Education is ever-evolving, and the need for innovative professional development has never been more critical. Educational leaders must continually refine their approach to professional growth, leveraging fresh insights and technological approaches to empower their staff and faculty. The University of New Orleans (UNO) Master of Education (MEd) in Educational Leadership (K-12) online program equips aspiring leaders with the techniques and strategies necessary to foster professional development effectively.
Educational leaders catalyze professional growth and development among their staff. By fostering an environment that values continuous learning and innovation, educational leaders can inspire educators to reach new heights of excellence.
Digital Integration
Integrating digital tools and resources into professional development programs is essential in today’s digital age. A Common Sense Media white paper titled Innovative Professional Development Helps Teachers Use Technology to Tackle CCSS (Common Core State Standards) outlines strategies educational leaders can take to encourage professional development among staff. According to instructional technology leader Tom Murray, when the district anonymously surveyed teachers, “fewer than 20 percent of our teachers said that professional development was effective. You have to reflect on that as a district.”
The district Murray worked in stopped counting the number of hours teachers sat in workshops and had teachers and principals collaboratively develop professional development goals. They tied professional development to continuing improvements in the performance of teachers and students. Now, teachers in the district have an incentive to make professional learning count. “With technology, we always want to make sure we don‘t use something just because it‘s new, it‘s cool, it‘s bright and shiny,” Murray said. “It‘s never about the technology. It‘s about the learning.”
Blended Learning Modes
Blended learning modes offer a flexible and accessible avenue for professional development. By incorporating online modules, webinars and virtual coaching sessions, educators can engage in continuous learning at their own pace and convenience, catering to diverse learning preferences and schedules.
Diane Lauer, Assistant Superintendent of Priority Programs and Initiatives, says on the Kickup blog: “The scope of professional development is limitless. It can be the podcast you listen to on your commute to work. It can be the blog you read while you‘re eating your lunch. It can be the professional learning network you follow on Twitter. It can be the class that you take for your Master‘s degree — or it can be your Master‘s degree in literacy! It can be the late-start Wednesday where your district brings people together on a regular basis to learn. All of these things are professional development.”
Coaching and Mentoring
One-on-one coaching sessions and peer mentoring programs facilitate reflective dialogue and foster a culture of continuous improvement. NAESP-certified mentor and coach Alice Shull works with new principals and assistant principals and defines the two roles of coach and mentor. Shull says that coaches focus more on learning and perfecting specific skills: “A coach would help a teacher look at their practice and uncover the reality of a particular lesson.” She continues: “A coach is going to do some effective questioning, as well: ‘How did you feel about your lesson? ‘What would you do differently if you were going to make the lesson more effective?'”
She notes that mentors don’t tell protégés exactly how they should approach leadership. Instead, they ask questions: “What do you think about how you would do this at your school? How would you move forward in terms of being able to encourage your team to take on various responsibilities?”
Collaborative Learning Communities
Educational leaders facilitate knowledge-sharing and collective problem-solving by creating opportunities for educators to share best practices, engage in reflective dialogue and collaborate on projects. The National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) notes that innovative professional development approaches prioritize increased engagement and motivation among educators. Leaders can enhance participant engagement and motivation by incorporating interactive elements such as gamification, microlearning and action research projects, which drive meaningful learning outcomes.
Microlearning involves delivering bite-sized learning content in short, focused bursts. By breaking down complex topics into smaller modules, educators can facilitate learning in manageable increments, maximizing retention and engagement. Microlearning offers flexibility and accessibility, allowing educators to learn on the go and at their own pace.
As defined by NAESP, gamification incorporates game elements and mechanics into professional development programs to enhance engagement and motivation. By introducing challenges, rewards and competition, gamified learning experiences make professional development more enjoyable and interactive. Gamification encourages participation and fosters a spirit of friendly competition among educators.
Innovative professional development is essential for advancing education and empowering educators to excel. Through programs like the University of New Orleans’ MEd in Educational Leadership, educational leaders gain the knowledge and skills needed to foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement within their institutions.
Learn more about the University of New Orleans’ MEd in Educational Leadership (K-12) online program.