The most common complaint from teachers as it relates to professional development is the lack of follow-up and support. Most PDs are an information dump that leaves learners with information overload, limited understanding of application, no long-term support, and no resource to refer back to. My PL is designed for learners to engage in activities, help desk opportunities, reflection, and hands-on learning over the course of seven weeks. The weekly sessions range in time between 60 and 225 minutes. Each session has its own set of learning outcomes, goals, and exit tickets. Learners will be assigned to learning communities and will use their peers as tools for learning and greater understanding. Below is my outline which details how I will execute the learning plan, outcomes, and goals for my PL sessions.
Who will facilitate the learning?: Me, I will be teaching the other teachers on my campus how to create ePs.
Professional Learning Outline
Effective professional learning requires learners to have time to synthesize and digest the information or strategies recently introduced. In my PL sessions, learners will participate in a seven-week program that is designed to provide long-term support, follow-up, and immediate application strategies.
Within in seven-week session, two weeks are specifically for learner support. These HelpDesk sessions will provide opportunities for eP Q&A, FAQs technical support, and collaborative learning with content specialists. Learners will be asked to come to these sessions with their questions in hand for immediate assistance and troubleshooting.
Learners will have no choice but to remain engaged in this high-energy and incredibly hands-on learning experience as learners will create their ePs in real-time. Learners will also engage with their learning community while away from the PL sessions.
Modeling is vital in any learning environment, and this program is no different. Learners will have the opportunity to see me model in my classroom. They will be able to build in class with my students and me and see how their students are incorporating their personalities into their ePs. They will also be able to learn not only from their learning communities and me but also from their own students.
Most PDs fail to know their audience. Facilitators don't typically poll the learners to gauge their level of prior knowledge. The failure to know your learners causes disconnect and proves as a waste of time for the learner. In my sessions, learners will be divided into learning communities based on prior knowledge and content area. This attention to detail creates a specific learning environment that promotes engagement, understanding, and collaboration.
Resources
Gulamhussein, A. (2013, September). Teaching the teachers effective professional development in an era of high stakes accountability. https://www.dropbox.com/s/j13c5mk092kmqv9/Teaching_Effective_Professional_Developmt.pdf?dl=0