References
8 Top Tips for Highly Effective PD
In her edutopia blog post, Vicki Davis provides an annotated checklist for professional development that works. She explains that the best PD is collaborative, timely, and involves teacher input and buy-in. She contrasts unsuccessful PD with what she calls "drive-by training", which is often ineffective.
Davis, Vicki. “8 Top Tips for Highly Effective PD.” Edutopia, 15 Apr. 15AD, www.edutopia.org/blog/top-tips-highly-effective-pd-vicki-davis.
What Makes Professional Development Effective? Results From a National Sample of Teachers
This article in the American Educational Research Journal reports on results of a national study of over one thousand math and science teachers. The study compared the effects of different professional development strategies on the classroom practice of teachers. The results of the study serve to highlight the most beneficial ways to conduct PD that works.
Garet, Michael S, et al. “What Makes Professional Development Effective? Results From a National Sample of Teachers.” American Educational Research Journal, vol. 38, no. 4, 1 Jan. 2001, pp. 915–945., doi:10.3102/00028312038004915.
Characteristics of Effective Professional Development: A Checklist
Dr. Hunzicker's "checklist", written in association with the Teacher Education Department at Bradley University, is a concise guide for administrators who wish to provide effective and engaging professional development for their teachers. As many others have reported, she concludes that well-designed PD is collaborative, long-term and relevant to teachers.
Hunzicker, Jana. “Characteristics of Effective Professional Development: A Checklist.” June 2010, https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED510366.pdf.
Teaching with Technology: Beyond the Bells and Whistles
In a post that is part of his Transforming Instruction Through Technology series, education blogger Tan Huynh advocates for use of technology in the classroom. His post includes a concise infographic and text that provides several real benefits for students, especially English language learners. He explains that teaching with technology is more than replacing traditional methods and tools, but rather about adopting higher expectations for students who will become future creators and collaborators.
Huynh, Tan Kien. “Teaching with Technology: Beyond the Bells and Whistles.” Empowering ELLs, 14 Oct. 2017, www.empoweringells.com/teaching-with-technology/.
Sustainable Professional Development
Teachers' pedagogical practices have changed with the times, while strategies for educating teachers have not, writes Susan McLester in her feature for District Administration, a print and online publication for school leaders. She describes models for PD that are ongoing and continuous. In order to be successful, teacher development should be a regular part of a school's schedule, and should be embedded into communities of practice.
McLester, Susan. “Sustainable Professional Development.” District Administration Magazine, 7 Nov. 2012, www.districtadministration.com/article/sustainable-professional-development.