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Flexible Professional Development in Action

Teaching is the lifeblood of the educational system. Professional Development (PD) is supposed to equip teachers with the skills and knowledge to navigate the changing landscape. However, the traditional approach to PD often falls short of meeting individual needs.

Propelled by technology and personalized learning, flexibility has emerged as a smart approach towards a super-awesome professional learning and compliance system.
 

The Need for Flexibility

There is no shortage of online and blended learning options, for teachers and students. They often follow the same path as traditional PD models: rigid schedules, one-size-fits-all approaches, and limited opportunities for self-directed learning. 

 

Benefits of Flexible PD

Flexible PD concept offers great benefits for educators. First, it recognizes unique learning styles and preferences. Some educators thrive in face-to-face workshops, while others prefer self-paced online courses. Flexibility allows teachers to choose the approach that best suits their individual needs.

Second, Flexible PD empowers educators to personalize their learning journey. A science teacher may have different PD needs than an ELA teacher - aligned to the same Framework. With flexibility, teachers can select PD opportunities that align with their specific goals and areas of improvement.

Third, Flexible PD works around teachers' schedules. Flexible options, such as on-demand courses and micro-learning modules, enable teachers to access PD anytime and from anywhere.

 

The Role of Technology

Online platforms and digital tools like 2gnoMe have democratized access to higher-quality resources. Teachers can access hundreds of resources vetted by the Framework experts, across themes and aligned to individual strengths and areas of growth. 

Available 24/7, teachers have the flexibility to learn at their own pace - so they aren't tied down by traditional 'one-size-fits-all' PD methods.

Technology must facilitate a better professional learning experience for teachers and administrators. Self-reflection, access to resources, learning and coaching, compliance, connection with peers and administrators, fostering a sense of community and collaboration.  

 

Challenges
Flexible PD is not without challenges, especially when it comes to implementation. If you give access to too many resources at once, this can lead to information overload ("yet another thing"). In the free-for-all world of online PD options, teachers can find it's hard and time-consuming to research and access higher-quality PD opportunities.

We approach this in two ways:

  1. Framework experts curate higher-quality resources, 100s of resources, in one place.
  2. School leaders further curate a personalized playlist based on your teachers strengths and areas of growth.

Also, focus on professional learning communities (PLCs) to provide a structured and collaborative approach to professional learning. These communities offer a space for educators to engage in meaningful discussions, share resources, and support each other's growth. They should be organized at will based on your teachers' needs and best practices. 

 

Conclusion

Supported by the Framework experts and teacher-centric technology, Flexible PD can establish common language to acknowledge the diverse needs of your teachers, and clarify who needs what kind of professional learning. 

If you want to ensure that your teachers remain prepared to meet the personalized needs of their students in the classroom, there is value in Flexible PD for you. You can see reactions from our customers here.