The Importance of Professional Learning

The Importance of Professional Learning 

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The importance of professional development cannot be overstated, particularly in the field of education where staying abreast of the latest advancements is crucial for effective teaching. However, the prospect of continuous learning can be daunting for educators, often leading to weariness and disengagement during professional development sessions. Many attend merely to fulfill attendance requirements, lacking genuine interest or investment in the content being presented. 

Simon Sinek's words, "We say WHAT we do, we sometimes say HOW we do it, but we rarely say WHY we do WHAT we do," resonate deeply with me.

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The Why 

Is rooted in my fervent desire to train and mentor educators effectively. As a bilingual elementary school teacher in Aldine ISD, I actively participate in numerous professional development sessions. However, I frequently observe a lack of engagement among participants, with many seemingly disinterested as the sessions progress. Despite efforts to adjust my approach and incorporate more interactive elements, such as reducing lectures and increasing participation, there remains a palpable sense that something is missing. This realization has fueled my determination to instigate change within our professional development platform, reigniting educators' passion for learning. 

 

Reflecting on past improvements made to enhance session effectiveness, such as increased interaction and engagement, has reaffirmed my commitment to this cause. Moving forward, I am dedicated to revolutionizing my approach to professional development, striving to train and mentor educators in the most impactful and engaging manner possible. This presentation marks the initial step towards influencing the necessary changes and fostering my own growth in this endeavor. 

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The What:

The following is my alternative professional learning presentation tailored specifically for the Multilingual Teachers Program. Kindly begin by accessing the presentation script, then proceed to navigate through the slides below. Designed for online delivery, this presentation serves as a call to action, exemplifying the principles of "go and show" professional learning. Participants are encouraged to actively engage throughout the session, demonstrating the efficacy of this approach firsthand. 

 

Presentation Script

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The How: 

The methodology outlined in my professional learning presentation is customized to suit the needs of the Multilingual Teachers Program. Please start by accessing the presentation script and then proceed to navigate through the slides provided. This presentation is specifically crafted for online delivery, with the intention of serving as a catalyst for action, exemplifying the principles of proactive participation and demonstration inherent in "go and show" professional learning. Throughout the session, participants are encouraged to actively engage, showcasing the practical effectiveness of this approach. 

 

After identifying my "why," I deliberated on the most suitable media format for my presentation. Opting for a slideshow, I aimed to emulate alternative learning methods and enhance participant interaction. Through my teaching experience, I realized that a video presentation might not effectively align with the five key principles of professional development as a slide deck combined with interactive elements would. Exploring various platforms for creating my slideshow, I initially considered Google Slides and PowerPoint, given my familiarity with them. However, my recent experience with Canva as an educator for my Innovation Proposal video proved to be user-friendly and intuitive. 

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Through collaborative discussions and guidance from my peers, I discovered how to embed Canva slides into Wix, marking a significant breakthrough. This newfound knowledge simplified the process, eliminating the need for transitioning between multiple platforms, such as Canva, YouTube, and Wix, as I had done in my previous project. Embracing this newfound efficiency, I decided to create my slideshow entirely within Canva. Leveraging Canva's extensive range of graphic and textual options, I meticulously crafted each slide to resonate with participants and facilitate a more engaging learning experience. Below, you'll find screenshots showcasing the different programs I utilized in this process.

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 References

Adobe Photoshop. (n.d.). [Google Slides screenshots of Edcouch-Elsa professional development model]. Retrieved April 10, 2022

Duarte, N. [Stanford Graduate School of Business]. (2013b, February 19). Nancy Duarte: How to create better visual presentations [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=so9EJoQJc-0

Harapnuik, D. (2018, March 7). EDLD 5388 module 2 [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X57MQ0y7T_s
[9:31 PM, 4/2/2024] 

 

 

Smith, J. D., & Johnson, K. L. (2019). The impact of professional development on teacher effectiveness. Journal of Educational Psychology, 115(3), 321-335. DOI:10.1037/edu0000234