BETT 2013 MirandaNetLinking CPD, Learning and Technology

About this presentation

David WestonChief Executive, Teacher Development Trust.Former teacher, data consultant, author, ITT trainer, Visiting Fellow at the Institute of Education

Teacher Development Trusthttp://TDTrust.org/The national CPD charityNational Teacher Enquiry Network

“Let’s buy some iPads” syndrome

Does anyone know what problem I’m supposed to be solving here exactly?

“The graveyard of good ideas”

Lowest Common Denominator Usage

Used like

A better way…

Start with the learning

A better way…

Something Cheaper

A better way…

Enhancing existing approaches?

Whole new approach?

A better way…

Value reliabilityBuild in redundancy

1 Tech-pain minute = 30 wasted learning minutes

A better way…

Look for flexible, extensible technologies

Technology won’t implement itself

• Habits• Experience• Existing resources• Fear• Installation

… Teachers will!

The best CPD needs to be:• Learning-focused• Collaborative• Relevant & differentiated• Sustained and cycled• Evaluated• Challenging as well as informative• Lead by example

Not all CPD is born equal

Worst ideas (if used by themselves):• Sending individuals on one-off generic courses • Whole staff lectures (either external

consultants or enthusiastic members of staff)• Distributing printed guidance

Applying this to Technology CPD

Learning focused• The point of the training is to enhance the

learning, not to ensure competency• Technology that enhances assessment of

learning is self-reinforcing this way…

Applying this to Technology CPD

Collaborative• Regular group meetings to

discuss lesson plans and observations together

• Individual as well as group accountability

• Collaboratively update schemes of work to share expertise

Applying this to Technology CPD

Relevant and differentiated• You’ll always need basic and

advanced training• Make sure trainers can give

subject-related context• Give choice where possible.• Make the underlying rationale

clear – “this will support learning because…”

Applying this to Technology CPD

Sustained and cycled• Unless an idea is the focus of CPD for at least two

terms/six months, it is unlikely to have sustained impact.

• Come back to key ideas and work on them in subsequent years/terms – use spaced learning concepts.

Applying this to Technology CPD

Evaluated• Ensure there are systems in place to monitor

whether the tech. is helping or hindering teaching and learning – individual conversations, surveys, pupil feedback, observations, etc.

• Regularly review confidence and competence and provide support

• Evaluate any external support on its effect on teaching and learning as well as on teachers

Applying this to Technology CPDChallenging as well as Informative• Providing information is

insufficient to drive improvement by itself.

• Challenge any usage that isn’t supporting better, deeper learning.

Key principles

• Start with learning needs• Evolution rather than revolution, where

possible.• Prioritise on-going, sustained training• Ensure there is redundancy and support• Like students, teachers learn more effectively

if they understand relevance and have some choice/control.