Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ministry of Higher Education Taibah University Faculty of Education Submitted to Dr. Antar Abdellah By: Maryam Abdullah

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Introduction Do you agree with this statement?! Why? Teachers are lifelong learners.

Outlines What is Teacher professional Development? What are the approaches of PD? Criteria for Successful PD. Challenges that teachers might face. Ways technologies support the process of PD. Features of the school plans for PD. Framework for teachers to enhance their PD.

Brain Storming !!

Definition professional development refers to: "activities to enhance professional career growth." Such activities may include individual development, continuing education, and in- service education, as well as curriculum writing, peer collaboration, study groups, and peer coaching or mentoring.

Also, The definition has been expanded to include "the sum total of formal and informal learning experiences throughout one's career from pre-service teacher education to retirement" (Fullan,1991)

PD approaches Effective PD programs encompass Formal means Informal means

PD approaches Workshops and classes Formal Processes

Workshops & Classes Well-designed workshops and courses which offer depth and focus: 1.provide adequate opportunities for practice 2.involve doing real work instead of being "talked at," 3.provide opportunities for consultation with colleagues and experts 4.make possible follow-up classroom consultation and coaching

Constraints of Workshops and Courses Time and place present the major obstacles Many workshops are scheduled at the end of the school day when teachers are exhausted and unable to get the most out of a learning experience, or in the evening or on weekends, when family priorities interfere It is also difficult to create a schedule and to choose a location that will suit the needs of all teachers and of the workshop/course presenters

Informal Processes InquiryPeer Couching Use of a Learning Center Working Alongside a Curriculum Integration Specialist or Technology Specialist Other ways Partnerships with universities and businesses Teacher Collaboratives Mentoring

Other Ways of Supporting Informal Learning Teachers also learn through : developing curriculum designing programs planning for technology implementation previewing and selecting hardware and software engaging in systematic school improvement processes. reading Discussion involvement in school improvement processes

Criteria for Successful Professional Development 1.goals are realistic and relevant. 2.small group work permits application and analysis 3.a positive self-image is promoted 4.they see results and receive feedback 5.ongoing learning opportunities are presented. Professional development, when conducted along these guidelines, will produce positive Results( Hall& Loucks 1979 )..

Challenges that teachers might face Professional development opportunities can be expensive. They are often delivered in disconnected sessions, which limit their impact on professional practice or professional knowledge. Most of them are traditional, in a shape of, single conference or workshop offering.

So, Let’s look for alternative Current technologies offer resources to meet these challenges and provide teachers with a cluster of supports that help them continue to grow in their professional skills, understandings, and interests."

Ways technologies support the process of PD Distance Learning: Expanding Opportunities for Courses and Workshops Using Video and Integrated Media to Improve Teaching Electronic Communities of Learners: Expanding the Network Base

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Point view- Discussion To be fair, it was social media in general that enabled me to extend beyond the walls of my organization and connect with others externally in the field. I am active on all the major social media channels, and they each have their strength and weaknesses. I find that Twitter has the audience and usage that best provides professional development support for those in our field.

The common features of the school plans for PD Time for professional learning and collaboration built into teachers’ work hours. Ongoing professional development activities that are embedded in teachers’ contexts and focused on the content to be taught. Extensive opportunities for both formal and informal in-service development. Supportive induction programs for new teachers.(William,2010)

Framework for teachers to enhance their PD Visits to colleagues’ classrooms to observe them teach Joint observation of lessons with a colleague and professional discussion afterwards Team teaching with colleagues Working with a colleague to develop particular skills, such as effective use of ICT in your teaching Visits to other schools Visits to and teaching experience in other grade levels Personal study Relevant experience in other phases of schooling

Let’s get interacted with this assessment Task If you were asked as a teacher to create a professional development portfolio, what would you include in it ?

Further Reading The National Professional Standards for teachers and School Leaders [NPS]

Closing

References Williams, Marlie L., "Teacher Collaboration as Professional Development in a Large, Suburban High School" (2010). Open Access Theses and Dissertations from the College of Education and Human Sciences. Paper 94. Fullan, M. G. (1991b). Professional development of educators. In M. G. Fullan, The new meaning of educational change (pp ). New York: Teachers College Press. Professional Development for Teachers.(n.d.) Retrieved December 9,2012,from website: 2prof.htm

References Hall, G. & Loucks, S. (1979). Implementing innovations in schools: A concerns-based approach. Austin, TX: Research and Development Center for Teacher Education, University of Texas. Grant, C. M. (1996.). Professional development in a technological age: New definitions, old challenges, new resources. Retrieved December 9,2012,from website: net.terc.edu/do/paper/8089/show/page-4/use_set- teacher_pd.html#professionalhttp://lsc- net.terc.edu/do/paper/8089/show/page-4/use_set- teacher_pd.html#professional Using Twitter as a Professional Development Tool(2012).Retrieved December 9,2012, from The LC Blog : professional.html Using Twitter as a Professional Development Tool professional.html Professional Development.(n.d.) Retrieved December 9,2012,from website: ment/detail/931