The required reading for this module focuses on the need for focused professional development in order for students to achieve at their highest potential. Holland's (2005) article "Teaching Teachers: Professional Development To Improve Student Achievement Professional Learning Communities," lays out several factors for effective professional development for teachers. First of all, the author states that teachers must be involved in professional development that is directly related to the subject matter the teacher teaches as well as having a focus on how students learn. Another important factor in effective professional development is the amount of time teachers spend in their professional learning; teachers need "extended opportunities to better understand student learning, curriculum materials and instruction, and subject-matter content can boost the performance of both teachers and students" (page 4). Successful professional development can improve the effectiveness of teachers and therefore the achievement of their students.
In Little's (2006) article, she describes how a school focused on the learning of both teachers and students makes for a successful school. The article describes how professional development should be planned based on an identified learning problem and goal for the school. Little also explains how a professional learning community can support the learning of teachers and therefore the learning of students; the author finds that the stronger the professional learning community the better likelihood of professional development making a positive impact in a student's education.
In Little's (2006) article, she describes how a school focused on the learning of both teachers and students makes for a successful school. The article describes how professional development should be planned based on an identified learning problem and goal for the school. Little also explains how a professional learning community can support the learning of teachers and therefore the learning of students; the author finds that the stronger the professional learning community the better likelihood of professional development making a positive impact in a student's education.
The online article is closely related to the required reading for this module. Both articles point to the importance of professional development that is, in a way, prescribed to meet the needs of the specific staff and students in order to be most effective and beneficial. The online article goes into more depth about how to determine the needed professional development for a school. Ultimately, both articles emphasize the need to focus on student learning in order to have a successful professional development, which is also the goal of professional learning communities.
References
Holland, Holly. (2005). Teaching teachers: professional development to improve student achievement. Research Points, 3. Retrieved from: http://blackboard.cuchicago.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-1025303-dt-content-rid-4423434_2/courses/8967.201430/AERA_Teaching_Teachers.pdf
Little, Judith. (2006). Professional community and professional development in the learning-centered school. Best Practices: NEA Research. Retrieved from: http://www.nea.org/assets/docs/HE/mf_pdreport.pdf
