Andrea Ray's Page

""Teachers Teaching Teachers: Professional Development That Works" http://www.educationworld.com/a_admin/admin/admin459.shtml Thoughts?...."

"Interesting question. I tend to agree with the camp that questions the format used in most schools today with the one size fits all presentations rather than working on individual's needs for development. That being said, I can understand how…"

"One person I've come to depend on for useful ideas in higher ed is  Mary Ellen Weiner, who operates the Teaching Professor Blog at FacultyFocus.com. Her posts are not limited to my teaching area  (nonfiction writing) but I find a…"

"Brady, I  attend many online courses and webinars in fields outside education. From what I've seen, your observation about what people want from professional development, regardless of the field, is "the how not the what and the…"

"Yes, educator directed, relevant, and time efficient are very important at all levels of pd. "

"PD is a source of contention at all levels, from Elementary to Secondary to Admin.  I have been present at some that were immensely valuable and impact-full but also, at others that were a complete waste of time.  Most that were educator…"

"Linda, I agree 100% and really appreciate your insights.  I have also noticed that in higher education settings, teachers often feel that the "generic" concepts of improving teaching and learning do not directly link to their subject…"

"I worked in the '80s for an educational service agency that sells professional development programs to school districts. My observation was that most of the PD programs failed to meet teachers' perceived needs for one or more…"

"Would you see the value of a 50/50 relationship when choosing PD topics or events? Organizations have responsibilities to provide PD, but there would be space for individual choice too. In your teaching/learning environment, are you given any…"

"That's right.  PD's need to be teacher chosen not admin chosen.  For me they are not understandable and not worth attending; however, attendance is mandatory."

"Though I am not a practicing teacher (yet!), I also believe that internet PLNs are extremely useful! From what I have heard, Professional Development days in public schools are not always used in the best manner. Looking at Professional Learning…"

"I work for a small school and, due to such small staff numbers (4 full time), our PD sessions can be really focused toward the current needs of the staff.  So far all but one of the PD sessions I have attended have been very relevant and very…"

"I think professional development is important if the participant chooses to take the most out of the program. I happen to love gaining ideas and having more experienced teachers help me in my role as a teacher. I feel that online professional…"

"Thank you for your feedback and comments.  They are very helpful.  "

"At the school level, I think teachers need to set the agenda for PD.  Most often it is district mandated or admin-selected.  If teachers could choose the content, or arrange for different options, I think that would really help invest…"

"Your words "any chance to interact with more experienced teachers" are very relevant, I think, to all levels of education and professional development.  Self-selected and self-driven are important too, but sometimes we need the…"