#dirkin time

[badlydrawn-brostrider]

Can I assume that you're the source of all these rogue Dirk splinters running around? Or at the very least, the containment? Seriously, what the fuck is up with those, bro. I knew Dirk had a thing for making more of himself, but this many? Dude has a serious problem.

@notrenderedhal

BRO: What can I say, my apartment has become the resident Dirk zone. Can't exactly control where everybody comes 'n goes, kid. The splinters all just decided my apartment was an awesome meetin' place, apparently.

BRO: Dunno what makes my place the new biggest hit but it ain't my fault. Mini just out there makin' more splinters and leavin' me to clean up the mess.

BRO: I'm gonna have to start keepin' notes on all the Hal's I meet, Jesus. You're Hal number 4 I think? Goddamn, I'm gonna start losin' track of all y'all. Two with bodies 'n two without, should I be sensin' some kinda pattern?

[tizeline]

Oh boy, at this point I feel that the truth is gonna chew Mikey hard after discovering they are actually the bad guys. Side note: I know Raph and Mikey are gonna struggle at first to accept the truth and even more to accept that Splinter and April aren't evil… but when and how is gonna Mikey really START to accept this? because I feel theres more chances with Raph than with Mikey

Okay, so this is what I've worked out so far regarding Mikey's redemption arc-

Like in canon, after the season 1 finale and Draxum gets fucked up by The Dark Armor and then also becomes wanted in The Hidden City, he (plus his kids) ends up finding and settling down in that apartment in April's building (the idea of them accidentally becoming April's neighbours is hilarious so I'm keeping that lmao). Then Leo enters his Rebellious Teen Arc and runs off to hang out with Donnie and April most of the time, eventually he's joined by Raph too so then it's mostly just Mikey and Draxum brooding in their apartment all day. It's during this time that Draxum spends some time self-reflecting and eventually decides to abandon their plans of world domination, much to Mikey's dismay who is still very much in the mood to end humanity.

It's hard pinpointing an exact starting point of Mikey realizing that he's been in the wrong, deep down I think he already know this, but he'll be damned if he actually aknowledges it. But it's around this part of the story that things start turning around for Mikey. Because when Draxum announces that it's over and they're done with trying to take over the world, Mikey gets pretty pissed about it and decides that he's ALSO gonna go all Rebellious Teenager on them all! See how they like THAT! BTW Mikey's "Rebellious" Teen Arc mostly includes him spending more time sulking outside than in the apartment as he previously did, and acting a bit more cranky towards Draxum, but he still returns home at a reasonable time in the evening and in general doesn't do anything he isn't allowed to do. He's not very good at being a bad kid haha. (If anything, Draxum thinks it's good that Mikey spends some time outside)

I've mentioned before that I like the idea of introducing Mondo Gecko and Woody Dirkins into the story and that they could help him in his character development and expand his world view (also godammit Mikey needs some friends aside from his brothers) So anyway, it's when Mikey starts spending time outside on his own that he meets and, after some time, befriends both of them. I don't have the details figured out here, but I'm thinking that he first gets to know Mondo considering he's a yōkai/mutant (haven't decided which). Mondo would already be friends with Woody which is how Mikey later meets him, when Mondo introduces them to each other. Mikey is obviously Skeptical at first, but Woody gives him free pizza so Mikey is all like "okay, maybe he sucks slightly less than other humans". All of this is to say, Woody is probably what leads to Mikey actually confronting the fact that he MIGHT be wrong about some things.

It's still very much a gradual change. It's around the end of season 2 that the Draxum family all reconcile with each other, and while Mikey is still not very fond of the Hamatos (especially Donnie lol) or humans, he doesn't wish for their demise anymore. Then it's some time after the events of the movie that Mikey fully commits himself to not judge people merely on them being humans or yōkai.

[kudosmyhero]

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (IDW) #15: Blood Brothers - part 1

Read Date: September 21, 2022 Cover Date: October 2012 ● Writer: Kevin Eastman ◦ Tom Waltz ● Art: Andy Kuhn ● Colorist: Ronda Pattison ● Letterer: Shawn Lee ● Editor: Bobby Curnow ●

Synopsis: The issue begins with a flashback to fourteen months prior to the current events in the ongoing series. At StockGen Specimen 6 (a snapping turtle) is being injected with mutagen derived from the contaminated version present in Old Hob's blood. Chet Allen and Lindsey Baker are conducting the experiment. By one month in to the experiment the turtle had more than doubled in size, and he was primed to begin psychological conditioning. By five months in it is strong enough to take on a whole squadron of men. Its physical development has been progressing much faster than its mental development, making controlling it difficult. Two weeks before current series events, it escaped from StockGen. The previous night, Michelangelo was getting pizza from Woody Dirkins. The two talk for a few minutes before Mikey leaves and they agree to meet at the same time the next night. After Mikey leaves, Woody is attacked by the escaped StockGen specimen, trained to hunt down the Turtles. Currently, the Turtles are investigating the scene of an attack. Witnesses report a "big, green lizard" and "deadly force authorized". Leonardo says they need to hurry up and found another underground hideout before they get blamed for the attacks.

The Turtles make their way to check out a potential hideout found by Donatello and April, and Raphael reminds him they're on a tight schedule because he has to make it to Casey's first ice hockey game on time. On the way the Turtles talk about Splinter's "Destroy Shredder Manifesto", wherein he said while the Shredder lives they will never have peace. Michelangelo says he went by the pizza shop earlier but Woody wasn't there, meaning the Turtles would have to eat Splinter's salty vegetables and rice for dinner.

Back at the Turtle's current hideout (April's parents' old antique shop), Splinter is cooking salty vegetables and rice. He asks Casey to turn the television on so he can watch his stories. But when Casey turns the TV on, the news is reporting the series of attacks going on in the city (including the one on Woody at Rupert's Pizzeria), deemed to be the work of a vandal called "Slash" by the local media. Just then April comes in, telling Casey and Splinter to come look at her van. April's van had been attacked by Slash. April deduces Slash to be the escaped specimen from StockGen.

While the Turtles are on their way to check out the new hideout they stop to interrupt a mugging, and they are twice referred to as "Slash monsters", emphasizing the need for them to find a safer hideout to avoid a case of mistaken identity. As they flee scene after disposing of the thugs, Slash arrives at the scene, hot on their trail. He catches a glimpse of them and tears of part of one of the thugs' shirts, fashioning himself a black bandana like the other Turtles'. The Turtles arrive at the potential hideout, an abandoned church with a nuclear fallout shelter underneath. The Turtles are checking out the dark bunker with flashlights and decide the place is perfect when Slash arrives. Once inside he attacks. He eventually knocks out Donatello and Raphael and is about to take out Leonardo.

(https://turtlepedia.fandom.com/wiki/Blood_Brothers,_part_1)

Fan Art: LEONARDO goodbye, my brothers… greyscale by DeadPea

[thatocelot]

it's Dirkin' time!

Your free to give me 20 bucks for making me read this with my special eyes.

[trailnapped]

i just gotta go. but i'll be back. i love you. - concept , mentor sue soon after they reach the capitol

prompts from the hunger games

flashes of cheering faces and cameras replay in her brain. the capitol citizens eye her up like a new toy at best, or a piece of meat at worst ... neither is very comforting, but this is not a time for consolation. now is the time for porcelain to turn to bronze, yet emily finds herself searching for her mother at every turn. it's not a good look; emily's fellow tributes will think her weak, an easy mark.

"where are you going?" she hates how her voice wavers. mama was her age, with child, when she entered the arena. it's time to be brave, just like her mother ... that's how everyone casts their eye on her now. sue dirkins's greatest moments! how will her daughter measure up as a tribute?

"mam— mom, wait," a quivering hand reaches out, longing for sue to take it, and give a reassuring squeeze. "... you're not going to let them take me anywhere else, are you?" it's a broken whisper, carried in its delivery by furrowed brows and wide eyes. "this is it? we stay here for now, right?"

[oc-secret-santa]

Dirkine Ward (Mi character's name. Not from any specific fandom)

He/him pronouns.

24 yrs old

He is very short, plump, and prim. His hair is long aed thick. Dirkine is straight, and single. He will often fidget.

As a child he had an extremely happy time. Dirkine's free time is taken up by 1950's Music.

Likes wearing a tulip in his hair.

He hates exercise. Dirkine is waiting for money.

Overall he is very sorrowful. However, he does have a friend. That friend is called Bisil.

(If this seems a bit janky, well, i started with a random generator thing. Then I expandod on it.)

Not all my characters are made like this though. Lol?

[undiscoveredclassics]

The Amelia was a wonderful time earlier this year! 

It was made even more special with the co-founder and Victress designer, Merrill Powell, in attendance. 

Here’s Merrill taking some time behind the wheel of Guy Dirkin’s 1954 Victress S1A, the "lost" Motor Trend Victress.

[gorgugplushie]

Animation meme community drama

[khassy-hood]

The inn I camped at the previous day was called the Broken Glacier. This fine inn has a bar downstairs! It’s run by Tobart Dirkins who had signature mugs for sale.

[rainbow-filmnerd]

Random Headcanons (5/?)

Time for more random headcanons! So what I do here is that I write down a list of headcanons I have based on some of my favorite fandoms/shows/movies. You can check out the first two of this series by searching “headcanons” on my blog!

This next set of headcanons is for… Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! Most of these are going to be for the 2012 series (again), but I have a bonus Rise of the TMNT headcanon in this list that’s worth sharing. Just like with the first list of TMNT headcanons, some of these are just my interpretations of the unfinished plot points from the main series, and some are just general headcanons. I even snuck in a few of my 2012 versions of past TMNT characters too, so shh.

A lot of the music the Turtles grew up listening to were popular in the 70s-90s, as well as some early 2000s tunes.

Shinigami’s “great-grandmother” is actually over 700 years old and uses a spell to keep her looking young and living long (this may or may not be a certain witch from the IDW comics. ;P)

Karai would sometimes like to hang out with April and Casey at the surface, all of which is outside of patrol. Shinigami also tags along in these hangout nights every once in a while.

Pigeon Pete departed from the Mighty Mutanimals, because he feels he’s not a worthy member or fighter of the team.

Because of their bond, Leo would still contact and communicate Splinter’s spirit through meditation, which helps him some in reaching “enlightenment”.

Every once in a while, Renet likes to drop by and visit Mikey but is mindful to not do anything that could affect his timeline (inspired by one of the 2012 comics of them hanging out).

Sometimes during their missions, the Turtles remind themselves of what they learned during their Vision Quest in the forest.

Mikey is good friends with a teenage boy who is not only one of April’s classmates, but works part-time at Antonio’s as a pizza delivery boy (meet my 2012 version of Woody Dirkins!)

Kirby has been reluctantly supportive of April being a kunoichi.

Sometime after watching Super Robo Mecha Force Five!, the Turtles began checking out other anime shows. While all mutually enjoy the superhero genre, they have their favorite types of anime to watch (Leo enjoys fantasy and adventure, Raph likes action, Donnie watches science fiction, and Mikey binges the light-hearted comedies).

Casey lost his father and sister during the Kraang invasion (I’m saying that they perished during the chaotic events of the s2 finale). Since returning to New York, he has been living at his friend’s place (hint hint, this features my take on Angel)

And for the bonus Rise of the TMNT headcanon....

  Leo enjoys listening to Lady Gaga music.

That’s what I got for now. Not sure when I’ll do the next part, but hopefully soon. :3

[badlydrawn-brostrider]

READ TAGS OF DIRK BRO HUG.... can we see bro melting into hug w dirk. falls to knees please im so soft for melty bro so true

==> BRO: Melt into your splinters arms.

[ It's not so much melting as it is you falling apart when he pulls you in. He's solid and warm and so small. He shouldn't have to see you like this. ]

[ He never complains, or really says anything period. Just holds you for what feels like forever until you finally feel normal again. It's embarrassing how quickly his shoulder grows damp. You don't deserve this. ]

[ . . . For just a little while, you think you don't care. ]

( @badlydrawn-dirkstrider )

[m3-mianbo]

Dirkine Ward character

I have a character genrator programme thing. This is one it came up with:

Dirkine Ward

He is very short, overweight and prim. His hair is long aed thick. Dirkine is straight, and single. He will often fidget.

As a child he had an extremely happy time. Dirkine's free time is taken up by 1950's Music.

He hates exercise. He is waiting for money.

Overall he is very sorrowful. However, he does have a friend. That friend is Bisil.

Thoughts?

[kudosmyhero]

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (IDW) #7: Enemies Old, Enemies New - part 2

Read Date: September 19, 2022 Cover Date: February 2012 ● Writer: Tom Waltz ● Art: Dan Duncan ● Colorist: Ronda Pattison ● Letterer: Shawn Lee ● Editor: Bobby Curnow ●

Synopsis: The armor-clad General Krang stands on a battlefield on the planet Neutrino. Looking over the devastation, he inquires as to the number of his troops killed in action. Captain Tragg informs him that six Stone Soldiers, some of the best from their spec-ops group, died during the ambush. Krang states that he wouldn’t call it an ambush, he’d call it a disaster, since only one Neutrino Resistance Fighter fell in the battle. Krang doesn’t like those numbers and orders Sergeant Granitor to teleport them back to Burnow Island on Earth.

Returning to his compound, Krang, who is revealed to be a small brain-monster in a robot body, asks Lieutenant Pogue if he’s reached Baxter Stockman yet. The Lieutenant replies that Stockman has yet to reply. Krang then orders the Lieutenant to prepare his plane, as he intends to pay a personal visit to Baxter Stockman in New York.

Meanwhile, in the alley behind Rupert’s Pizzeria, Mike won’t stop telling Raph about how awesome his human buddy Woody Dirkins is. The guy works at the pizza place and Mike met him while he was scrounging through the dumpster for chow. Woody introduced him to fresh pizza and Mike has been obsessed with the stuff and grateful to Woody ever since. Mike introduces Woody to Raph and picks up his order, trading fist bumps and annoying lingo with his equally dorky friend. Raph rolls his eyes.

Down in the sewer lair, Donatello and Leonardo discuss the realities of Splinter’s story; that they are reincarnations of dead Japanese children. Leo is willing to take Splinter at his word, but Don cannot trust something so fantastic-sounding. At the very least, he plans to investigate the legend of Oroku Saki and see what he can dig up on the Foot Clan. Leo, though, has been having dreams of his mother, Tang Shen, though he isn’t sure what to make of them. Suddenly, a horde of Mousers invade the lair, attacking the Turtles and Splinter.

At the New York Tech University gym, Casey continues with April’s self-defense courses. Finishing up, April tells Casey it’s time to hit the books. As they leave the gym, a romance appears to blossom.

Down in the lair, Old Hob reveals himself to be at the controls of the Mousers and is enjoying making the Turtles and Splinter scurry for their lives. The Mousers are overwhelming, so Splinter tells his sons to retreat. Hob isn’t having that, though, and orders the Mousers to collapse the ceiling on his foes.

At Baxter’s posh apartment, he receives a surprise visit from General Krang and his Stone Soldiers. Krang is furious that a year has passed and he still has not received the super soldier mutagen or psychotropic drug that he commissioned Stockman to create for him, though he’s supplied him with the necessary ooze components to get the work done. Stockman says that he’s fulfilled his end of the terrapin exo-armor experiment, citing the Stone Soldiers as proof of his success, then uses the break-in at his lab as an excuse for the delay. Krang refuses to accept any excuses, so Stockman assures him that he’s undertaking initiatives to retrieve the lost psychotropic drug as they speak.

As they near the lair, Mike and Raph see the destruction and hear Leo curse. Dropping the food and ripping off their disguises, they run to the rescue as Leo calls for them. Don and Splinter are down and Leo is standing alone against a horde of Mousers.

(https://turtlepedia.fandom.com/wiki/Enemies_Old,_Enemies_New,_part_2)

Fan Art: Krang by BrendanCorris

[wot-tidbits]

TIDBITS AND FUN № 331

BRANDON SANDERSON

SPOILER

A MEMORY OF LIGHT

 The whole fandom has been buzzing all day abut this new revelation by Brandon about the ending of AMOL.

SOURCE

Dirkinator

“So, Rand did die but he was reborn into Moridin's body? Again, I was confused by the ending because he had the saa and so how did Cadsuane recognize him/how would any of them recognize him? Where is he going?”

I made a post a while ago about this. Casting balefire requires the soul of a channeler to wield it, like a man holding a sword. (With possibly the exception of terangreal that create balefire) When their beams crossed, it became one balefire with two wielders. This paradox essentially linked them.

Balefire removes objects from the pattern, but... it cannot remove other balefire. Balefire isnt an object. Balefire is cast and directed by one person, usually, so it's linked to their intentions, their soul perhaps. The balefire that crossed paths became one beam, as it cannot remove itself from the pattern. One beam, linking two souls as it's wielder. That is why they were linked. As for the body swap...

It's pretty clearly shown that what happens to moridin, Rand feels, and vice versa. I think this is because balefire, by its nature, must have a soul directing it, and it cant differentiate between one person or the other, so they become merged. Both were in control of the beam, so for a split moment, they were one.

This lead to the very strange phenomena of Rand experiencing Moridins physical experiences. So think about that: what Rands individual body experiences, Moridins soul, awareness, whatever you want to call it, Moridins soul experiences. Including death. Moridin died, as Rands body died, and Rand lived, as Moridins body lived.

Basically, the body swap had already started to happen the moment the beams crossed, and when rand "died" it was completed

TLDR: they had already swapped bodies. The moment the balefire beams crossed. Rand bodily death killed Moridins soul, and Moridins body surviving allowed Rand soul to live. "To live you must die"

 BRANDON SANDERSON:

Disclaimer: RJ wrote this sequence, not me, and he didn't always leave great explanations of why he wrote what he wrote. (He was focused on getting me the information to write scenes he hadn't had time to write.) However, to the best of my recollection, what you outlined here is basically what RJ intended--though with a little tweak to the second part. I believe in the notes (or it could have just been Harriet relating it to me) he said, "The soul that wanted to live found the body that wanted to live, and the soul that wanted to die didn't go to the effort." (Or something to that effect.)

BRANDON SANDERSON

What is the big secret about one of the characters Brandon keeps teasing, but says he's not allowed to speak about until the tenth anniversary of AMoL has passed? (I did tell Rafe this one, so he has the info just in case. It's not going to be earth shattering, but I think you'll all find it a curious tidbit about the ending.)

BRANDON SANDERSON

I have to RAFO any questions about it, regardless of the details, but I will say that I've seen people theorizing along the correct lines--so the big secret won't surprise everyone. (But will validate some people.)

crovax33

The last battle dramatically changed the way magic worked, and the pipe lighting was meant to be an introduction to the new phase of magic in the Outrigger (I think that was the name of them) novels planned after the Wheel of Time. The new 'phase' of magic seemed like a softer magic system, where magic could be cast more with pure will than weaving of Saidin/Saidar.

BRANDON SANDERSON

This is Harriet's interpretation, but she notes it was not confirmed by Mr. Jordan. It's just what she felt in reading the scene. She usually says something along the lines of, "I think my husband did it to indicate the next age would be as different from the third age as the third age was from the age of legends."

[somar78]

Byers SR100 – In 1957 Road & Track Magazine Called This “The Most Beautiful Car In The World”

In 1957 John Bond, the editor and owner of Road & Track Magazine, published a cover story on the Byers SR100 calling it the “World’s Most Beautiful Sports Car”.

In fact, Bond liked the SR100 so much he bought a body and built his own from scratch; this would be the only car he would build from the ground up in his life and it’s a testament to just how much he loved the Byers design.

The Byers SR100

The 1950s America was the world leader in fibreglass kit car design and construction. The composite material must have seemed like a gift from the heavens, allowing small scale car manufacturers to create beautiful, complex body designs without needing to handcraft each car from aluminum alloy or steel – a huge time saver.

One of the leading lights of this fibreglass car movement was John Byers. He had previously teamed up with Dick Jones to create and build the 1953 Meteor SR1 sports car but when Jones moved interstate Byers set up on his own. He improved the design and called it the Byers SR100, each body was made of hand-laid fibreglass and designed to fit a 100 inch wheelbase.

Customers who bought a Byers SR100 body would typically either build or source their own drive train, chassis, and running gear, finishing the car off in their own garage.

The SR100 and the SR1 on which it was based were designed to accommodate the engine in a front-mid engine configuration allowing for optimal weight distribution. The fibreglass body tipped the scales at just 125 lbs, and the completed car would typically weigh in at a little over 2,000 lbs and be fitted with a V8 capable of 200+ hp and over 200 ft lbs of torque.

By the standards of the 1950s the performance was astonishing, so it’s little wonder that John Bond of Road & Track Magazine wanted to build his own. By the end of production just 25 or so examples of the SR100 body had been sold; Kellison would take over production until 1965 and sell another 25 bodies.

It’s not known exactly how many SR100s have survived to the modern day, but the good news is that you can buy a brand new Byers SR100 body from the team at Undiscovered Classics that fits neatly onto a Corvette C3 chassis that’s been extended slightly to 100 inches.

The 1956 Byers SR100 Shown Here

This car is one of the original survivors from the 1950s – interestingly it’s also an award winner at the Amelia Island Concours. Construction of this car started in 1957 by two friends in Madison, Wisconsin. The unfinished car was sold on in 1959 to a new owner in Kenosha, Wisconsin who finished the car to a high level and then kept it for over 40 years.

The car uses a 1949 Ford sedan chassis, this was the first year that the model had independent front suspension.  The ’49 Ford chassis was cut in the center and shortened to fit a 100 inch wheelbase, it kept front and rear leaf springs and used drum brakes on all four corners.

Power was provided by a 265 cu. in. 1956 small block Chevrolet V8, it’s located in a front-mid-position and it’s apparently possible to physically stand in the gap between the front of the engine and the engine. This V8 produces 220 hp and 270 ft lbs torque, close to the stock figures for the engine and more than enough for the featherlight Byers.

In the 1990s the car was bought by Guy Dirkin, he used it for a fun summer car before embarking on a project to upgrade and improve it, while maintaining as much originality as possible with no parts or fabrication that weren’t possible or available in the late 1950s.

I’ll turn the story over to Guy for the next part:

“Around 2004 the car was scratched by a vandal who maliciously keyed several major areas of the car. I was unable to repair the paint in a way that would leave an acceptable finish.

In retrospect, the vandal opened up options that would ultimately lead to the rebuilding of the car, meeting great people and ultimately an award at the Amelia Island Concour.  

So I suppose I should raise my glass to the vandal and wish him well.  (P.S. I hope the vandal finds more productive outlets for his frustration following years of living without any balls!)”

The full list of improvements are listed on the eBay listing which you can visit via the link here, this is doubtless one of the best Byers SR100s available anywhere in the world and it’s currently being offered with a Buy It Now price of $87,500 USD.

Above Image: Guy Dirkin at the wheel.

The post Byers SR100 – In 1957 Road & Track Magazine Called This “The Most Beautiful Car In The World” appeared first on Silodrome.

source https://silodrome.com/byers-sr100/

[zipgrowth]

How an LMS Can Solve Professional Learning's Challenges—and Keep Master Teachers Engaged

The idea of using a learning management system (LMS) to deliver professional learning and development to K-12 educators is not new—but it’s not quite mainstream, either. Face-to-face is still the ascendant modality, but LMS-for-PD is gaining serious traction, thanks to the efforts of educational IT innovators like Ken Dirkin.

We figured, what’s good for the students is good for the teachers.

Ken Dirkin

Dirkin is the Director of Online Professional Learning at Michigan Virtual, a nonprofit provider of digital learning solutions for the state’s K-12 schools. He’s been involved with cutting-edge educational technology, including virtual worlds, mobile applications, new media, and the web, for more than 15 years.

Michigan Virtual has been in the online education space for two decades. The organization has been providing LMS-based professional learning for the state’s educators since 2004. “We figured, what’s good for the students is good for the teachers,” says Dirkin.

EdSurge spoke with Dirkin about how an LMS can make professional learning more affordable and personalized and keep master teachers engaged—as well as what professional learning might look like in the future. (Hint: Think AI.)

EdSurge: How does an LMS impact the types of professional learning a district offers to teachers?

Ken Dirkin: The role of the LMS in professional learning is essentially the same as it is for student learning. One key difference: an LMS used for professional learning gives teachers a chance to practice in the same environments their students use.

Because it’s an online system, it has the potential to expand dramatically the number and types of courses a district is able to offer. We offer over 300 professional learning courses that you can take anywhere, anytime. And because you can access them with your mobile devices—your phone, your tablet, your laptop—there’s a pervasiveness in the way you get to your courses.

Ken Dirkin Select Courses from Michigan Virtual: • MyPD — formally honors educators’ informal learning • Essential Instructional Practices in Early Literacy: K-3 Essential 1 — plus a playlist of sample videos available in these modules • Changing Minds to Address Poverty in the Classroom • Introduction to Phenomenal Science • Learn.BLEND.Lead 2018-19 — exploring best practices in the blended classroom

LMS-based professional learning gets us away from the ‘sit-and-get’ and ‘one-size-fits-all’ model, and moves toward personalized learning. I joke that we do macro and micro personalization. The 300 courses I mentioned are personalized in the sense that there’s probably a course in there that fits your needs. And then there’s the micro level of personalization, where you begin thinking about how to adapt a course for the needs of the individual learner, which requires our systems to be perceptive and to use data intelligently.

What problems does using an LMS for professional learning solve?

One of the major downsides of face-to-face professional learning, for which there is still an institutional bias, is that it’s just not scalable. Districts have to release teachers from their classrooms to attend, but it’s getting hard and harder to find substitutes. So, how do you reach your teachers effectively when you can’t even get time with them? I think that’s a problem that’ll spark a rapid adoption of these platforms for professional learning.

Using an LMS for professional learning is also more cost effective. It might seem more expensive up front, but there are studies out there showing how districts spend five to ten times more money on professional learning than they actually report. In Michigan, professional learning expenses reportedly account for between 2% and 3% of an average school district’s budget—specifically, registration for training and bringing in a speaker. But this doesn’t include the cost of travel time or substitute teachers. So, the actual percentage is more like 5% to 10%.

A lot of those costs can be reduced with online options. For example, we did a training for the Michigan Department of Education on how to administer state assessments. It was the first time we ever did this; they usually handed out 48-page paper handbooks. They asked us to put together something online. At the second largest school district in Michigan, Utica Community Schools, almost everyone on their staff took the course. It was a no brainer to say, okay, all you guys go take this half-hour course instead of us handing you 1,600 printed manuals.

What cultural shifts are driving change in professional learning offerings?

More from D2L:

Putting Teachers at the Center for Their Own Learning

Parent Engagement in the Modern Era

How an LMS Makes Personal Learning More Efficient

We’re hearing from teachers in their 50s who want to stay current. They’re looking for options, but they’re already master educators. They have two master’s degrees and they’ve gone to every training they can get their hands on, but that’s still not enough to keep them challenged and motivated. We’ve been trying to develop experiences for them that are different. For example: MyPD is a program in which they define their problem of practice, bring in the resources they’re going to use to tackle it, build an implementation plan, and then send that on to us to provide feedback. This type of learning is really important to people working their way toward mastery and beyond, and an LMS is the best way to deliver it.

How did you choose an LMS to deliver professional learning?

We needed a platform that would help us to facilitate at-scale courses. We needed tools that would allow us to communicate clearly with the participants and use their data to help them identify their needs, where they are, and what they need to be doing. We also looked for a solution that would integrate easily with other opportunities, and allow us to easily deploy videos and multimedia resources quickly. And, because we report on our activities to the Michigan legislature, we also needed to be able to aggregate data about the experiences that were happening in our system. D2L’s Brightspace Core really hit the right note for what we were looking for in a professional learning platform.

Interested in learning more about professional learning for teachers? Check out the on-demand webinar, How Microcredentials Can Boost Professional Learning, sponsored by D2L.

What’s the future of LMS-enabled professional learning?

We’re hearing from teachers in their 50s who want to stay current.

In my vision of the future in this space, I see systems that are able deliver professional via the Internet of Everything. Your Amazon Echo at home. The iPhone in your pocket. The radio in your car. The device that gets installed in your head for augmented reality experiences—whatever it is. And I don’t think we’re going to get there without advanced neural networks and AI agents to help us figure out what that fabric looks like.

What kind of advice would you give to school leaders who are looking for an LMS for professional learning?

You don’t have to do this alone. Lots of groups and districts are doing professional learning online. One example is the Virtual Learning Leadership Alliance, a group we have been part of for a number of years. It’s an association of chiefs of virtual programs. A number of the state virtual school members partner with D2L, and that helped in the adoption of Brightspace for us. The thing to keep in mind is, we’re all at the beginning of the curve, so it’s a pretty amicable group right now. That’s something I’d definitely take advantage of.

How an LMS Can Solve Professional Learning's Challenges—and Keep Master Teachers Engaged published first on https://medium.com/@GetNewDLBusiness