As a teacher, you know that education doesn’t just take place inside the classroom. Ongoing professional development is important for tea...
As a teacher, you know that education doesn’t just take place inside the classroom. Ongoing professional development is important for teachers because it helps them implement new research, tools and strategies in the classroom to optimize students’ learning experiences.
But it isn’t just teachers who benefit from online
education. Administrators need continuing education, too. Professional
development for teachers and administrators can include in-person or online
classes and seminars that a school system or district pays for on behalf of its
employees. It can also include opportunities that education professionals seek
out on their own, including massive open online courses (MOOCs) or even entire
online degree programs. The benefits of professional development for teachers
can include helping educators master new technologies, refreshing teachers’
knowledge of their own subjects, helping educators advance their careers and
providing better outcomes for students, all without forcing teachers and
administrators to stay late at school or come in on weekends.
Master New Technologies
One reason why online professional development for teachers
and administrators is so beneficial is that it gives teachers the chance to
grapple with and learn
new technological tools that they can bring into the classroom. Sometimes,
these are tools that students may already be familiar with, but more often,
they’re tools that teachers want to harness to bring a more technologically
enriched educational experience into their classrooms.
Technology changes at such a fast pace that teachers and
administrators typically need to make a special effort to keep up with the
demands of new digital tools. Today’s students are often more comfortable with
tablets, laptops, and smart phones than their adult teachers. Whether students
are using EdTech tools in the classroom or are taking
their courses entirely online, teachers need to know how to engage them
with technology.
Refresh Your Knowledge of Your Own Subject
Research into the science of teaching and learning is
ongoing, and researchers often recommend changes to the way teachers help
students engage with subject material. Knowledge in a teacher’s field of study
evolves continuously in the same way. Whether it’s historians incorporating new
evidence into their conclusions about the way events transpired in the past or
scientists making new discoveries that change the way they think about
processes occurring in the natural world, teachers need to stay on top of
developments in their subject field, so they can impart accurate information.
Of course, that’s not the only reason teachers need
continuing education in their subject field. Teachers are human, too. They make
mistakes and forget things. Professional development ensures that teachers’
knowledge of their subject matter stays as fresh as it was the day they
graduated.
Advance Your Career
Few professionals can
advance in their careers without some ongoing training or education to help
them develop professionally. Teachers are no exception. Many teachers use
professional development opportunities to build new skills and competencies
that can help them move ahead in their careers. For example, they might work
towards an education
administration degree to prepare them for a career in administration beyond
the classroom. Ultimately, the opportunities presented by professional
development are what one makes of them.
Improve Student Outcomes
Of course, much of the work teachers and administrators put into professional development goes toward improving student outcomes - because why else are these professionals even in the classroom in the first place? Researchers often make new discoveries about how people learn and about how to manipulate the learning environment to optimize learning.
A teacher who doesn’t take the time to understand these new developments is one who spends the majority of his or her career using outdated methods to educate students - and that could leave many of his or her pupils struggling to come to grips with the material as it is presented. To effectively navigate these professional development opportunities, educators might find it helpful to consult with experts in education consulting. These professionals can provide tailored advice and strategies to ensure that the training aligns with individual career goals and institutional needs, thereby maximizing the benefits for both teachers and their students.
Online education provides the perfect format for teachers’
professional development because it allows them to learn new concepts and
engage with other professionals in a manner that doesn’t infringe on their
personal lives. Most teachers and administrators already have a lot on their
plates; their days begin early, and even though students may go home at three
o’clock, teachers and administrators often have to spend hours after school
grading, doing paperwork and planning curriculums and lessons.
Online learning allows teachers to engage with subject
material, form relationships with other professionals via online forums and
chats and reflect on their own learning outcomes, all without sacrificing
precious time spent with their families or friends. It’s a win-win for teachers
and administrators who want to give their best to the students who depend on
them.
