Designing and Implementing Effective Professional Learning

John M. Murray - Educational Consultant, Tennesse
Designing and Implementing Effective Professional Learning
September 2013 | 256 pages | Corwin
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ISBN: 9781483331188
Available from January 0001
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ISBN: 9781452257792
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Description

For sustained success, educators must commit to their own lifelong improvement.

Commitment to high-quality professional learning is a common aspect of educational systems of the the world’s highest-achieving nations. Despite evidence that effective professional learning can be a powerful lever for school improvement, much of the professional development (PD) that is conducted in the United States has had limited impact on teacher practice...

In these pages, John Murray identifies research-based characteristics of effective teacher professional learning, detailing eight strategies for planning and executing professional development programs and evaluating their results. Content includes:

  • The proven “backward” approach to articulating the goals of your PD program
  • Descriptions of innovative and effective designs for professional learning such as Lesson Study and Instructional Rounds  
  • Powerful approaches to designing and implementing  online PD

Packed with templates that make getting started easy, this all-in-one resource will facilitate deep professional learning that truly enhances student achievement.

“This book is one that any teacher or administrator who is involved with leading professional learning and continuous improvement—new to the field or with great experience—would find great value in.”
— Jeff Ronneberg, Superintendent
Spring Lake Park Schools, MN

“This is a critical resource that should be on every education leader’s bookshelf. You will be challenged to find another book with so much helpful information on so many important professional development strategies that you can get started on immediately to facilitate real change in your school.”
— John D. Ross, Educational Consultant
Pulaski, VA

Contents

List of Figures

List of Figures

Preface

Preface

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

About the Author

  • 1. The Need for Change
  • Traditional Approaches to Teacher Professional Learning
  • New Demands Require Change
  • 2. Effective Teacher Professional Learning
  • Theoretical Models of Professional Development Action
  • Characteristics of Effective Professional Development
  • Summary
  • 3. Context: Building an Atmosphere to Support Teacher Learning
  • Learning Communities
  • Leadership
  • Resources
  • Summary
  • 4. Content: Specifying the Goals of Professional Learning Activities
  • Identifying Goals
  • Evaluating Your Professional Development Program
  • Summary
  • 5. Process: Selecting Specific Activities and Strategies
  • Learning Designs
  • Implementation
  • Summary
  • 6. Lesson Study
  • A Cycle of Instructional Improvement
  • The Lesson Study Philosophy
  • Lesson Study Steps
  • The Essential Elements of Lesson Study
  • Challenges to Engaging in Lesson Study: Misconceptions to Avoid
  • Summary
  • 7. Critical Friends
  • The Origins of Critical Friends
  • The Philosophy of CFGs
  • Critical Friends Steps
  • The Essential Elements of Critical Friends
  • Benefits of CFGs
  • Summary
  • 8. School Rounds
  • A Lesson From Medicine
  • The Rationale for School Rounds
  • The Steps in School Rounds
  • Learning With Rounds
  • Summary
  • 9. Action Research
  • A Hands-On Approach
  • Why Choose Action Research?
  • The Action Research Process
  • Benefits of Action Research
  • Summary
  • 10. Mentoring
  • The Power of Relationships
  • Why Mentoring Matters
  • Essential Steps in Building a Mentoring Program
  • The Work of Mentoring
  • The Role of the Principal
  • Essential Elements
  • Summary
  • 11. Peer Coaching
  • Harnessing Peer-to-Peer Wisdom
  • The Rationale for Peer Coaching
  • Essential Steps of the Peer Coaching Process
  • Essential Elements
  • Summary
  • 12. Online Professional Development
  • The Rationale for Online Professional Development
  • A Framework for Implementing Online Professional Development
  • Monitoring and Evaluating Online Professional Development
  • Summary
  • 13. Personal Learning Networks
  • Going Global
  • The Power of PLNs
  • The Process of Creating and Cultivating PLNs
  • Getting Started
  • Using Tools to Connect: Early PLN Formation
  • Advanced PLN Formation: What Does It Look Like?
  • The Challenges of PLNs
  • Summary
  • 14.The Challenges of Introducing New Forms of Teacher Professional Learning
  • How Have Teachers Experienced Past Professional Development?
  • Are Teacher Needs and Preferences Being Considered?
  • Are Teachers Treated With Respect?
  • Are Teachers Being Asked to Collaborate, Think, and Innovate?
  • Do School Leaders Make the New Strategies Easy to Implement?
  • Are Professional Development Activities Linked to a Compelling Purpose?
  • Breaking Down Barriers
  • Summary
  • 15. A Call to Action

References

References

Index

Index

Additional materials

Description

For sustained success, educators must commit to their own lifelong improvement.

Commitment to high-quality professional learning is a common aspect of educational systems of the the world’s highest-achieving nations. Despite evidence that effective professional learning can be a powerful lever for school improvement, much of the professional development (PD) that is conducted in the United States has had limited impact on teacher practice...

In these pages, John Murray identifies research-based characteristics of effective teacher professional learning, detailing eight strategies for planning and executing professional development programs and evaluating their results. Content includes:

  • The proven “backward” approach to articulating the goals of your PD program
  • Descriptions of innovative and effective designs for professional learning such as Lesson Study and Instructional Rounds  
  • Powerful approaches to designing and implementing  online PD

Packed with templates that make getting started easy, this all-in-one resource will facilitate deep professional learning that truly enhances student achievement.

“This book is one that any teacher or administrator who is involved with leading professional learning and continuous improvement—new to the field or with great experience—would find great value in.”
— Jeff Ronneberg, Superintendent
Spring Lake Park Schools, MN

“This is a critical resource that should be on every education leader’s bookshelf. You will be challenged to find another book with so much helpful information on so many important professional development strategies that you can get started on immediately to facilitate real change in your school.”
— John D. Ross, Educational Consultant
Pulaski, VA

Contents

List of Figures

List of Figures

Preface

Preface

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

About the Author

  • 1. The Need for Change
  • Traditional Approaches to Teacher Professional Learning
  • New Demands Require Change
  • 2. Effective Teacher Professional Learning
  • Theoretical Models of Professional Development Action
  • Characteristics of Effective Professional Development
  • Summary
  • 3. Context: Building an Atmosphere to Support Teacher Learning
  • Learning Communities
  • Leadership
  • Resources
  • Summary
  • 4. Content: Specifying the Goals of Professional Learning Activities
  • Identifying Goals
  • Evaluating Your Professional Development Program
  • Summary
  • 5. Process: Selecting Specific Activities and Strategies
  • Learning Designs
  • Implementation
  • Summary
  • 6. Lesson Study
  • A Cycle of Instructional Improvement
  • The Lesson Study Philosophy
  • Lesson Study Steps
  • The Essential Elements of Lesson Study
  • Challenges to Engaging in Lesson Study: Misconceptions to Avoid
  • Summary
  • 7. Critical Friends
  • The Origins of Critical Friends
  • The Philosophy of CFGs
  • Critical Friends Steps
  • The Essential Elements of Critical Friends
  • Benefits of CFGs
  • Summary
  • 8. School Rounds
  • A Lesson From Medicine
  • The Rationale for School Rounds
  • The Steps in School Rounds
  • Learning With Rounds
  • Summary
  • 9. Action Research
  • A Hands-On Approach
  • Why Choose Action Research?
  • The Action Research Process
  • Benefits of Action Research
  • Summary
  • 10. Mentoring
  • The Power of Relationships
  • Why Mentoring Matters
  • Essential Steps in Building a Mentoring Program
  • The Work of Mentoring
  • The Role of the Principal
  • Essential Elements
  • Summary
  • 11. Peer Coaching
  • Harnessing Peer-to-Peer Wisdom
  • The Rationale for Peer Coaching
  • Essential Steps of the Peer Coaching Process
  • Essential Elements
  • Summary
  • 12. Online Professional Development
  • The Rationale for Online Professional Development
  • A Framework for Implementing Online Professional Development
  • Monitoring and Evaluating Online Professional Development
  • Summary
  • 13. Personal Learning Networks
  • Going Global
  • The Power of PLNs
  • The Process of Creating and Cultivating PLNs
  • Getting Started
  • Using Tools to Connect: Early PLN Formation
  • Advanced PLN Formation: What Does It Look Like?
  • The Challenges of PLNs
  • Summary
  • 14.The Challenges of Introducing New Forms of Teacher Professional Learning
  • How Have Teachers Experienced Past Professional Development?
  • Are Teacher Needs and Preferences Being Considered?
  • Are Teachers Treated With Respect?
  • Are Teachers Being Asked to Collaborate, Think, and Innovate?
  • Do School Leaders Make the New Strategies Easy to Implement?
  • Are Professional Development Activities Linked to a Compelling Purpose?
  • Breaking Down Barriers
  • Summary
  • 15. A Call to Action

References

References

Index

Index

Additional materials

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Designing and Implementing Effective Professional Learning

John M. Murray
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September 2013 | 256 pages | Corwin

Format Published Date ISBN Price
Paperback 27/02/2023 9781452257792 $40.95
Lifetime 27/02/2023 9781483331188 $37.00

For sustained success, educators must commit to their own lifelong improvement.

Commitment to high-quality professional learning is a common aspect of educational systems of the the world’s highest-achieving nations. Despite evidence that effective professional learning can be a powerful lever for school improvement, much of the professional development (PD) that is conducted in the United States has had limited impact on teacher practice...

In these pages, John Murray identifies research-based characteristics of effective teacher professional learning, detailing eight strategies for planning and executing professional development programs and evaluating their results. Content includes:

  • The proven “backward” approach to articulating the goals of your PD program
  • Descriptions of innovative and effective designs for professional learning such as Lesson Study and Instructional Rounds  
  • Powerful approaches to designing and implementing  online PD

Packed with templates that make getting started easy, this all-in-one resource will facilitate deep professional learning that truly enhances student achievement.

“This book is one that any teacher or administrator who is involved with leading professional learning and continuous improvement—new to the field or with great experience—would find great value in.”
— Jeff Ronneberg, Superintendent
Spring Lake Park Schools, MN

“This is a critical resource that should be on every education leader’s bookshelf. You will be challenged to find another book with so much helpful information on so many important professional development strategies that you can get started on immediately to facilitate real change in your school.”
— John D. Ross, Educational Consultant
Pulaski, VA


Table Of Contents:

  • List of Figures
  • Preface
  • Acknowledgments
  • About the Author
  • 1. The Need for Change
  • Traditional Approaches to Teacher Professional Learning
  • New Demands Require Change
  • 2. Effective Teacher Professional Learning
  • Theoretical Models of Professional Development Action
  • Characteristics of Effective Professional Development
  • Summary
  • 3. Context: Building an Atmosphere to Support Teacher Learning
  • Learning Communities
  • Leadership
  • Resources
  • Summary
  • 4. Content: Specifying the Goals of Professional Learning Activities
  • Identifying Goals
  • Evaluating Your Professional Development Program
  • Summary
  • 5. Process: Selecting Specific Activities and Strategies
  • Learning Designs
  • Implementation
  • Summary
  • 6. Lesson Study
  • A Cycle of Instructional Improvement
  • The Lesson Study Philosophy
  • Lesson Study Steps
  • The Essential Elements of Lesson Study
  • Challenges to Engaging in Lesson Study: Misconceptions to Avoid
  • Summary
  • 7. Critical Friends
  • The Origins of Critical Friends
  • The Philosophy of CFGs
  • Critical Friends Steps
  • The Essential Elements of Critical Friends
  • Benefits of CFGs
  • Summary
  • 8. School Rounds
  • A Lesson From Medicine
  • The Rationale for School Rounds
  • The Steps in School Rounds
  • Learning With Rounds
  • Summary
  • 9. Action Research
  • A Hands-On Approach
  • Why Choose Action Research?
  • The Action Research Process
  • Benefits of Action Research
  • Summary
  • 10. Mentoring
  • The Power of Relationships
  • Why Mentoring Matters
  • Essential Steps in Building a Mentoring Program
  • The Work of Mentoring
  • The Role of the Principal
  • Essential Elements
  • Summary
  • 11. Peer Coaching
  • Harnessing Peer-to-Peer Wisdom
  • The Rationale for Peer Coaching
  • Essential Steps of the Peer Coaching Process
  • Essential Elements
  • Summary
  • 12. Online Professional Development
  • The Rationale for Online Professional Development
  • A Framework for Implementing Online Professional Development
  • Monitoring and Evaluating Online Professional Development
  • Summary
  • 13. Personal Learning Networks
  • Going Global
  • The Power of PLNs
  • The Process of Creating and Cultivating PLNs
  • Getting Started
  • Using Tools to Connect: Early PLN Formation
  • Advanced PLN Formation: What Does It Look Like?
  • The Challenges of PLNs
  • Summary
  • 14.The Challenges of Introducing New Forms of Teacher Professional Learning
  • How Have Teachers Experienced Past Professional Development?
  • Are Teacher Needs and Preferences Being Considered?
  • Are Teachers Treated With Respect?
  • Are Teachers Being Asked to Collaborate, Think, and Innovate?
  • Do School Leaders Make the New Strategies Easy to Implement?
  • Are Professional Development Activities Linked to a Compelling Purpose?
  • Breaking Down Barriers
  • Summary
  • 15. A Call to Action
  • References
  • Index

Recent Product Reviews:

"This is a critical resource that should be on every education leader’s bookshelf. Anyone involved with staff development will find help in the clear and concise information Murray provides. You will be challenged to find another book with so much helpful information on so many important professional development strategies that you can get started on immediately to facilitate real change in your school."
John D. Ross, Educational Consultant
"This book is one that any teacher or administrator who is involved with leading professional learning and continuous improvement—new to the field or with great experience—would find great value in. "
Jeff Ronneberg, Superintendent, Spring Lake Park Schools, MN
"Library media specialists will find this information helpful in their role as school leaders and staff developers. Short, readable chapters, solid information, lists and many tables contribute to the book’s extreme usefulness."
Library Media Connection, August/September 2014

Recommendations