What's New
Happy 2009!
While we recognize the obstacles the current economic situation has placed before many of us in education, we are filled with excitement and determination as we begin a new year here at FOR-PD. Why? We have not taken our eyes off the purpose and goal of the project. We believe that by providing relevant, current professional development on reading research and instruction the FOR-PD project assists teachers to improve instruction and student achievement across the state of Florida! The FOR-PD staff has great faith in the ability and dedication of our facilitators who are so much a part of making that happen! So here’s to another great new year for all of us!
READING SPECIALIST POSITION FILLED
The Reading Specialist position has been filled! Please join the FOR-PD team in welcoming Lourdes Smith.
Yes, Lou has decided to rejoin our team in the position of Reading Specialist. Needless to say, we are all thrilled to have her back!
Please contact Lou for any course questions. She is also available to assist with any participant issues you may have.
Email: forpdread@mail.ucf.edu Phone: 407-823-6151
As we begin another semester there have been additional updates made to the FOR-PD course. Please take time to review the course and take note of the following items so you will be prepared with correct information to share with your participants as they go through the course. Be aware that some of the updates may affect templates/letters you have created to assist with facilitation.
- Discussion Rubric 2-14: Participants are now given three points for posting the assignment on time and five points for responding to a fellow participant.
- Lessons 4 & 7 have had title changes. The new titles are as follows:
L4: Language-and-Print-Rich Environments L7: Vocabulary Development and Instruction. - Several of the external resources have been updated.
- New links have been added to some lessons.
- All quizzes and literacy logs have been updated based on participant and facilitator feedback
- Some content has been updated. For example there is a new required reading in Lesson 6.
- Florida’s Formula for Reading Success has been updated with the new information from the DOE. Feel free to contact the office if you have any questions regarding these updates.
CREATING SAFE SOCIAL LEARNING NETWORKS 
Social Networks have become an integral part of communication in the 21st century. More importantly, they are an important tool in the creation of one’s own personal learning network!
These networks allow people of all ages and backgrounds to connect with others to shape and support their own learning. However, safety is a very real concern when it comes to social networking for our youth. How do educators support and encourage this kind of networking and still protect students?
Follow this link to read how Pasco county schools are approaching this issue using the learning management system, Moodle.
http://www.tampabay.com/news/education/k12/article964604.ece
FORPD HAS A FACEBOOK PRESENCE
FOR-PD facilitators have regular opportunities to network with other facilitators in the For Facilitators Only section of WebCT. Through the Literacy Blog, both participants and facilitators can comment on topics posted.
However, until now our participants have not had a place to network with other participants and facilitators or continue conversations of their choice after their courses end. In our effort to assist in this area, FOR-PD has created a page on Facebook. We hope to encourage continued communication and discussion through this effort.
To find and become a 'fan' of FOR-PD, you will need a Facebook profile. Profiles can be set up to limit what personal information is shown and who can see the profile. Many prefer to create two profiles. One they share with friends and family, and one for professional use. Sign up and look for the FOR-PD page. Please share this information with your participants as well! If you have questions or wish to share any feedback, feel free to contact us!
Contact Us
Contact us using any of the emails below or directly using our convenient feedback form.
FOR-PD Project
FOR-PD Help Desk
FOR-PD Facilitators
Dr. Vicky Zygouris-Coe (Principal Investigator)
Richard Scott (Registration)
Candace Whitehead (Facilitator Specialist)
Saioa de Urquiza (Interim Project Director)
Lourdes Smith (Reading Specialist)
Return to the
FOR-PD Homepage.
Last Updated:
January 15, 2009
