When it comes to moving towards blended learning as a way to improve student learning, we must also provide blended learning experiences for teachers. Most teachers have a bad taste in their mouth when it comes to professional development. What if professional learning modeled the very best instructional practices that teachers are encouraged to use with students. That's why this short but profound message has become my guiding principle when it comes to designing professional learning for teachers.
what teachers want
Teachers today want professional learning that is relevant, flexible, and meets their individual professional learning goals and needs. So, how can we give them that? We can consider what it is we want students to know and learn and provide those same learning experiences for teachers. In other words, if we are incorporating blended learning as a means to differentiate learning for students then we must also model that in our professional learning for teachers. I've considered all this in planning a unique professional learning experience for teachers in our district- #FtBendBlends
This professional learning experience is designed to provide ongoing support during implementation, hands-on activities, and content-area specific topics and support. Teachers will complete an online portion on a topic and then choose their preferred method of face-to-face support: open lab for building Schoology tasks, one-on-one coaching, or department meetups (more Edcamp style). Then, they will provide a reflection over what they learned and how they used what they learned in their class with their students in order to receive a badge.
This professional learning experience is designed to provide ongoing support during implementation, hands-on activities, and content-area specific topics and support. Teachers will complete an online portion on a topic and then choose their preferred method of face-to-face support: open lab for building Schoology tasks, one-on-one coaching, or department meetups (more Edcamp style). Then, they will provide a reflection over what they learned and how they used what they learned in their class with their students in order to receive a badge.
I'm looking forward to supporting teachers throughout this paradigm shift in teaching and learning. This #FtBendBlends professional learning plan is a step in the right direction for us.
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