Think Outside the Box
Times have changed, students have changed, technology has changed, so why are we still doing professional development the same way we always have?
Do away with the "one-size fits all" approach to professional development and explore a a variety of “outside the box" structures and strategies used to select and deliver professional development topics based on teacher need and interest.
Do away with the "one-size fits all" approach to professional development and explore a a variety of “outside the box" structures and strategies used to select and deliver professional development topics based on teacher need and interest.
Tips 4 Tech
Digital Smackdown
Conference Style PD
Twitter Chat
Make & Take SessionSpace/Location
Classroom, library, or other meeting area. Time 20-40 minutes Topics Includes a range of instructional topics such as phonemic & phonological awareness, mathematics, substitute binders, mindfulness & Zones of Regulation, restorative practices, and more. Structure This format is designed to provide teachers with time and support to create resources to support classroom instructions. By leveraging the resource staff/experts in the building such as reading specialists, math resource teachers, school counselors, etc., teachers can explore a variety of sample activities and resources and then have time to select and create applicable resources to take back to their classrooms. The power in this structure is not just the time for teachers to create resources, but the instructional conversations and planning that precede the creation. |
Learning Walk
Vertical Visit
Grade Level Meeting & Planning
Book ClubSpace/Location
Classroom, library, or other meeting area. Digital presentation capabilities are option depending on you topic/needs. This type of PD can also be conducted asynchronously via an online platform such as VoiceThread, Schoology, Twitter, Blackboard, etc. Time 30-60 minutes Topics Includes a range of instructional topics such as student engagement, technology integration, classroom management, restorative practices, equity, various content areas, and more. Structure Book clubs can be conducted as formal or informal formats for professional learning and discussion. Books are typically selected to align with school goals and/or teacher needs and interests. A facilitator will typically organize a series of discussion questions for the assigned reading. Group meets (of if online - post) regularly at assigned intervals as they read. The facilitator will take notes during face to face meetings to capture key ideas for all participants. Book clubs give teachers an opportunity not just to read and learn to enhance their own professional learning, but opportunities to engage in meaningful discussion with colleagues across grade levels and content areas. |
DIP Day
PD University
Webinar/Online Learning Session
Breakfast Bunch
News FlushSpace/Location
Any space where staff congregate Time n/a Topics Topics are timely, quick updates on things like technology, upcoming professional development opportunities, recent PD highlights, or even upcoming events in school. Structure Teachers are super busy and always on the go, and this can make it challenging to keep them up to date on upcoming PD opportunities and new information. Sometimes you just have to take a different approach! The "News Flush" is a tried and true tactic for helping teachers to utilize every spare minute! Posting PD schedules, updates, and tidbits of information in common spaces where teachers spend any free time provides teachers with additional & repeated exposure to information that may have otherwise been missed in an e-mail or optional PD session. Spaces like faculty restrooms (hence the News "Flush") are ideal because of the nature of the captive audience; however, wall spaces above copy machines, staff bulletin boards, and faculty room wall, tables, and other similar spaces can provide the same level of visibility in a setting where teacher may have a few spare minutes to devote to reading. |
EdCampSpace/Location
Large Gathering Space and Several Classrooms Time 2-4+ hours Topics Topics are teacher driven and created/organized at the start of the event. Teachers generate topics that they are interested in sharing or learning more about. Topics are posted to a board where facilitators work to combine like ideas in order to create a schedule of topics for the day. Structure The event begins with the generation of the "board." As mentioned above participants generate topic suggestions and facilitators combine and organize like ideas to create a schedule for the day. Participants then self select sessions to attend. Notes from each session are usually gathered using some form of online document, Google Doc, OneNote Notebook, etc. Participants rotate through a series of sessions at scheduled times. Sessions operate on the "Rule of 2 Feet" meaning that if you are in a session where you are not learning or contributing, you get up and go somewhere else where you can. The event usually concludes with a Smackdown (see above) where participants can quickly share a variety of tools, ideas, or applications so that participants get a wealth of ideas in a short amount of time. The goal of an EdCamp is to gather new ideas and information about topics that are relevant to you from other educators. This format is also an excellent way to collaborate and network. Additional Resources |
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Additional Forms of One on One Support
Co-Planning
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Co-Teaching
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Spatial Organization Support
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