Tena;
Before I reply I wanted correctly answered as LMS. The system marks that as wrong and notes answer 4 as the correct version. Small point but the course designer might want to know.
My reply - professional development courses serve two useful functions for me. Freshness is the first. I invariably receive a variety of new
ideas,approaches,and information that renew my enthusiasm for instruction. I want to stay abreast of practical solutions and guides to online instruction as a simple but effective way to "stay on my game." Second, my discipline (Criminal Justice) can be a real challenge for beginning students with little or no work experience in the field. Pro. development provides an assured level of technological training e.g. social presence, LMS, etc. that help me translate the materials for "novices" to
the discipline. I find this particularly true with the tech side of online instruction. Using the system properly (effectively) is an ongoing battle for me! Thanks.
Dan Campagna
Tanya,
Great! I'm glad you are learning from others and continue your professional development. Keep learning! It's a part of life. Thanks!
What I learn from others in the forums and meetings is most valuable. I have learned many time saving tips and more effective teaching tools through professional development. For example, I got the idea to create lesson videos from a colleague during a PD event.
Barbara,
When we find a "master" teacher, we need to tap into their knowledge and learn as much as we can from them. Thanks for your input.
Vimlarani,
You hare hit on some very good points for sure. Professional development can help us be better prepared, reduce stress and learn new ideas from others. Thanks!
Professional development allows us to learn from those who have already "mastered" the techniques. This allows us to reduce learning time because we do not need to search for the information we need.
In the current workplace environment, teachers are finding themselves faced with stressful situations. There are deadlines, professional development requirements, and performance reviews, among other things. New teachers first starting out are expected to live up to high expectations in terms of meeting the needs of their students, whereas older more experienced teachers are forced to adapt to new teaching techniques. Continuous education is necessary for teachers who wish to excel in their field and improve their abilities. However, most people in the field are unsure of where or how to go about accessing professional teacher development resources available to them.
Successful teachers must have a strong knowledge and understanding of the subject material that they are teaching their students. Teacher professional development works to strengthen teachers' perceptions on how students learn and process the information that they are being exposed to and tested on. Additionally, teachers will be able to practice new strategies that they will later implement into their classroom environments, such as cooperative learning and role playing. Due to the incorporation of various teaching methods, students are likely to perform at much higher rates and both students and teachers will benefit from greater achievement. Therefore, it becomes fundamentally important for teachers to be prepared not only when they begin to teach, but equally as important to advance their expertise throughout the entirety of their careers.
Christopher,
The sooner we learn workload management strategies that help us be better online instructors and have a balance in our lives, the better. Thanks!
I think that it serves as a workload management strategy because you have an opportunity to listen to others and how they handle their schedules. Also with it being a requirement, you have to use your time management skills to juggle the other tasks that you are already committed to in order to be effective.
Bennett,
As we learn more about ourselves, we can investigate our strengths and weaknesses and build upon them.
Thanks!
Stephanie,
Good idea. Thanks for adding to the conversation. Professional development helps us all.
Thanks again.
Understanding and acknowledging our strengths and (especially our) weaknesses allows faculty members to identify professional development programs that can greatly assist us.
Participating in a professional development program on a topic that is directly relevant, such as learning new ways to use technology to become more efficient with your time, will improve your effectiveness in the classroom.
Participating in professional development can allow the instructor to develop new ways to present information. This could improve the students retention of the material.
Lawrence,
I love learning and I think many other teachers do too. I think that is why we stay in the educational arena. We have to continue to learn to help our students learn. Thanks!
How can participating in professional development courses serve as a workload management strategy?
Participating in professional development courses serve as a workload management strategy by helping me become more efficient. For example, in those courses I learn to budget my time and improve the output I am able to produce.
Alana,
We have fall break next week and we certainly need some time to regroup - just as the students do. Try to catch a break and be ready for courses too.
;-). It's hard, but we have to keep trying. Thanks.
Hi Dr. Crews
Yes, participating in professional development courses does serve as a workload management strategy. For example, at my online university we are on fall break and tomorrow all new courses for us. This is why I am working hard on these PD courses right now.
Thanks
Alana
Loriann,
Keep learning. I have been teaching since 1983 and I'm at a conference right now learning new things. We must continue to update our skills and learning. Thanks for your input.
Participating in professional development courses enables instructors to learn techniques and good practices that are commonly shared among instructors. These courses are a benchmark that can be used effectively for all. Growing is a part of learning and we all know its never to late to learn and develop further in our careers.
David,
Professional development does take time away from other things we could be doing, but keeping an open mind to learning new things is essential. Thanks for noting that every little bit we learn helps.
