Preparing for the Changing Faces of Education: Effective Professional Development Models

Abstract

The face of education is constantly changing. The traditional classroom with rows of desks facing a chalkboard is being demolished and replaced with movable tables, Smart Boards and laptops, project-based learning, differentiated lessons and more authentic assessment. To be effective and to accommodate a rapidly changing educational system, teachers must be trained and equipped. Regardless of the innovation or change, the process of traveling from a novice to an expert teacher is an ongoing journey which requires adequate training. The question remains as to what is the most effective method of moving teachers along the trajectory from novice to expert. Research has shown how ineffective single “one-off” workshops are at resulting in real change in a teacher’s practice. Effective professional development to develop expertise in any area, however, should allow for sufficient time for practice, collaboration, self-reflection, and constructive feedback.