I believe human beings learn through small group discussion so I would like to implement article study in the PD I'm developing. What I really like about article study is the fact that it's low-tech for those who are scared of computers. You don't need special tools, it's easy to implement, flexible, and can encourage common language and understanding among peers. Article study does require more prep than we might think. I agree with reading and rereading the article before the study. On page 50 I LOVE the 3-2-1 and Text Coding formats! I didn't read in the text (unless I just missed it) that teachers first read the articles during the study itself. I'm assuming they are distributed/emailed to teachers before hand so they can think critically about the text. Even if I'm unable to include this in my PD I will be using it in my Program Planning class.
PD in faculty/staff meetings is the most familiar of the three for me. At my previous setting, a high percentage of staff meetings included some type of training. Training ranged from DHS updates, DAP and First Aid, to Portfolio Assessment, Bloodborne Pathogens, and Safety. Once a year we closed the center for an on-site PD Day which usually saw us divided into age levels. I think a pro of faculty PD is the opportunity teachers have to discuss school policy, research, and issues relevant to the entire staff. For short faculty meetings, I thought it was a great idea to hold your PD session at the beginning of the staff meeting to ensure you have enough time with teachers. I also think faculty PD is a good way of having regular times set aside for training. What I learned most from this strategy is that I need to seriously work on my center staff meetings. I feel like we get easily sidetracked by "housekeeping" issues.
This was honestly the first time I'd read about lesson study. I had no idea how involved it would be. What I like most about this strategy is that it is truly a collaborative effort. Teachers are embedded in the task together and build stronger collegial relationships. Before I reached the end of the chapter I thought lesson study would be cool if you could actually get people to do it. I was so glad to read about Mr. De La Cruz and how his teachers implement the strategy in the real world. He and the literacy coach acknowledge that lesson study days can be hectic, but there is purpose and value in lesson study. They also mention that teacher leaders are typically ready to assume facilitation of the group by the second quarter. This reminded me of gradual release of responsibility.
After reading Strategy 7 I feel better equipped to create powerful/engaging PD. I love that it breaks down the PD step by step, and reminds us to "model the dispositions that you expect of the participants". At first I thought it seemed tedious, but I realized that if we don't prepare and put time and effort into it how can we expect others to do the same.
Meeting times: I'm flexible, friends.
- Wednesday after 3
- Thursday & Friday after 630
- Saturday is open
- Sunday after 1
I too, agree that Strategy 7 has helped me with the step by step. I like how you stated that if we don't prepare and put time and effort into it how can we expect others to do the same. I think this is important to keep in mind, especially when things get busy. Just like we have expectations of others we must model those expectations.
ReplyDeleteJulie, do you think that you would have your employees participate in a lesson study?
Erin, you are so right! We can't have expectations for others if we don't follow those expectations as well.
DeleteErin, I've been thinking about how to implement lesson study at our center. I know I have enough subs that could cover classrooms for planning and observations. I really think it could be beneficial for us.
DeleteOh, and I saw that Kaitlyn said Sunday would work for her. If it's okay with Jacqueline, want to shoot for that?
ReplyDeleteSunday will work but I will only be available for a short time, before our family pictures.
DeleteI'm great with Sunday. Jacqueline, what time do you need to be finished by?
DeleteIf we start at 3, I really need to be finished by no later than 3:30. Sorry, to be a pain, but we have had these scheduled for several months now.
DeleteJulie, for an article study, you can either have an initial short meeting to give out the article and talk about reading and responding to it and then have another meeting for the actual discussion OR you can e-mail the article with instructions and then meet to discuss.
ReplyDeleteThank you Dr. Beach. I do think I would like them to have access to the text before meeting. I use this a lot in the Program Planning class.
DeleteI thought all these PDs sounded interesting. I've never done an article study, but I'm interested. I would assume you'd get the article before the meeting. I think this could be a powerful way to collaborate. Everyone would come to this meeting (if they have read) knowing more. Therefor they'd be ready to jump and discuss.
ReplyDeleteMy life motta is "Whatever you put into it you'll get out of it." I think this goes along with planning PD, like you said. It might be time consuming but if it's not thoughtful, people will know it. I've been to PDs that seemed last minute. I felt that my time was not valued and they didn't really care. Therefor I wasn't really listening. Why should I listen or care, if you won't do your job and plan. That's kind of harsh, but it motivated me to want to truly plan my PD task.
Sunday is good with me! Are we meeting online? or somewhere?
meeting online would be best for me, since our family photos are in the city. I have never done a article study either, but I have participated in a book study and absolutely loved it. I think some teachers tend to shy away from book studies because they feel that they are very time consuming. My own though was "I don't know if I have time to read this whole book!" That is why I think a article study might be more appealing.
DeleteKaitlin, I absolutely agree! That has really been reinforced for me this semester.....that if I don't plan, collaborate, and invest my time and energy my staff won't either.
DeleteJacqueline, we do a lot of chapter/article discussion in our Program Planning class. For book study I think breaking it down into smaller chunks it's more manageable.
I'm ok with online meeting.
Julie, you are right. Breaking the book into chapters, does make it more doable. I'm sure providing teachers with a written schedule of when chapters need to be read will help as well.
Deletemotto*
ReplyDeleteJulie, I am also very interested in a small group article study. I participated in a book study once and really enjoyed the intimacy of the group. I also felt very comfortable speaking my mind in front of a smaller group as opposed to a larger group (I'm pretty shy.) That is why I think an article study is such a great way to reach people. I think an article study allows for some really critical thinking and thought provoking discussion.
ReplyDeleteI love the collaborative effort of the lesson study too! Allowing teachers to work together, really helps for teachers to learn so much from one another. I agree with you though, getting people to participate is what I think would be the most difficult part.
Jacqueline, I really enjoy article study. I agree that it's a wonderful way for teachers to engage in critical thought and discussion. The lesson study is just amazing to me! It is truly a team effort. I imagine that it also builds strong, trusting relationships between peers. Like you mentioned, it's an intimate setting where you feel appreciated and secure.
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