Teachers are savvy about finding what they need for students and lessons in their classrooms. They scour websites and thrift stores and pick people's brains for ideas and resources. When it's for the success of their students, barriers crumble by the sheer power of their will and passion.
So why is it when it comes to their own learning teachers are sitting in day-long workshops designed for the entire school staff, when what they need to really improve individually may only be 30-45 minutes worth of material from that workshop? As someone who designs and delivers teacher professional development, even in day-long workshop formats, I understand how antiquated this style of teaching and learning can be. Skilled differentiation can help meet individual teacher needs, but DIY PD can be an even more powerful option to include as part of a professional development plan.
Click this image to access Edutopia's DIY PD Toolkit Social media, web resources, online chats, hangouts, forums, and webinars, new live conference formats, and the deprivatization of classroom practices in your own building, all offer dynamic DIY PD for teachers.
The proof of new learning can come from teacher reflection, video showcases, peer sharing and observations, studio classrooms, modified classroom walkthrough formats, teacher blogs, or online teacher portfolios. After all, most teachers have or are transitioning to having an online presence and would love more time and support to develop this part of their practice.
DIY learning experiences mirror the self-directed learning and evidence-based assessments we are encouraging our students to use. Asking teachers to participate in a similar process will help them create models for students and be able to share their own experiences as they help navigate students through new learning expectations.
DIY PD also honors diverse learning styles, teachers as professionals, the other daily learning teachers are naturally engaging in as part of their lesson planning, and the continuing education and licensing classes they are likely taking on top of the school-based professional development expectations.
Expecting our teacher PD to reflect best teaching practices in the classroom is long overdue. DIY PD is one approach that demonstrates best practices while truly helping all teachers see immediate improvements in a flexible learning environment. And if you're a savvy administrator, it can also help save money and earn more respect from teachers.
Erin Croley
The proof of new learning can come from teacher reflection, video showcases, peer sharing and observations, studio classrooms, modified classroom walkthrough formats, teacher blogs, or online teacher portfolios. After all, most teachers have or are transitioning to having an online presence and would love more time and support to develop this part of their practice.
DIY learning experiences mirror the self-directed learning and evidence-based assessments we are encouraging our students to use. Asking teachers to participate in a similar process will help them create models for students and be able to share their own experiences as they help navigate students through new learning expectations.
DIY PD also honors diverse learning styles, teachers as professionals, the other daily learning teachers are naturally engaging in as part of their lesson planning, and the continuing education and licensing classes they are likely taking on top of the school-based professional development expectations.
Expecting our teacher PD to reflect best teaching practices in the classroom is long overdue. DIY PD is one approach that demonstrates best practices while truly helping all teachers see immediate improvements in a flexible learning environment. And if you're a savvy administrator, it can also help save money and earn more respect from teachers.
Erin Croley
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