As educators, our journey of learning never stops. We constantly strive to provide the best education to our students, and that means continually developing our skills. While workshops and conferences are traditional avenues for professional development, let's explore some unconventional methods that can truly enhance our teaching practices and take us to new heights of growth and inspiration.
Let us dive into out-of-the-box strategies that foster a deeper understanding of subjects, spark creativity, and encourage the development of innovative ideas. Get ready to think outside the classroom and embark on an exciting adventure of ongoing professional development!
| Strategy Name |
Definition |
How to Implement |
| Learning Circles |
Small group learning communities that focus on a specific topic or skill. |
- Form small groups of 4-6 individuals.
- Select a topic or skill that everyone wants to learn more about.
- Have each member of the group take turns leading the discussion and sharing resources.
- Meet regularly, either in person or virtually, to share progress and insights.
|
| Collaborative Learning |
Learning that takes place through discussion, feedback, and reflection among peers. |
- Encourage teachers to form cross-disciplinary or cross-grade level teams.
- Have them collaborate on planning lessons or projects together.
- Schedule regular meetings for the teams to discuss progress and provide feedback to each other.
- Provide opportunities for the teams to showcase their work to the school community.
|
| Peer Coaching |
A process where one teacher observes and provides feedback to another teacher to improve their teaching practices. |
- Pair teachers with complementary strengths and weaknesses.
- Have them observe each other's classrooms and provide constructive feedback.
- Meet regularly to discuss progress and provide support.
- Encourage teachers to implement feedback in their practice and reflect on the results.
|
| Unconferences |
Participant-driven professional development events that are open, collaborative, and self-organising. |
- Invite educators from different schools or districts to attend.
- Have participants suggest and vote on topics to discuss.
- Encourage participants to lead sessions based on their interests and expertise.
- Allow time for reflection and sharing of ideas and insights.
|
| Micro learning |
Short, focused bursts of learning that are designed to be completed in 5-15 minutes. |
- Create a library of microlearning resources on a variety of topics.
- Encourage teachers to access the resources on their own time and at their own pace.
- Provide incentives for completing the microlearning activities, such as badges or certificates.
- Follow up with opportunities for discussion and reflection on the learning.
|
Professional development is an ongoing process, and there are many strategies available for educators to continue to grow and develop their skills. While traditional workshops and conferences have their place, it is important to explore new and innovative strategies that can lead to more effective professional development. By implementing out-of-the-box strategies, teachers can take ownership of their learning and enhance their teaching practices. Let us make professional development a priority and continue to grow and develop as educators.
If you want to dive deeper into this area of teaching and learning, please feel free to check out our course on Reflective Teaching.
