| Abstrakt: |
This article discusses the role of exploration in the professional development of educators. Teachers, like students, come into any new situation with a range of skills, abilities, and experiences, and are in a continual process of learning. One of the major challenges in developing effective professional development offerings is meeting all participating teachers at their particular levels of skill, motivation, and prior knowledge, while also making the content engaging and relevant to what goes on in each teacher's classroom. Creating an environment in which teachers feel supported and comfortable trying new things can be difficult. With extensive guidance from a master teacher, a group of peers and a detailed professional development curriculum, teachers can pursue largely self-directed goals, working on a lesson plan of their own choosing while knowing support is available to them. Teachers can focus on their interests and professional pursuits, learning actively, discussing their ideas with colleagues, and reflecting on the types of activities they may want to add to their teaching repertoire. The structure and core features of any professional development program are major determinants of its effectiveness. INSET: What Is The Intel Teach to the Future Program?. |
