Yesterday I had the opportunity to attend EdCamp Hamilton and a session entitled “Sit’n Git Stay’n Pray: There Has to be a Better Way” which examined how we could change professional development to perhaps make it more meaningful. This is something I have been reflecting on my own practice as a technology coach and someone who is doing more PD for educators. There was a great quote at EdCamp Hamilton by one the participants:
“We talk about Pedagogy but we don’t talk about Andragogy”
When I think about most of the PD I have experienced over my career at workshops, conferences, and meetings it is usually the traditional method of someone standing at the front of the room and talking to me while I listen and take notes. As a technology coach who is trying to encourage teachers to move beyond this practice, I think I need to model an alternative. I have heard some very creative ideas over Voxer and through EdCamps such as moving training to on-line methods, flipping meetings, and even having students come in to help with PD for teachers.
In addition, I have been playing with the idea of how you might use the SAMR model to create and self-examine the PD you are considering. The traditional adult PD approach is likely substitution or augmentation. But, how do we get our PD to look like modification or redefinition to model an empower teachers to do the same in their classrooms? As leaders how can we expect innovation when we don’t model it ourselves?
What kind of PD do you find most valuable? I thought about what kind of PD I tend to enjoy given my own learning styles and interests. EdCamp is one of my favourite methods, as I get to engage in conversations with other educators and share ideas/concerns that I am working on in my own practice. I also really enjoy Twitter and Voxer as these platforms allow me to connect globally with forward thinking educators who tend to be doing things a little bit differently and are strong innovative leaders. I really enjoy reading books/blogs about topics that I am interested in learning more about, and having the opportunity to talk and discuss thinking with other educators. Finally, I really appreciate when the speaker can connect ideas to the classroom so I can see concrete examples being used.
When I reflect on what I think about most teachers might enjoy, we are really very similar to our students. We want choice, a forum to share our voices, a means to feel validated, and an opportunity to interact and connect with other learners in meaningful and empowering ways. We also love the ability to create during workshops and have hands-on opportunities.
What forms of PD do you enjoy? What strategies are you finding successful as you work with adult learners?