For the Discerning Educator

This week, the Shake Up Learning podcast (if you're not subscribed, you should be) talked about something called Potty PD. It's basically little "nuggets" of professional development that can be easily picked up in a few minutes from your captive audience.

Check out the current five issues of The Squatter that have been produced thus far this year.

• The Squatter 1 - Keyboard Shortcuts
• The Squatter 2 - Google Tools
• The Squatter 3 - Google Jamboard
• The Squatter 4 - Extensions
• The Squatter 5 - App Smashing
• The Squatter 6 - Quickies - shhh... this one won't post in my building until February.

Potty PD can be created using a variety of tools. My tool of choice is Canva. Canva's infographic templates offer conveniently sized layouts with color themes built in. At that point, it's just up to you to fill it with content.

Topics covered this year have included keyboard shortcuts, Chrome Extensions, Google Jamboard lesson ideas, App-Smashing, and general Google information.

I have plans for an overview of lesser known Microsoft tools (at least lesser known on our campus), tools to encourage student content creation, Google Classroom basics, and recommendations for a summer reading list.

Each issue of the squatter has a bitly link where teachers can download their own copy. Also, I encourage teachers to grab their phone and snap a picture of parts of The Squatter that are of particular interest to them. Of course, I always make myself available for help with integration of the ideas put forth in The Squatter.

How can the idea of Potty PD be of benefit at your work? Is someone in your building already doing something like this? If not, why don't you? You don't have to be a tech specialist to start something like this (I wasn't when I started The Squatter.)

Feel free to use and share the issues of The Squatter I shared above. Keep an eye on the website for more issues in the future. Drop me a comment if you have any questions or ideas for future volumes.

Merry Christmas. Happy Hanukkah. Joyous Kwanzaa. Happy Holidays. Happy New Year. Whatever you celebrate, be the reason somebody smiles today.