Essex Research School’s Leadership Series: Effective Professional Development
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Last term, Essex Research School launched a professional development (PD) leadership series focusing on strategies for leaders in designing and implementing effective PD to improve outcomes for all learners.
The series aims to provide practical guidance and evidence-based strategies for school leaders to develop effective PD that enhances teaching quality and positively impacts student outcomes.
Below is a summary and link to each of the two new publications.
Brick by Brick: Constructing Knowledge in Professional Development
In "Brick by Brick: Constructing Knowledge in Professional Development," Sarah-Louise Johnston emphasises the importance of building teacher knowledge through cumulative, intentional, and relevant professional development (PD). She highlights two key mechanisms from the Education Endowment Foundation's guidance:
- Managing Cognitive Load: Introduce new concepts in manageable increments to prevent overwhelming teachers.
- Revisiting Prior Learning: Regularly revisit key ideas to reinforce understanding and facilitate application.
The article advises PD leaders to set clear, specific goals connected to classroom practice and to design sessions that scaffold learning effectively. This includes breaking down complex concepts into smaller parts and using visual aids to enhance comprehension. By implementing these strategies, PD can become a cohesive journey that empowers teachers to grow and improve student outcomes.
For a more in-depth exploration of these strategies, you can read the full article here.
Not another PD initiative!
In "Not another PD initiative!", Sarah-Louise Johnston emphasises the importance of motivating teachers to engage in professional development. She identifies three key mechanisms from the Education Endowment Foundation's guidance:
- Setting and Agreeing on Goals: Collaboratively establish clear objectives that align individual teacher needs with school priorities to foster ownership and relevance.
- Presenting Information from a Credible Source: Deliver PD content through trusted and relatable sources, whether internal experts or external specialists, to build trust and demonstrate value.
- Providing Affirmation and Reinforcement: Recognise and celebrate teachers' efforts in implementing new strategies to maintain motivation and commitment.
By implementing these strategies, school leaders can transform PD from a top-down mandate into a collaborative and impactful journey of professional growth.
For a more in-depth exploration of these strategies, you can read the full article here.
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