From the NYSED CRSE Framework, “Ongoing professional learning is rooted in the idea that teaching and learning is an adaptive process needing constant reexamination (Moll, et al., 1992; Gay, 2010). It allows learners to develop and sharpen a critically conscious lens toward instruction, curriculum, assessment, history, culture, and institutions. Learners must be self-directed and take on opportunities that directly impact learning outcomes.”
Modes of Learning
This module was designed as a toolkit where participants complete the first immersive scenario, make choices on activities based on the topic, and complete the reflection that ends the module. Within many of the ‘choice’ activities, there are opportunities for participants to engage individually, in pairs or small groups, and in a whole-group setting. There are directions on each activity for participants or for facilitators.
Activities within the toolkit can be used electronically, or printed for use individually or in a group setting. Each activity has an estimated time frame included. The main presentation is provided in two formats, Powerpoint or Google Slides (the content of each is the same).
Facilitation Guide: Ongoing Professional Learning
Learning Objectives
Use the links provided below to skip to any section of this module.
- Holding Ourselves Accountable: Maya Angelou said, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” This was a personal insight that she made about her circumstances and it still rings true today. The keyword in this fourth principle is ongoing. The more we learn, explore, ask questions, and reflect, the more confident we are to implement necessary and lasting change.
- Continuously Educating Ourselves: Being a learning educator means that we each need to put in the work to stay current on educational trends, research, and more. Many vision and mission statements include the term lifelong learning. As educators, we need to have that same mindset. What new learning did you attain today?
- Intentionally Growing Our PLN: In this digital age of social media, it is easy to access and grow your professional learning network. Not only that, but it can expand across the globe! How are you leveraging social media to grow your network? How does expanding your PLN support you in continuously educating yourself?
Presentation Materials
Introduction
- Main slide deck presentation (select preferred file format)
- Module 5: Immersive Scenario
Holding Ourselves Accountable
- The Problem with that Equity vs. Equality Graphic You’re Using: To define the terms of equity and equality in the context of education to understand the intention of cultural responsiveness. This activity includes an etext, reflection questions and collaborative activity.
- Understanding Your Biases to Address Stereotype Threats in Your Learning Environment: To explore and reflect on strategies to use in your remote and hybrid learning environment that address stereotype threats by understanding our own biases. This includes an etext and take action activity.
- Potential Biases That Impact the Educational System: To identify the biases that impact our educational system and synthesize strategies for creating a safe and just remote and hybrid learning environment. This includes reflection questions, a collaborative activity, and brainstorming and design.
- Using an Efficacy Notebook for Reflection and Connection: You will design and learn to use a Digital Efficacy Notebook to capture your ideas, questions, insights, and connections as you continue to engage in work around equity-related topics in education. This includes a video and take action activity.
Continuously Educating Ourselves
- Unmasking the Myth of the Model Minority in Remote and Hybrid Learning Environments: To build awareness of how the “model minority” myth impacts students of Asian communities and identify ways to demystify common beliefs that create inequalities within remote and hybrid classrooms. This includes an etext, reflection questions, and a take action activity.
- Empowering Teachers to Support Effective and Equitable Family Engagement: To explore professional learning opportunities that will support family and community involvement to sustain a culturally responsive environment for all learners. This includes a website exploration, reflection questions and a take action activity.
- Addressing Bias in Data Analysis: To determine trends across sub-groups or bias toward students by analyzing student data in order to set and meet professional goals related to Culturally Responsive-Sustaining practices. This includes a website exploration, reflection questions and a take action activity.
- Learning About Diverse Communities In Which We Teach Or Are Near To Us: To learn about the diverse communities present in our remote and hybrid learning environments and strategize ways to provide culturally competent teaching. This includes a video, reflection questions, a brainstorm and design, and collaborative activity.
- Leveraging Podcasts for Professional Learning: To identify podcasts that can be leveraged as tools for ongoing professional development and continuous education. This includes a website exploration, reflection questions and a collaborative activity.
- Resources from NYU Steinhardt Metropolitan Center for Research on Equity and the Transformation of Schools: These resources complement the activities that you engaged in through each of the modules.
Intentionally Growing Our PLN
- Using Twitter to Extend Your PLN: Learn and explore the social media application, Twitter, to extend your professional learning network. This includes a website exploration and take action activity.
- What’s a PLN and Why is it Important?: To explore professional learning networks for educators and their role in sustaining ongoing professional learning for teachers, school leaders, and district leaders. This includes a video, reflection questions, a brainstorm and design, and additional resources.
Conclusion
Contact
If you have questions or are unable to access any of these materials, contact:
April Francis-Taylor (she/her/hers)
P: 631-687-3007