Teacher's Handbook UAE 2016-2017 2016-2017 | Page 8

CPD Options Stay on top of your professional development while in the UAE By Kevin Simpson empower educators to support the success of each learner. This group is planning a MENA Teacher Summit during 7-8 October in Dubai. http://menateachersummit.com/ PLN PLN stands for Professional Learning Network (also referred to as Personal or Personal ized Learning Network). This is a combination of social media and technology to communicate, collaborate and create with colleagues anywhere at any time. W elcome to the United Arab Emirates! We are excited that you will be part of an international cadre of teachers from around the world. You will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience, which we are sure will benefit your school, colleagues, families and most importantly your students. In the UAE we are working towards building a first-rate education system. The aim is to have our students ranked among the best in the world and is focused on high quality teaching, learning and leadership from early years to university. Please make sure you read and are aware of the UAE Vision 2021 National Agenda goals found here https://www.vision2021.ae/ en/national-priority-areas/first-rateeducation-system. Teach Middle East Magazine Teach Middle East Magazine is the premier magazine for educators and the entire education sector in the Middle East and beyond. Their vision is to equip educators with the materials and tools to function optimally in and out of the classroom. http://teachmiddleeastmag.com/ UAE Learning Network The UAE Learning 6 | 2016 - 2017 | Network was launched to bring together educators from across and within the Emirates. The website caters to educators in the broadest sense by provoking discussion, sharing the latest news about teaching and learning, curriculum and by providing relevant up-to-date information about events in the UAE. www.uaeln.ae. SPARK Teach Meet A SPARK Teach Meet is a free informal CPD event where anyone can sign up to present or just observe and consists of 3 hours of turbo charged presentations full of innovative teaching and learning strategies. Speakers sign up to present for 2 or 7 minutes. It is a fantastic way for teachers to pick up great ideas. https://www.sparkevent.me/ GCC ASCD Connected Community A new Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) Connected Community has been set up to improve teaching and learning and connect education professionals throughout the MENA region to the resources provided by ASCD. Founded in 1943, ASCD is the global leader in developing and delivering innovative programs, products, and services that Some of the PLNs in the region use hashtags on Twitter such as #edchatmena #edchat #edtech. We hope you will share resources with other educators at your school and in the region. What Works Dubai What Works' is an event based on the concept of appreciative inquiry, which states that if we ask positive questions, we will receive positive answers. When we concentrate on the positive, we create more and more positivity and good practice. When we do this, we can transform teaching and learning in a way that becomes self-nourishing and sustainable. These events are held by KHDA Dubai and are held at various times throughout the year and should not be missed. Visit www.whatworks.ae for more information. GESS Dubai GESS Dubai is the largest education exhibition and CPD event held annually in this region. It brings together all the movers and shakers in education from across the region and the world. This academic year the event is due to take place on March 14-16, 2017 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Keep an eye out for more details on this event by visiting http://www.gessdubai.com/ So what are your learning goals for this year? We encourage and challenge you to join one or more of these groups above. http://www.knowdoservelearn.org