SHIFT HAPPENS! English Montreal School Board AQIFGA Sheraton, Laval April 18, 2013 LEARNING CIRCLES

WORKSHOP GOAL WORKSHOP GOAL The goal of this workshop is to introduce The goal of this workshop is to introduce participants to the concept of learning circles as a form of professional development for individuals involved in the field of education. 2

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Definition: Definition:  the process of enhancing staff (teachers’ and administrators’) skills and competencies skills and competencies with the aim of improving with the aim of improving student learning gains student learning gains Purpose:  to enable staff members to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviors required to create safe learning environments that enable all students to demonstrate higher levels of achievement 3

ACTIVITY 1 ACTIVITY 1 4

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONCLUSIONS FORMSCONTENT ASSESSMENT FOLLOW- UP CLASS APPLICATION STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT 5

TRADITIONAL PD OFTEN… TRADITIONAL PD OFTEN… Is fragmented and simplistic Is fragmented and simplistic Addresses too many topics Addresses too many topics Lacks focus Lacks focus Lacks sustained support and follow-through Lacks sustained support and follow-through Does not result in change in student achievement Does not result in change in student achievement Is not readily integrated with classroom practice Is not readily integrated with classroom practice Relegates participants to a passive role Relegates participants to a passive role 6

CHARACTERISTICS OF EFFECTIVE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CHARACTERISTICS OF EFFECTIVE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Results-driven Results-driven Focused on helping teachers become deeply immersed in subject matter and teaching methods Focused on helping teachers become deeply immersed in subject matter and teaching methods Curriculum-centered Curriculum-centered Sustained, thorough and cumulative Sustained, thorough and cumulative Directly linked to what teachers do in their classrooms Directly linked to what teachers do in their classrooms Supported by administration Supported by administration 7

WHY LEARNING CIRCLES? One of the most effective forms of professional development is when teachers have opportunities to work together and learn from each other. 8

ACTIVITY 2 WHAT IS A LEARNING CIRCLE? ACTIVITY 2 WHAT IS A LEARNING CIRCLE? 9

How does a learning circle differ from a discussion group? How does a learning circle differ from a discussion group? What are the six essential condition for authentic professional development? What are the six essential condition for authentic professional development? What role can a learning circle play in your centre? What role can a learning circle play in your centre? 10

LEARNING CIRCLES LEARNING CIRCLES Definition Definition Organization Organization Roles Roles Essential conditions Essential conditions 11

OBSERVATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS OBSERVATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS Teachers who participate in learning circles Feel less isolated Feel less isolated Create new knowledge about teaching and learning Create new knowledge about teaching and learning Have an increased understanding of the curriculum and of the roles they play in helping students learn Have an increased understanding of the curriculum and of the roles they play in helping students learn 12

OBSERVATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS OBSERVATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS (cont.) Are more open to change Are more open to change Are better informed and more inspired Are better informed and more inspired Show more satisfaction and higher morale Show more satisfaction and higher morale Share responsibility for teaching and learning Share responsibility for teaching and learning 13

GALILEO ADULT CENTRE LEARNING CIRCLE GALILEO ADULT CENTRE LEARNING CIRCLE Testimonials Testimonials 14

REFLECTIONS REFLECTIONS 15

EMSB LEARNING CIRCLES EMSB LEARNING CIRCLES 16