Bright Spots: Shifting professional learning from compliance to empowerment

Dear Educator,

As educators, we are socialized into the profession in various ways. These may include observations of our previous teachers (known as the?apprenticeship of observation), our preparation programs, and especially our first on-the-job experiences. In short, our beliefs and expectations are shaped by our experiences including professional learning, which is why I often say:?

"If we want to change how students learn, we need to change how educators learn."?

Too often though, I hear from teachers and administrators (and this is further substantiated by research) that professional learning is not meeting the needs of the majority of teachers and largely fails to change classroom practices. Yet, still too many educators are forced into a one-size-fits-all, compliance-based model that does not meet their needs.

Shifting professional learning from compliance to empowerment?is a critical lever in meeting the needs of our diverse students. This week. I am so excited to share that our first set of learner-centered courses, designed with choice, personalization, inclusivity, and authentic application in mind are now available!

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With Gratitude,

Katie Martin , CIO, Learner-Centered Collaborative

We want to hear from you! Share your Learner-Centered Bright Spot with us?here.

BRIGHT SPOT OF THE WEEK

Shifting professional learning from compliance to empowerment

Our learner-centered courses support a competency-based approach to professional learning, designed to build upon educators’ goals and needs to scale learner-centered practices.

The following elements contribute to our competency-based professional learning approach:

1. A clear learning model

Based on our?Learner-Centered Collaborative Learning Model, 12 educators competencies identify what effective educators know and do to create learner-centered experiences and environments. Without a common understanding, many people guess and the vision rarely materializes in the majority of classrooms.

2.?Personalized goals and learning plans

Our course self-assessment empowers educators to define their goals as they self-assess their strengths and opportunities with respect to the desired competencies and craft a personalized learning plan.

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3. Self-directed learning

Educators have diverse expertise and preferences about how and what they learn. The courses are aligned to our framework and provide clear learning goals while allowing for choice and voice to empower teachers to develop and apply new knowledge in a way that suits their needs and builds on their strengths.

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4. Competency-based demonstrations of learning

We believe strongly in moving from assessing professional development by the number of hours teachers have attended to prioritizing the?application and impact?of the desired learning in practice. With this approach, professional learning shifts from something we do to educators to an improvement process that impacts learning for all.?

Check out the?self-assessment?and our?courses! We can’t wait to hear what you think.

Learn more about how to earn our?micro-credential?from Digital Promise.

RESOURCE ROUNDUP

Explore resources about what makes impactful professional learning to help shape your plans for the summer and upcoming school year.

1. Explore a learner-centered approach to professional learning in practice.?See how Houston ISD provided educators access to diverse learning opportunities and prioritized demonstrations of learning and micro-credentialing over seat-time to transform professional learning by?Developing Confidence and Competence through Personalized Professional Learning.

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2. Discover what's behind the positive feedback and results from our professional learning.?If you missed our webinar,?Revealing Our Secrets: Professional Learning that Makes an Impact, this summer is a great time to watch it and learn what educators want in professional learning and where to find it.?

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3. More does not always mean better.?Moving Toward Competency-Based Professional Learning?asserts that it’s not about more or less professional learning, but about the quality of the content and experience. Bonus, the authors share insights about what actually improves practices.?

?LET'S SHARE OUR BRIGHT SPOTS!

What professional learning experience has really resonated with you?

Share your?#LCBrightSpots?on social media!

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