Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Brittini Wade
National University
Abstract
This paper discusses the importance of professional learning activities as discussed in the article
Easton. The article discusses the different strategies and qualities that should be incorporated in
professional learning activities in order to be effective. The idea of professional learning rather
than professional development helps the educators to view themselves as lifelong learners that
Introduction
Education has evolved over the years and in order to be responsive to the students and
their needs, educators must continually reflect on their teaching practices. Most often, teachers
are involved in professional development activities that are usually vital to professional and
organizational growth. However, according to the article titled, “From Professional Development
training offerings that most teachers undergo are not necessarily sufficient. Educators often find
themselves needing to change what they do on a daily basis in order to respond to the needs of
the learners. In order to accomplish this, educators need to consider themselves lifelong learners
and participate in professional learning activities rather than professional development just at the
beginning of the school year. “It is clearer today than ever that educators need to learn, and that’s
why professional learning has replaced professional development. Developing is not enough.
Educators must be knowledgeable and wise. They must know enough in order to
change.” (Brown Easton, 2008). Working toward a goal of incorporating professional learning
for educators throughout the course of the year will allow for a more responsive group of
educators.
According to the Powerful Designs for Professional Learning, there are certain qualities
of professional learning that will ensure it is productive and useful. The professional learning
activities will be a continuous practice throughout the year that will consist of coaching,
mentoring, observing, looking at student work, examining teacher practice, and facilitating
learning. “The focus remains on what is happening with learners (both student and adult) in the
LITERATURE REVIEW !4
classroom, school, and district” (Brown Easton, 2008). Educators should try out a new technique
then work on obtaining data, receive feedback from students or coaches, and reflect on what they
are learning. Professional learning experiences should be content-rich that should lead toward the
collaborative where educators learn from one another by building a shared vision of the school
and working on what matters. Hopefully, this causes the educators to reflect on their teaching
practices while building school culture and a positive environment for the students.
In order to make the professional learning activities be effective, they must be appropriate
and worthwhile. “The most beneficial learning activities are those that are embedded in the work
that educators do” (Brown Easton, 2008). These can include assessment design, book studies,
Professional learning activities must be school-based and start at the bottom with educators
identifying what students need which will determine what the educators need to learn themselves
rather than the administrators making the decisions about the kind of learning the teachers need.
There also needs to be consideration for allowing time to collect student data and analyze the
results. Educators “will need to learn how to learn from one another and when to find resources
elsewhere” (Brown Easton, 2008). Expecting cultural changes is a result of professional learning.
When learning is the focus rather than development, “the focus, attitudes, conversations, and
behaviors change” (Brown Easton, 2008). Educators must go in with the mindset that they are
lifelong learners and will no longer need to “develop” or “train” themselves, but rather learn how
Conclusion
activities instead of professional development once or twice a year. Collaboration is a big part of
this process. Observations, mentoring, coaching, and changing the culture of the school to be
more focused on the needs of the students is a result of professional learning. Teachers are a
prominent aspect of professional learning. There is no longer a need for administrators to dictate
Reference
Phi Delta Kappan, 89(10), 755-759. Retrieved January 14, 2019, from https://www.jstor.org/
stable/40792272.