Professional development is often led by former educators or individuals who have never been in a classroom. This professional development does little to improve teaching quality, leaving educators without a path forward (Goodwin, 2016). To frame effective professional development, we must examine a few areas, including constructivism.
Constructivism is the theory that learners build on their prior learning, which requires students to be active in their education (National University, 2023). The principles of constructivism can be applied to both student and educator learning.
Knowledge is unique and constructed based on prior knowledge.
Learning is active; learners must ask questions, discuss, and apply what they have learned.
Knowledge is socially constructed, meaning collaboration is vital to gaining skills.
Knowledge is personal, and everyone has individual experiences that allow them to interact with material differently.
(National University, 2023)
A constructivist classroom focuses on tailored instruction to meet learners' needs and promotes effective collaboration to continue learning. If we focus on professional development, these skills will be vital to making educator teaching more effective. Collaboration is needed to return these tools to the classroom (EdCan Network Le Réseau Édcan, 2016). Professional development aims to build on a teacher's prior experiences and develop skills to propel them forward.
Collaboration is a critical area that demands our attention. Mere collaboration for its own sake will not suffice; rather, it must be effective. Achieving this effectiveness necessitates educators uniting around a shared goal and embracing common educational beliefs. For instance, when math teachers discuss digital tools to bolster student engagement in mathematics, the collaborative efforts yield far greater effectiveness than if all general education teachers convened to explore technology. Focusing on our efforts can make professional development effective and productive for all members involved.
References:
EdCan Network Le Réseau Édcan. (2016, May 19). Innovation that sticks case study - OCSB: Collaborative professional development [Video]. YouTube. Innovation That Sticks Case Study - OCSB: Collaborative Professional Development
Goodwin, B. (2016). Does Teacher Collaboration Promote Teacher Growth? [PDF]. Retrieved from https://www.dropbox.com/s/hml95bj705dvkzw/Does%20Teacher%20Collaboration%20Promote%20Teacher%20Growth.pdf?dl=0
National University. (2023, August 14). Constructivism in Education: What Is Constructivism? | NU. National University. https://www.nu.edu/blog/what-is-constructivism-in-education/
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