Science Professional Development
Science needs to be taught to every student using an inquiry/problem solving approach with an emphasis on content. Professional development assists teachers in their planning, guiding, and assessing learning through the implementation of state and national standards.
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What Makes Professional Development Effective
... studies of professional development programs reveal an emerging consensus about those features that are most promising for supporting teacher learning (Borko, 2004; Garet, Porter, Desimone, Birman, & Yoon, 2001; Putnam & Borko, 2000; Wilson, 2013). Studies of professional development have revealed four related characteristics that concern the nature of learning experiences and their focus on application to teachers' classroom practice.
- Professional development should be embedded in subject matter.
- Professional development needs to involve active learning.
- Professional development needs to be connected to teachers' own practice.
- Professional development needs to be part of a coherent system of support.
If you click on the reference below, it will take you to the whole article.
Reiser, B. J. (2013). What Professional Development Strategies Are Needed for Successful Implementation of the Next Generation Science Standards? Invitational Research Symposium on Science Assessment, K-12 Center at ETS.
- Using Video to Enhance Instruction
Video can be very powerful. In Focus on Teaching: Using Video in High Impact Instruction, instructional coaching expert Jim Knight writes, "The major reason video is so useful for learning is that it helps us see exactly what it looks like when we teach or our students learn. This is important because professionals often do not have a clear picture of what it looks like when they do their work... In our research conversations, teachers and coaches tell us that when they see video recordings of their lessons, they are often amazed at what the video reveals. Many times, teachers are pleased to see evidence that their lessons are working. In other cases, teachers are disappointed (every coach told us that teachers tend to be extremely hard on themselves) by what they see".
2. Is Your Professional Development a Waste of Time?
According to Timperley, Wilson, Barrar and Fung (Teacher Professional Learning and Development: Best Evidence Synthesis Iteration), the following is needed for professional development to be effective:
- Over a long period of time (three to five years)
- Involves external experts
- Teachers are deeply engaged
- It challenges teachers' existing beliefs
- Teachers talk to each other about teaching
- School leadership supports teachers' opportunities to learn and provides opportunities within the school structure for this to happen.
If you are interested in science professional development please contact one of the science consultants below and then fill out a request form.