CPD Tracker v0.4
So, I’m looking at qualifying for RSci/CSciTeach. Which means I had to look at the CPD I’ve done over the past few years. Which is lots:
- stuff in school
- two teachmeets
- 2012 ASE Conference
- #SciTeachJC (often)
- #asechat (sometimes)
- #ukedchat (occasionally)
- AQA stakeholder meeting
- watching/listening to science stuff (Thank you, iPlayer)
- reading science books
- reading teaching books
- and, you know, writing this blog.
The problem is, I’m not particular organised about it. I mean, I do it. I take notes on it, usually on Evernote. But I don’t keep track of it very well. So I started to think, why not use a spreadsheet?
- It’s boring.
- It’s slow.
- Running it out of the cloud is a pain at work.
- It’s not easily mobile.
Which is where Google Forms come in. This links quick questions to an automatically updated spreadsheet. Answer the questions in a tea break, and like magic, the CPD is listed. You can then edit the entry to add details, notes, or links to further information.
So here’s a draft version, tweaked after some suggestions from work colleagues and @ViciaScience (thanks, Richard!). I’ve put in a couple of sample lines, to show how it works. You can see the form here, and the spreadsheet here. I’m quite pleased with the standards section; simply tick the standards this CPD is relevant to and they’ll show up, colourcoded in the spreadsheet. (There’s a second sheet with a list of the standards.)
If you want to copy it, feel free – obviously you’ll need to have a Google account. It would be easy to produce a similar spreadsheet in Excel or whatever, but it wouldn’t have the form option.
To do:
- it would be nice if the timestamp date was automatically added to the ‘date’ column’ if the question isn’t answered.
- the comments don’t show when you print – should I have the data copied to another sheet for more detailed evidence?
- It’s not properly formatted to print on A4.
- A communal version, with a column for identifier (email address? staff code?) could be used to collate and share CPD ideas, with relevant links and reflection, between any chosen group of teachers, locally or virtually.
- I’m playing with an NQT version, to show how they are collecting evidence to meet the standards – this will be blogged sooner rather than later. If there’s interest.
What else have I missed?
Filed under: CPD, organisation, teaching, web | 4 Comments
Tags: Collaborative Professional Development, Evernote, Google, Spreadsheet
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Great stuff Ian, I’ll take a copy and see how I get on with it. It’s a nice idea, and I’m already thinking abouht ow I can use google forms in doing other regular data tasks in school. I’ll let you know if I come up with anything fruitful.
Hi Ian,
It’s a really good idea! I’d like to suggest a few tweaks to make this even more powerful. Firstly, it would be great if people start filling in this form while they are deciding their next piece of CPD. At that point you could also ask “Which pupils do I hope will benefit from this piece of CPD?”, “What previous understanding and experience do I have in this area?”.
After the CPD you can then add to your excellent action-planning question: “Where can I go to get further information on this area, and who can support me?”, and “After three months, how much impact are these new ideas having on my pupils’ learning?”
David, thanks for the comment. When I was building the form I was trying to limit it to a few minutes. Maybe I should consider a detailed sheet and a summary?
Some good thoughts – thanks!
did you remember to add the Science Learning Centre stuff? Am sure you did…