Professional+Development


 * This chapter was developed by Angel Lopez and Patricia Joseph-Cockburn.**


 * Abstract:**

The purpose of this chapter is to describe the defining characteristics of an effective professional development workshop model in schools. The chapter outlines what Professional Development is, discusses the defining characteristics of current models, and provides suggestions for implementation by K-12 schools for improved student, pre-service, and in-service teacher learning and increased research and inquiry related to educational practice.


 * Introduction:**

It is critical for teachers to have ongoing and regular opportunities to learn from each other. Ongoing professional development keeps teachers up-to-date on new research on how children learn, emerging technology tools for the classroom, new curriculum resources, and more. The best professional development is ongoing, experiential, collaborative, and connected to and derived from working with students and understanding their needs.

This chapter presents the research and workshop models that aim at providing school teachers with the knowledge, abilities and attitudes that are necessary to provide ongoing and effective professional development. Focusing on professional development of teachers and presenting first hand testimonies and research, the present chapter demonstrates how to deal with this issue, so critical for a renewed pedagogy. With proper methods, the knowledge of workshop models, the interest in inplementing technology, the pedagogical skills can all be improved among teachers who often have no or little teacher training.

The main research and discussion of the subject is presented in the form of two technology-based Web 2.0 tools-a Prezi as well as a Photopeach document. To begin, click on each Web 2.0 tool and then navigate through the documents. Our hope is that you will have an enjoyable read of this chapter and you will be more motivated to incorporate some of the ideas from the chapter into making your own experience of professional development an enjoyable, meaningful and relevant one!

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To conclude your reading of the chapter, we thought it would be relevant to provide you with a photopeach video that focuses on the need to gain professional development centered around the Interactive Whiteboards, which include the Smartboard, as well as the Promethean board. This is necessary since these whiteboards appear to be the center of technology advancement in the K-12 classroom.

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Now that you have explored the chapter, then what? Where do you go from here? Like all of the other chapters in this tech book will give you, here are some additional resources that you will find to be enlightening readership. Browse through them and feel free to use any of the resources that you feel will assist you to have a conversation around the face of Profession Development in your own setting. Remember to share with your colleagues as well!

Here is a link on Professional Development and what conversation that would entail for pre-service, as well as in-service teachers.

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We know that sometimes it becomes very expensive to fund professional development workshops or sessions. So if you are thinking about ideas on how to obtains such funds, maybe you should read the information contained at this site. It might very well enlighten you.

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Finally, you might find this link extremely good in terms of satisfying your knowledge on what Professional Development standards you should explore as you plan your next Professional Development activity. After all, if our entire pedagogical practices are based on meeting or achieving expected standards, then our Professional Development sessions should take these important guidelines into consideration. Have fun exploring what these look like.

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The developers of this chapter hope that the chapter was a worthwhile exploration for you. Continue to do your own research as you find more interesting and intriguing ideas relating to Professional Development. Your ongoing contributions to this chapter would prove worthwhile.