Hello, everyone, and thank you for joining me today. My name is James, and I am thrilled to be here to discuss a topic I am passionate about - revamping professional learning for the future.

 

Now, you may be asking yourselves, why is this topic so important? Well, in today's rapidly changing education landscape, professional learning plays a crucial role in ensuring that our teachers are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to support student learning effectively.

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And that's why I have to ask you, are we settling for less? Are the current models of professional learning truly meeting the needs of our teachers?

Together, we will take a closer look at our current professional learning models and why we should consider an alternative approach. I will share research and evidence to support this case for change and discuss the fundamental principles of effective professional learning.

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What can you expect from this presentation? 

 

We will start by setting the context and posing that thought-provoking question, "Are we settling for less?" Next, I will highlight the importance of professional learning and provide an overview of the current scenario.

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By the end of this presentation, my hope is that you will have a better understanding of why it's time to revamp our approach to professional learning and what steps we can take to ensure that our teachers have the support they need to meet the needs of our students effectively.

 

Are you ready to dive in and explore the future of professional learning?

Now, let's look at our organization's current professional learning scenario. While we have made great strides in this area, we still must overcome several challenges and limitations. If I were a betting man, many of you would likely need more support or resources to participate effectively in professional learning. Many of you also find that our professional learning opportunities may not align with our individual needs and interests. These are just a few of the limitations that we are facing with the current PL model.

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We must address these limitations because we cannot afford to settle for less. Professional learning is essential to our growth and development as educators, and it plays a critical role in the success of our students. By striving for excellence in professional learning, we can create a better future for our organization and, ultimately, for our students.

 

This is why change is necessary. And this is also an opportunity for us to create a more effective and efficient PL model. One that is tailored to our individual needs, interests, and goals. And one that supports our growth and development as educators.

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As we've seen, the current professional learning model has its limitations. But, rather than settling for less, let's embrace the opportunity to create a PL model that supports our growth and development as educators and benefits our students in the long run. Are we ready to make the necessary changes for the future of education?

I highly encourage each of you to take a look at two significant studies in the field of professional learning in preparation for our next session: Gulamhussein's "Teaching the Teachers Effective Professional Development in an Era of High Stakes Accountability" and Heather Hill's "The Mirage: Confronting the Hard Truth About Our Quest for Teacher Development." These studies provide a comprehensive overview of the current PL scenario and the current model's limitations.

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Now, it's essential to acknowledge that the current professional learning model has limitations that must be addressed to improve the impact professional learning has on teacher practice and student learning. These limitations include, issues with implementation, lack of focus on active learning, and low levels of engagement among teachers.

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That's why we're proposing an alternative professional learning model built on five key professional learning principles, which include:

 

Step 1: Professional learning that is significant and ongoing.

Step 2: Provides implementation support

Step 3: Offers active engagement

Step 4: Delivers effective modeling.

Step 5: Provides specific content.

 

By embracing these principles, outlined in the Standards for Professional Learning (2019), we can ensure that teachers have the support they need to improve their practice and help their students succeed.

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With this in mind, let's move on to the next section to determine how to embrace the alternative professional learning model for improved teacher practice and learning.

We all know how important it is to continually develop and improve our skills, especially in a field as dynamic and vital as education. But the reality is that the current professional learning model is only sometimes meeting the needs of our teachers and students.

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Research has shown that poor professional learning leads to decreased teacher satisfaction and higher turnover rates, negatively impacting student learning outcomes. This is a problem that we cannot ignore.

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Let me give you a concrete example. One school district implemented the alternative model and saw a significant increase in teacher satisfaction and student achievement. Teachers felt more supported and empowered in their practice, and students received higher education.

 

Implementing this model is essential to our success as educators and the success of our students. By taking action, we can create a more effective and sustainable professional learning model that will benefit our teachers and students. We must not settle for less.

Embracing active learning and constructivism principles is crucial for effectively implementing the alternative PL model. 

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Do you believe that?

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Active learning is a key component of the alternative PL model. It's about engaging learners in learning, not just passively receiving information. Doing this can increase engagement and ultimately improve learner outcomes. This approach also encourages learners to constantly reflect on their practice and adjust accordingly.

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Constructivism is another essential principle of the alternative PL model. It's about learners constructing their own understanding of the world through experience and reflection. This approach aligns with the alternative PL model because it supports the development of deep understanding and encourages lifelong learning. It also allows for a more learner-centered and personalized learning experience.

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The benefits of taking an alternative approach to PL are that we get the opportunity to see increased teacher efficacy, improved teacher practice, and enhanced learning by embracing active learning and constructivism principles. These benefits are at the core of why we're discussing the alternative PL model today.

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So how do we effectively implement these principles in the alternative PL model? It's important to start with small changes, such as incorporating more hands-on activities or encouraging student reflection. Encourage collaboration with your colleagues to share strategies and best practices. Remember, this is a journey; progress takes time, but the result is well worth the effort.

 

So now, let's take a step forward and take action toward a brighter future for professional learning in our organization.

Are you ready to ignite change and challenge traditional professional learning? Let's take the first step together, toward a more innovative and impactful PL experience.

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Let's build the foundation for our professional growth together! By taking these steps, we'll create a learning experience that fosters collaboration, inspires innovative thinking, and caters to our unique needs and goals.

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Start by getting to know your learners and their unique needs and interests. Discover what they crave in a professional learning experience through surveys, focus groups, or personalized conversations.

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Next, Let's bring our professional learning to life! By participating in interactive activities, sparking meaningful discussions, and working together on collaborative projects, we can fully immerse ourselves in this transformative learning experience.

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Let's face it, learning will not come to life until we begin customizing it to each person's unique needs and learning styles. Let's tailor our professional learning (PL) experience to make it a truly personal and enriching journey.

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Let's face it; the world is changing, so we must unleash the Power of Technology! Let's embrace cutting-edge tools like video conferencing, gamification, and virtual reality to make our professional learning journey more exciting and impactful!

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Let's empower the individual by allowing them to reflect on their newfound knowledge empowering them to bring it to life in our classrooms. It's important that we allow our professional learners the time to personalize their professional growth in order to witness it positively impact our students.

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We must make a commitment to offering ongoing support and endless opportunities for professional growth through the continuous learning process.

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Finally, we must track our progress. We must regularly measure and reflect on our growth and development through the PL program and make any necessary tweaks to ensure we reach new heights and fulfill our potential.

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Are we prepared to adopt a new model for professional learning that promises to improve teacher practice and student outcomes?

 

We've discussed the need for an alternative professional learning model in our organization. The current model has limitations we can no longer ignore, and we've shown how the alternative model addresses those limitations and aligns with the 5 key principles of effective PL. 

 

We've also discussed the opportunities for improvement in teacher practice and student learning with the alternative PL model. These are the key takeaways from our presentation today."

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So, what can we do about this? First, we must act now and embrace this alternative professional learning model. This new model will not only benefit the teachers, but it will also positively impact the students. By adopting this new model, we can ensure that our teachers are well-equipped to handle the demands of the current educational landscape and provide the best education to our students.

 

I implore you to take immediate action and start the process of adopting an alternative model. Let's not settle for less and aim for excellence in professional learning for our teachers and students.

I want to leave you with some final thoughts and recommendations. Firstly, there are a number of resources and tools available that can help with the implementation of this new model. Utilize these resources and seek out additional support if needed.

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Secondly, it's important to remember that change is always challenging, but it's necessary for growth and improvement. So keep an open mind and be willing to embrace the principles of active learning and constructivism, as these will be critical for the effective implementation of the alternative model.

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​Finally, I want to thank you all for your attention and engagement throughout this presentation. Your feedback and support are greatly appreciated. Let's work together to revamp professional learning for the future and provide our teachers and students with the best education possible.