Reflection on another Teachmeet
February 18th, 2010
February 2010 and I am reflecting on another TeachMeet, this one at Perth and organised by Neil Winton of Perth Academy. TeachMeets are educator-led, informal CPD events. The organisation of a TeachMeet works like this:
- someone starts a page on the TeachMeet web site with a location and date.
- people sign up on the wiki page as 7-minute presenters, 2-minute presenters or ‘lurkers’ (not presenting but taking part in learning conversations)
- people can also sign up to take part virtually using webcam technology
There is no charge for a TeachMeet and organisers usually seek limited sponsorship to cover venue, refreshment and Internet costs. The National CPD Team has sponsored several of these events and hopes to do more in the future.
On the night, it works like this:
- the organiser comperes the event
- someone ‘curates’ the webmeet to make sure the online colleagues are included. David Noble of Hillside School does a grand job with this task at the ones I have attended
- presenters’ names are drawn at random and jump up to share practice when their name is drawn
- the 7 minute or 2 minute time limits are strictly enforced by launching of stuffed toy missiles!
Why do I like the Teachmeet format?
- It’s democratic. Anyone can go and present. If your name is not called, you don’t get up! Margaret Alcorn (National CPD coordinator) attended one in East Lothian recently and was the only one not to be called! No preference was expected or given
- It’s edgy. You don’t know when or if you are going to be called. If the organisers throw in some random activities you might just find yourself building a leader in Lego or up at the front singing the CfE Blues (as happened at LeadMeet 09)
- It leaves a legacy. Most of them are recorded and can be revisited (TMPerth10 is here). You make contacts and see practice that you are unlikely to come across in conventional channels
- It’s empowering. Many who apprehensively attend for the first time, put their name on the hat for the second time
- It’s fun. Even though they typically take place from 6 to 9 in the evening, I have yet to doze off during a TeachMeet!
Elements of the TeachMeet format (particularly the idea of randomly selected, short presentations) can be embedded in more conventional CPD events. I recently attended an event for CPD leaders in the Central Authorities Forum. ‘Volunteers’ were randomly selected to share for 2 minutes and no more or they faced the CPD Team stuffed Galloway Coo!
You can find out more about the history of TeachMeet on Margaret Vass’ blog. If you fancy starting one in your area, just give me a shout. I’ll be happy to help if I can as will many others in the educational community in Scotland and beyond.

