Professional learning for teachers is often a sit-and-get session where one person is talking and everyone else is listening. Occasionally, a video will play or some notes will be taken.
Why isn't professional development differentiated for teachers, just like lessons created for students?
Click for more HERE to learn about how I believe PD should change.
Throughout all my years of experience in education, my favorite PD sessions have been when mini lessons were held by teachers, for teachers. One hour from an inservice day was allocated to small group learning sessions and everyone was given an opportunity to sign-up for relevant classes as desired. Each lesson was 15 minutes long, so we were able to attend three different sessions while allowing for travel time from one to the next.
In addition to learning from and attending professional development meetings myself, I have also held the honor of hosting sessions for multiple schools around the world.
REAL examples of professional development I have guided include:
Integrating tech tools while teaching online
Diigo & JustRead extension benefits
MAP testing invigilator
Strategies for ELL growth
Differentiation using NoRedInk & ReadTheory
Incorporating Newsela into any classroom
PD Learning Evaluation
Directly speaking, school-wide professional learning topics should be carefully and specifically selected to supplement the long term goals of the district. This can be done by reflecting and brainstorming about these three topics:
a) Goals
b) Actions
c) Allies
Continue reading HERE about my PD evaluation ideas and measurements for success.
There you will read about how I have explained progress measurements in the form of goals, actions, and allies. I've also modeled six sources of influence which evaluate professional learning criteria success for Blended Learning by asking questions and focusing on strategies.
PD Planning
Once a professional learning topic is selected and ready for roll-out presentation, then an agenda must be created, later a plan defined for the session, and finally the resources gathered.
Let's pretend that Blended Learning is a school's new implementation goal. It has now become the focus for this school's learning ecosystem, an evaluation criteria has already been assigned, and they are ready to begin next steps.
By clicking HERE you will find a few important pieces for their next steps:
My explanation of how the five principals of effective professional development can be used to teaching Blended Learning to teachers.
A three-column table I created containing a defined plan for sessions which explains the implementation of Blended Learning for professional learning.
An extended agenda for the long-term schedule of each each Blended Learning session.
A selection of resources and presentation materials which can be used to prepare for hosting these professional learning meetings.
HERE is an actual outline I shared with participants when presenting my Digital Note-taking PD workshop last year. I learned so much while presenting, had a ton of fun, and received valuable positive feedback from fellow teachers.
Overall, professional learning for teachers is key for continuous improvement within the field of education. Students learn better as teachers understand more about relevant research and evolving best practices. As these new ideas are gathered, coaches guide teachers toward successful implementation of these skills and strategies.
A complete understanding of how Blended Learning could be used as an example for professional learning and teacher growth can be reviewed HERE.
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