Into the Driver's Seat

Teacher professional learning is of increasing interest as one way to support the increasingly complex skills students need to learn in preparation for further education and work in the 21st century. Sophisticated forms of teaching are needed to develop student competencies such as deep mastery of challenging content, critical thinking, complex problem-solving,

 

effective communication and collaboration, and self-direction. In turn, effective professional development (PD) is needed to help teachers learn and refine the pedagogies required to teach these skills. However, research has shown that many PD initiatives appear ineffective in supporting changes in teacher practices and student learning. Accordingly, we set out to discover the features of effective PD.

 

This paper reviews 35 methodologically rigorous studies that have demonstrated a positive link between teacher professional development, teaching practices, and student outcomes. We identify the features of these approaches and offer rich  descriptions of these models to inform those seeking to understand the nature of the initiatives.

 

Learn more / En savoir plus / Mehr erfahren:

 

https://gustmees.wordpress.com/?s=coaching

 

https://gustmees.wordpress.com/?s=professional+development

 

 

Via Gust MEES

Shifting to “Learn by Doing”

 

Becker of NMC says just as the role of the teacher is switching from “sage on the stage” to one of a coach or guide, there is a shift from rote to active learning. To foster skills of teamwork and collaboration, online education is incorporating group projects and hands-on labs to help students think more critically and retain the content.

 

Building on the concept of “learn by doing,” online education is expanding to connect students from around the world to learn together and meet professionals. Morris is also executive director of the Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration, which partners with more than 200 cultural organizations, such as art museums, to offer real-time interaction with experts in various fields.

 

This exposure can help answer student questions about the relevance of a geometry class, for instance. “To answer the questions of why you are doing it is key,” says Morris. “[Students] are motivated when they understand and have a reason to understand the material.”

 

Learn more / En savoir plus / Mehr erfahren:

 

http://www.scoop.it/t/21st-century-learning-and-teaching

 

Via Elizabeth E Charles, Yashy Tohsaku, Gust MEES