How can distance learning support teacher and staff professional development?

Distance learning is absolutely critical to provide resources and support to instructors who live and work in rural or outlying communities. The virtual environment not only can provide professional development opportunities but also a potential network improvement community of colleagues.

One of the major benefits (thanks, in large measure to the hybrid / online learning forced upon us all durind the Covid 19 pandemic) is flexibility. Effective learning for teachers or students is often better face to face, however online tasks, materials and resources - or indeed conversations can fit in better to a normal working week. We planned a few sessions where the teaching team had to meet, review materials, discuss and compile a plan - online and at a mutually convenient time for their group. This approach was well received and accomplished just as much as a physical meeting or workshop.

Distance learning can provides opportunities to connect and network with people from across the globe who students might have never had a chance to meet. It's a great chance to gain new perspectives and perhaps learn about new opportunities.

1. Flexible Pace: Distance learning lets teachers learn at their own speed. 2. Easy Access: Online platforms offer resources and global collaboration for quick and convenient professional development. 3. Cost Savings: Virtual training cuts travel expenses, making it a cost-efficient option for staff development.

Indeed, one of the greatest advantages of distance learning is its ???flexibility. As educators, we often have ?busy schedules and? limited time for professional development. ????Distance learning provides the freedom to learn at our own pace and fit professional development activities into our daily routines. Whether it's participating in online courses, webinars, or virtual workshops, ? we have the ability to choose when and where we engage in these learning opportunities.

Distance learning provides a range of opportunities and alternatives but may not address some of the more subtle nuances teachers/educators pick up in the classroom. eg: the student who is feeling alienated; the student who is looking dishevelled, distressed, frightened, disengaged; the student with poor social skills who needs to develop greater interaction; the student with mental-health issues such as anxiety, self-harm, depression, eating disorders. And so on….. teachers are more than deliverers of knowledge.. they are social workers, doctors, counsellors, mentors, parent-figures and more. These additional roles are not easily transferable for distance learning.

Distance learning also has its challenges. As an educator, it might be easier to teach from home without having to travel, however, it may also has a few difficulties. For example, it can be harder to engage students in the tasks. When working online, it is easier for students/participants to get distracted with their electronic devices, interrupted by people around/phones/emails, etc. It may also be harder for the teacher to check for understanding, so visual aids and lots of clarification and repetition will be necessary. Pace is also a challenge; if conversations/lecturing lasts too long, you run the risk of having students disengaged!

As someone who takes many distance/virtual professional development courses, they have challenging aspects. Not having someone available to answer questions is a significant drawback. Distance learning is self-directed, and if you need clarification, no one can elaborate on the concepts taught. An individual's learning style also contributes to the level of engagement they will have toward the distance learning course.

Combining distance learning with practical face-to-face sessions is crucial for a well-rounded educational experience. While online platforms offer flexibility, face-to-face interactions provide hands-on experiences, real-time feedback, and social connections that enhance comprehension and skills application. This blended approach harnesses the strengths of both modalities, creating a more comprehensive and effective learning environment.

I agree that building trust is absolutely critical during distance collaboration between teachers and educational leaders, but I can’t help but maintain that for me, progress hinges on the in-person connections.

While initially viewed as a stopgap during the pandemic, distance learning now holds surprising potential for enriching teacher development. Here are some strategies to help: Invest in infrastructure: Ensure reliable internet access and provide necessary technology and training to navigate online platforms effectively. Curate high-quality resources: Partner with reputable institutions and experts to offer relevant, engaging, and interactive online learning opportunities. Build support networks: Foster online communities and facilitate peer-to-peer learning initiatives to encourage collaboration and knowledge sharing. Recognize and reward: Acknowledge participation and incentivize teachers to explore new learning opportunities.

A positive attitude, as mentioned on the left here, is only possible with a working relationship. When trust and communication are built, then true support can happen. As I work remote now and while I worked with teachers remotely/F2F in the past, it was critical to have trust which can certainly happen with distance. Then, allowing the teacher to maintain their humanity and dignity, we can dig into what goals/strategies they want to grow in, the history, data, and next steps through collaborative inquiry and curiosity.

One thing that I have found helpful is to be sure that the instruction is targeted at the wants of the audience. If the audience isn't receiving information that they believe they need, it is going to be incredibly difficult to keep their attention. That is one reason I believe that distance learning is so amazing, we are able to give people all over the world exactly what they want/need at any given time.

Distance Learning may or may not support (adult) teacher/staff development, but what I would submit to you is that it may diminish (younger/distractive) student cognitive development. Let’s face it, there are few things more electric and lasting than “live” face to face interaction.

We are not all the same but we deserve the same opportunities to reach out potential. To do this, we must recognise our differences and our preferred teaching and learning styles….oral/aural/kinaesthetic/written etc. Some teachers found they were more comfortable and successful when teaching through distance learning. Some found they needed the live interaction of a face to face classroom situation. Some students preferred distance learning and thrived during the pandemic… others struggled to adapt to online learning and made less progress. We are all uniquely different and we need to recognise this and teach/learn accordingly.