Self-Study as Professional Development

Supported Individual Learning

National lists can be used as part of an Individual Education Plan that might include reading, writing, researching, reflecting, reporting.

• A teacher subscribes to a list and has a burning question about her practice
• The teacher shares her concern with the moderator
• The moderator encourages her to post it to the list
• The teacher posts, and the moderator encourages subscribers to take a week and share resources
• The teacher pulls from those resources and tries a new strategy in her practice
• The teacher reflects, revises, identifies new questions
• The moderator encourages her to share back with the list, and based on her experience, what she recommends for others in a similar situation
• The teacher might use a guided format such that the moderator proposes or use her own
• The teacher shares back with the list.
• Subscribers may explore the issues in greater depth, clarify, identify meaning as individuals and for the group.
• Summary of learning and professional wisdom may be posted in the ALE Wiki and could become a resource for future discussions.

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Examples

New York: Addressing Diversity in Professional Development Creativity, Institutions and Online Resources: Disseminating ideas related to diversity in PD

Program-based Professional Development and Program Improvement

Job-embedded: Ex: Hybrid models combining the use of program-based inquiry and online research using the List archives; using the Lists as resources for curriculum or publications development; finding the “right” reading assessment for one’s program.

• A program uses staff meeting time for teacher professional development, in which teachers are the staff development leaders.
• Teachers identify a need and set to task in researching professional wisdom, research, and useful tools or resources.
• One or more teachers turn to the NIFL lists as one source.
• A teacher who is using the list for her own PD might let the list moderator know of her intentions.
• The teacher posts her question(s), and she and the moderator encourage folks to share resources.
• The teacher pulls from those resources and tries a new strategy in her practice and revises, and/or shares the information with teachers at the next staff meeting or retreat.
• The teacher or a group of teachers share back with the list the resources gathered, a written reflection of the event or learning, and/or their recommendations for others in a similar situation.
• Moderator or teacher captures this professional wisdom and resources on the ALE Wiki, so that it can continue to serve as resources for others.

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Examples

Oakland California: Innovation in Accountability Teacher-led Participatory Staff Development Changes Assessment