Professional Learing Strategy
Over the course of obtaining my master’s degree I have had the chance to learn about Professional Learning (PL) and Professional Development (PD). Both PL and PD are major for those who work in the educational field, and it is very important that educators receive this form of ongoing training in this area since there is always something new when it comes to our educational systems and us as teachers need to stay ahead of the game when it comes to educating our learners (students).
During the duration of my time, I have learned about the 5 Key principals of PL while putting together a professional learning plan my organization can adopt to by engaging and encouraging them on what needs to be Called to Action in order to start implementing change through our current school system. Yes, there needs to be a change, and this is a good place to start.
My Professional Development Plan targets Educators who need extra training when it comes to adding blended learning to our now curriculum and allowing it to work in our favor when it comes to making sure our students are successful both in and out of class.
By this plan being something that I not only need but other teaching professionals as well. I will be in charge of leading majority of the section for the implantation plan but also with the help of other colleagues that would like to see change, and a few members of the technology team. When it comes to fostering collaboration and being effective thorough out my Innovation plan, I will be able to build healthy relationships, establishing goals that are meaningful, staying positive through out the process, as well as keeping my team member encouraged.
Going to school as an adult is stressful enough. Imagine being a child trying to maintain without direction…Scary huh! Not having proper guidance can cause one to give up but as a self-directed learning you will be able to gain confidence, obtain problem-solving skills, while gaining other skills in the process within a stress-free environment allowing one to improve the skills learned and adding to what you already know. That’s why it is so important in my opinion why blended learning needs to be added to the entire educational system it should be mandatory.
Objective:
Teachers will learn how to implement blended learning into current curriculum which, will allow teachers to be able to teach multiple subjects with authentic learning.
Participants:
All grade level teachers
Students
Wrap around Specialist
Tech support staff
Principals
Resources:
Computer Lab
Personal Computer/ Laptop
Innovation Plan
Call to Action
School funding department (to be able to supply low- income students with computers with build in hotspot and Wi-Fi
5 Key Principals of Effective Professional Learning
PD must be
Significant and Ongoing
Which allows time for teachers to learn new strategies.
PD must provide
Ongoing support, for teachers during the implementation stage when faced with new challenges within the changing classroom.
PD must
Engage, teachers so they can actively participate and make sense of the new practice.
PD must include
Modeling Skills, while being able to observe teachers. This method allows teachers to get a clear understanding of the new practices. Letting the teacher become the student and receiving hands on training, participating in learning communities with 2-3 participants (Walk and Talk method).
Lastly PD must be
Specific to discipline, Content specific, Authentic learning. Real time results
The What
THe WHy
The first time I attended a Professional Development Session it was so boring that I ended up falling asleep and not learning about anything that I was there to learn. The session lasted for five hours with no interaction with the audience so how could they know if I was paying attention or not. The room itself was a large auditorium that held over 100 plus people who held their ow conversation not pertaining to what the speaker was saying. Once the session was over everyone was handed a goodie back with chips, water, and pamphlets that we could use after but mine never made it home because once I ate those chips and washed them down with water, I put the trash in the thank you bag and threw it all away.
Which is a huge example of WHY PD needs a major upgrade. The upgrade should require more on-going support to make teachers feel more comfortable, confident, and important when learning new strategies to better their classroom as well as keeping teachers engaged by attending workshops that allow you to receive hands-on training, and small group activities which will keep them woke and more beneficial
The HOw
Before creating this presentation, I sat down and wrote out a list of possible ideas I could use to present my presentation. Making sure to keep in mind that I must get to the point I’m trying to make while keeping my audience interested in what I have to say. The information I’ve added to my presentation is very helpful when it comes to helping our educational system move forward by helping the ones that means the most…..THE TEAHCERS. Information provided will help in shifting from what is wrong to how we can fix the problem.
It was indeed a challenge being that I haven’t had to create a PowerPoint in a long time. Nor how to record my voice. It took me forever, but YouTube played a major role when it came to adding music to my presentation, to me just needing help on how to upload and export my PowerPoint. I looked up so many FREE websites to create a PowerPoint from Prexi, Canva, Google docs, Zoho, and ended up using Microsoft which was still a challenge because I really had to teach myself. I choose to go with a colorful background something that will catch the eye because it caught mine. I’m really proud of myself and how far I pushed myself in order to have a great outcome (My presentation). Looking over the supplemental videos pertaining to “How to tell a story” By Nancy Duarte and “How to avoid death by PowerPoint” by David JP Phillips were very great pointers on how to tell a story without going overboard and the traps you could face while creating a PowerPoint it is a lot and some of the things mention I still ran into them while trying to avoid them. This was a learning experience I enjoyed from starting over to actually finishing this is one mini goal I have now completed while learning in the process.
Professional Devedlopment Outline
In the following course of Professional Learning and Development we will target Administrators and Teachers who need extra help with getting students transitioned from traditional learning to blended learning.
This course will use BHAG and Fink’s 3 Column table as the instructional design.
Since we are transitioning from traditional learning to blended learning this course will include face to face training as well as online training. The course will run on a 5 ½ -week program starting in the Spring Semester. Learners will meet 3 weeks in person, 2 weeks of course online and ½ week wrapping thing up. This will give the learners the opportunity to have one on one training with the instructor and form learning communities where they can help one another when the instructor is unable to assist.
Technology Specialist will be the lead Instructor for this program with the help of several teachers who have already been trained for the new program being introduced.
Learners will collaborate through their learning communities, giving them the opportunity to share their ideas and what they have learned. Learners will meet with their group members every other week (Wednesday) through zoom meetings at 6pm.
The type of resources the learners will need will include personal device such as cell phone or personal computer for online and face-to-face learning, download zoom app to device, USB drive to save work, excellent internet connection, notebook to take notes.
The impact I’m looking to make is to have all Administrators and teachers onboard with implementing Blended Learning into current curriculum. Making sure they get the correct training in order to make the transition easy as possible for the students.
TimeLine of 5 ½ -week training course:
The Beginning: Post Covid-19 Students only knew face to face learning. Struggled with learning online because they were never taught how to properly use the computers. Not only did it hit the students hard it hindered the teachers from interacting with their students because everything was now online.
Week 1: Getting Started
Introduction to the course
Course Calendar
Retrieving Login Access
Downloading Zoom
Weekly Meeting (Wednesday) In-person
Getting to know your colleagues
Hands on Activities
Week 2: Making the Switch
Why Blended Learning
Videos Introducing Blended learning
In Person meeting
Hands on activity/worksheets
Weekly Meeting (Wednesday) In-person
In class discussion
Forming Learning communities
Testing knowledge/skills learned
Week 3: Engage/ Support/Modeling Skills
Engaging and learning at their own pace (Teachers & Admin)
Accepting ownership, and responsibility (with learning new programs)
Zoom meeting (online)
Weekly Meeting (Wednesday) In- Person
In class review
Supporting Learning communities
Testing Knowledge
Group Assignments (Hands on training)
Videos Introducing online part of course
Week 4: Moving to Online Training
Engaging in online group discussions with colleagues
Sharing information
Weekly Meeting (Wednesday) Online
Participating in small group
Going over how to get students engaged/keeping their minds focused
Creating online activities
Creating learning games
Week 5: Feedforward/Taking ownership
Continue participating in online discussions
Group meetings
Creating Blended Learning Lesson Plans that are easy to follow
Allowing colleagues to give feedback and feedforward ideas on lesson plans
Installing software
Creating Online Eportfolio to be able to share work
Weekly Meeting (Wednesday) Online
Week 5 ½: Wrapping up
Wrapping up what has been learned
Applying new knowledge to current curriculum
Staying motivated
Creating content showing growth and improvement
Self-Evaluation
After Professional Development Course
Ongoing Support
Course and trainings are still open for future use
Contribution To My Learning
This semester I had the opportunity to take 2 courses I was very nervous but felt I could and was up for the challenge. Last semester almost took me out, so this go round I decided to start early gathering my information and getting ahead on my readings. Even with trying to read ahead I still up being behind, and this is something that I have to continue working on.
My courses consisted of 5313 Creating Significant Learning environments and 5389 Developing Effective Professional Learning. I can honestly say with the readings and videos presented though out the classes really helped me within both courses. It was a little tough because assignments that were due for 5389, I had to complete 5313 assignments first to even understand what was going on in 5389.
Taking these two classes was a challenge when it came to that but if I have to say so myself I did pretty good with going back and forward.
This go round my community learning group got split up meaning two of the members were in one course 5313 and the other three were in course 5389. I was very fortunate to still be apart of both groups because here is where I got the most help and help that I really needed because I was indeed confused.
5389 Learning community group consisted of four members Monika, James, Maria, and Myself. We held our weekly meetings on Thursdays at 7pm on zoom. Our meetings would go for an hour sometimes longer either way we had a great meeting every time. Our weekly meetings were on point we made sure to stay on top of our game. We all shared duties with keeping the group going. Keeping in touch through personal emails and via text. If I have to say so myself, I really enjoyed our group it was small but well organized and put together and we got the job done. Even though we’ve been connected since beginning our ADL program we’ve grown so much and was sad that Ms. Elda and Ericka were no longer in our group, but we managed.
This semester I really had to push myself forward due to many hardships, but I stayed focused and kept going. I tried my hardest to submit all assignments as well as discussions on time along with responding to other members in my class. Even when I caught the flu this semester which almost took me out, I still survived.
Overall, this semester I am truly proud of myself, and I grade myself for course 5389 a 90 I gave myself this score because this semester I didn’t come to play. I learned from last semester that I had to give it my all. I was able to communicate effectively and regularly, give feedback when needed. I turned in one assignment late and pass the due date even though Dr. B still took it after the due date due to me having the flu but, from this I’ve learned to try to get my work completed before time because waiting to the last minute is definitely not it.
I’ve really enjoyed this course and have learned so much more that I can take away. I’m forever grateful for the things I can learn and take back with me to teach the students I come in contact with.
References:
Innovation that sticks case study - OCSB: Collaborative Professional Development. YouTube. (2016, May 19). Retrieved April 18, 2022, from https://youtu.be/iUusuw-xdr4
Innovation that sticks case study - OCSB: Collaborative Professional Development. YouTube. (2016, May 19). Retrieved April 18, 2022, from https://youtu.be/iUusuw-xdr4
Theories_History of learning theories. KB. (n.d.). Retrieved April 16, 2022, from https://kb.edu.hku.hk/learning_theory_history/
Hanson, M., & Checked, F. (2022, March 21). U.S. public education spending statistics [2022]: Per pupil + total. Education Data Initiative. Retrieved April 16, 2022, from https://educationdata.org/public-education-spending-statistics#texas
Modeling-Based (Flipped) Professional Development at Rutgers University - Dr. Lodge McCammon. (2015, April 15). Modeling-Based (Flipped) Professional Development at Rutgers University - Dr. Lodge McCammon. YouTube. https://youtu.be/PBAmcveOnIM
Simon Sinek - how to present properly(part 5). YouTube. (2018, January 10). Retrieved April 12, 2022, from https://youtu.be/msvmLlAkOno
Hill, H.C. (2015). Review of “The Mirage: Confronting the Hard Truth About Our Quest for
Teacher Development.” Boulder, CO: National Education Policy Center. Retrieved [March 29, 2022]