The current issue of ELT NEWS focuses on professional development.
Professional development is an important factor in any industry, but perhaps none so much as in education. After all, who knows the value of learning better than teachers? Due to the fact that this professional practice can affect student learning, classroom management, and a variety of other important key performance indicators, the learning process for teachers has been studied much more closely than in many other fields.
Professional development for teachers consists of programmes and activities designed to enhance their knowledge, skills, and expertise in their teaching practice. It has many forms, including ongoing classes, periodic seminars or workshops, in-class observations, collaborative learning sessions, or support groups.
Teacher development has emerged over the last decade as an identifiable area of study and much has been written on the subject. The teacher development literature has served to disseminate information on and ideas for improving teachers' and, by extension, schools' performance. It has provided a forum for discussion about the future of the teaching profession and the nature of teaching as a job.
Teacher development refers to the ongoing process of improving a teacher's knowledge, skills, and expertise in teaching. It is a crucial aspect of education because it enables teachers to continually enhance their teaching practices and effectiveness in the classroom.
Teacher development can take many forms, including attending professional development workshops and conferences, engaging in peer collaboration and mentoring, participating in online courses and webinars, and pursuing advanced degrees or certifications. Additionally, teacher development can also involve reflection on one's own teaching practices, seeking feedback from colleagues and students, and staying up-to-date with the latest research and trends in education.
Effective teacher development can have a significant impact on student learning outcomes, as it enables teachers to continuously adapt and improve their instructional strategies to meet the needs of diverse learners. As such, it is essential for educational institutions to prioritize and invest in teacher development opportunities.
Teacher development is necessary for several reasons.
Firstly, teaching is a highly complex and demanding profession that requires ongoing learning and development. Teachers need to stay up-to-date with the latest research, teaching techniques, and technology to effectively engage and support their students. Professional development programmes can provide teachers with the skills and knowledge they need to improve their practice and stay current in their field.
Secondly, teacher development can help improve student learning outcomes. When teachers have access to high-quality professional development programmes, they are better equipped to create engaging and effective learning environments that meet the needs of all students. Teachers who continuously develop their skills and knowledge can also be better equipped to identify and address the learning needs of individual students, resulting in improved student outcomes.
Lastly, teacher development can help increase job satisfaction and retention. When teachers feel supported and valued through professional development opportunities, they are more likely to feel engaged and motivated in their roles. This can lead to higher job satisfaction and a lower likelihood of burnout, which can ultimately improve teacher retention rates and the overall quality of education in schools.
Effective teacher professional development:
- Focuses on content
Successful teacher professional development concentrates on teaching strategies associated with specific curriculum content that supports teacher learning within their classroom contexts.
- Incorporates active learning utilizing adult learning theory
Teacher learning that offers hands-on experience designing and practicing new teaching strategies and skills, helps teachers overcome challenges in their day-to-day practice.
- Supports collaboration, typically in job-embedded contexts
Active learning which creates space for teachers to share ideas and collaborate often takes place in job-embedded contexts that relate new instructional strategies to teachers’ students and classrooms.
- Uses models and modeling of effective practice
Good teacher learning gives access to lesson plans, sample student work, observations of peer teachers, and video or written cases of accomplished teaching.
- Provides coaching and expert support
School leaders should provide access to master teachers and experts who share their specialized knowledge, either as one-on-one coaches in the classroom, as facilitators of group workshops or as remote mentors using technology to communicate with educators.
- Offers opportunities for feedback and reflection
To develop professionally, teachers must have time to think about, receive input on, and make changes to their practice by incorporating feedback.
- Maintains a sustained duration
Finally, an effective teacher development programme provides adequate time (over weeks, months, and/or years) to learn, practice, implement, and reflect upon new strategies that facilitate changes in their practice.
In summary, teacher development is essential for providing teachers with the skills and knowledge they need to improve their practice, enhance student learning outcomes, and increase job satisfaction and retention.
