Journal #9: Professional Learning to Improve Achievement - NETS-T 3,4,5

Reflect on educational journal using ISTE publication and Citation Machine

McAnear, A. (2009). Professional learning to improve achievement for all students. 36(8), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Publications/LL/LLIssues/Volume3620082009/JuneJulyNo8/L_L_June_July_2009.htm

Anita McAnear discusses in her article the correlation between professional development and student learning. She relays that the research done at Stanford University concludes that professional learning is crucial to improve academic achievement. The article also touches on the availability that teachers have to improve their skills with collaboration, professional learning, involvement in curriculum decision, and mentors. To help show a road map how teachers become professional learners, Southwest Educational Development Laboratory outlined a learning cycle called the Professional Teaching and Learning Cycle (PTLC). Included in the PTLC learning cycle for teachers are discussing learning expectation, instructional strategies, development of lessons for strategies, how to gather evidence if a lesson plan worked, alternate strategy methods. Teachers in the United States are fortunate to have resources and support to improve their job, and many dedicated organizations committed to improving the achievement gap.

How was the data gathered to conclude that improving professional learning results in higher student achievement?

This article does not provide any details to this question, but it seems like a very difficult experiment to measure. First of all, wouldn’t the observed students used in the experiment have to have been taught by same teacher without professional development and then later with professional development? Then it would be hard to tell if the students improved because they had consistency with a teacher, and/or the teacher naturally improved with experience.

How, when, and who meets to collaborate on Professional Teaching and Learning Cycle?

I looks like PTLC sessions are arranged through the SEDL, and are intended for District curriculum developers, principals, vice principals, teacher leaders, technical assistance providers. I would imagine if this program proves successful and gains momentum that more facilities would appear. Perhaps with the technology to collaborate from ones home, sessions could be held via internet.