tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-849784733335636301.post8514582738050542284..comments2023-08-13T12:10:32.261-04:00Comments on The Window: Professional Development: A DefenseKevin D. Washburn, Ed.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11598209275450969359noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-849784733335636301.post-74666795604815099552010-12-29T11:15:11.761-05:002010-12-29T11:15:11.761-05:00Like you, Kevin, I am disgruntled by typical profe...Like you, Kevin, I am disgruntled by typical professional development. One of the problems is that the human brain is not able to hold all that much new information in its working memory. When we get involved with other people and activities soon after a session a lot of this simply "spills out." We need to practice, fail and find how it works best. The collaborative piece would be very helpful here.Robyn McMaster, PhDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04893633050214440599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-849784733335636301.post-81954089163302527732010-05-27T14:52:24.306-04:002010-05-27T14:52:24.306-04:00I completely agree! A related issue is the tendenc...I completely agree! A related issue is the tendency for professional development to emphasize the focus "of the moment." After a few years, it's easy to develop a "this-to-shall-pass" attitude because no initiative is ever pursued to the point of firm grounding in practice. Professional development should be considered a long-term process, not a one-time "shot in the arm."Kevin D. Washburn, Ed.D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/11598209275450969359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-849784733335636301.post-11515008213984909322010-05-26T17:14:20.974-04:002010-05-26T17:14:20.974-04:00As one who also provides professional development,...As one who also provides professional development, it is disheartening how often I hear so many teachers express disdain when discussing learning opportunities. I try very hard to engage the audience in authentic tasks that are transferable to their classrooms and, generally, I am successful with most participants.<br /><br />The "worthless" label often arises because frequently nothing is done with the information acquired during the training. When building administrators do not attend the professional development activity with their teachers, it communicates a message that there is little or no expectation of teachers implementing the ideas from the training.<br /><br />Sometimes, the "bad rap" for PD is more about teachers believing nothing will be done with the information, therefore, "wasting their time," rather than an objecting to the actual PD content or presenter.@blairteachnoreply@blogger.com