Don't forget that your survey results are due into the dropbox by midnight on Saturday, Oct. 1. Remember that I need a summary of what you found.
I'm having an interesting week next week, where I'll be demonstrating my literacy leadership by making a presentation to the Common Education Committee of the Oklahoma State Legislature. I'll be trying to help them understand what the research says about struggling readers and what works for them as well as what we do in preservice and inservice teacher preparation to prepare teachers and reading specialists to work with them. Wish me luck as I don't think it will be a receptive audience.
As you know, coaching is a type of professional development that can
be done with teams or individually. Most coaching related to improving
teaching or learning how to implement a new literacy teaching strategy
is done individually. This week we will look at other types of
professional development that could occur in small or large groups and
what makes effective PD. What do you think are characteristics of
effective PD? Tell me what works for you.
First read the chapter in WSQ about professional
development. You might want to note the characteristics of effective PD
from the research, the different types of PD besides whole group
workshops, and suggestions for creating site based PD. All of these
will be important to your PD plan you are doing for your school. Next
read the article. As you do, think about how this example of sustained
PD fits with the WSQ chapter. You might want to blog about that. Or
you might blog about how do the ideas from the article (one example of
sustained PD that effected change) and the chapter will help you think
about planning your site based PD plan based on your survey.
Let me know if you would like to set up a meeting to chat with me about assignments or the readings. The next face to face meeting will be on Oct. 21 from 3:30 - 9:00. Remember that we changed the time on that Friday when Kathryn joined us. Let me know if you have any questions.
Good luck Dr. Beach!!! You can do it!
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think are characteristics of effective PD? Tell me what works for you.
I think effective PDs are essential to the growth and development of the overall teacher and their teaching practice. I think in order for a PD to be effective it is important that it is first based on a topic that the teachers want to know more about, are interested in, or can relate to. Also, effective PDs are inviting, engaging and purposeful. Boring PDs aren’t going to get adult learners interested in learning, or sharing. That is why effective PDs are fun as they give adult learners, teachers, an opportunity to learn in an environment that is conducive to learning. Just like the saying goes for our students, “Learning is FUNdamental” so should it be for adult learners. Provide them with activities or slides etc., that aren’t long, that are attractive, interesting and meaningful, and engage them in discussions that help to stimulate their thoughts so that their passion for what they are doing may shine through. In addition, when a PD is effective it is because the facilitators are helpful, insightful, and respectful of everyone and their learning styles. Moreover, when teachers’ questions are answered during or after a PD, when follow-ups are made or when coaches have checked in on teachers who needed assistance or otherwise, then is when PDs become effective.
As for me, I would defiantly say that the above works for me. I enjoy going to PDs that aren't dull or boring, but rather engaging and meaningful to my growth as a teacher, literacy coach and leader. I like PDs where I can voice my opinion if I need to without any backlash, where my fellow learners and I feel a sense of community or openness and where I have the chance to use technology because as we know, it is becoming more and more a part of the classroom learning environment.
What do you think are characteristics of effective PD? Tell me what works for you.
ReplyDeleteI think that effective professional development builds on the interests and goals of the people participating. Interest is a big motivator in people's engagement level. PD should engage all of the participants in tangible ways. This could be through the use of oral collaboration on a topic or the creation (make and take) of something to be used in the classroom.
I enjoy engaging in collaborative PD that works to solve a problem in the school. This often occurs through group brainstorming. I feel like this builds on a sense of community that is needed in all schools. I think PD should also be done in such a way that it acknowledges the strengths that people bring to the school.
Additionally, PD needs to be data driven in some ways (I know this isn’t always a popular view). I think that if there is an area that is a struggle in the school, time should be spent providing the scaffolding necessary to promote growth in that area. I think the struggle in doing this is lack of interest on the part of the participants; however, lack of interest doesn’t mean a topic should be ignored. I think this just means the format that PD occurs in should be engaging. We need to show growth in all areas.
What do you think are characteristics of effective PD? Tell me what works for you.
ReplyDeleteWe all know or would like to believe that the objective of any PD is for the participants to take away and implement what they learned, especially regarding teachers. However this is not always the case! Some characteristics of an effective PD include;
Actually focusing on what teachers want to learn. This can be done by conduct surveys to see what teachers are interested in learning.
Implementing flexible grouping - include activities that allow teachers to move around and interact with each other.
Ensuring that the length of it is appropriate- PDs can last an entire day, but effective PDs are continuous, whereby follow up sessions need to occur. This way, teachers will continue to learn more, and have the opportunity to ask for clarification.
Teachers are in some instances like their students. They need differentiated instruction, and flexible seating and overall they want to learn. PDs that do not meet their needs are just as ineffective as implementing lessons that are ineffective for our students.
As for me, I definitely want to attend PDs that are geared toward my interest, interactive and meaningful.
What do you think are characteristics of effective PD? Tell me what works for you.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, there are several things that make professional development effective for me. I think the most importantly it has to be applicable and relatable for me. There have been times where teachers complain that they have to attend professional development that is not relatable or doesn’t pertain to their field of teaching. For example, a physical education teacher should not have to sit through professional development on how to improve literacy in the classroom. I enjoy PD when I can take what is being taught and apply it to my classroom.
I also work well when there is time to discuss and collaborate with other colleagues. I appreciate it when time is given in the PD to discuss ideas and thoughts when something new needs to be implemented in the classroom. It’s always nice to bounce ideas back and forth, after all, sometimes two heads are better than one!
Lastly, I think PD is always effective when there is an end goal in mind. For example, if there is a need for students to become better writers it would be beneficial to have PD that helps us grow as a school in this area. If there are goals that need to be accomplished it gives me a sense of ownership in the PD and allows me to give and get what I want out of it.