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Leading Adult Professional Development

Elaine J. Roberts, Ph.D.dr.ejroberts@yahoo.com

ejroberts@p20partners.com

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By the end of this session, you will be able to:• Describe the characteristics of the adult learner• Explain how these characteristics are evidenced in

educators• Discuss at least one characteristics of successful

professional development for adults, specifically for educators

Objectives

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• Andragogy: science of helping adults learn; learner-centered model

• You, as learner– What are your expectations for any learning situation?– When something is optional, what motivates you to sign up

for a conference, webinar, or other professional development experience?

– What do you hope might happen? Why?

Begin with the adult learner in mind

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• Adult learner characteristics/qualities– Self-directed and goal-oriented– Often bring considerable experience and knowledge– Need learning to be practical and relevant– Often express a range of possible motives (social, external,

personal/professional advancement)

• Based on your own experience with successful professional development, are any of these more true?

• Based on what we’ve already discussed, anything significant missing?

Research says. . .

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• Motivation– Relevance and practical application– Appropriate level of rigor

• Unlearn/relearn/learn– Adult learner may have behaviors, skills, and knowledge

they need to unlearn, relearn, and/or learn

• Self-concept/self-identity– Influences motivation and willingness to learn– Experience and knowledge must be valued and respected

• Relevance– Learn today, use tomorrow

Critical elements of adult learning

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• Career experience– Coaches, mentors, administrative support– Track record– Self-awareness

• Knowledge and professional beliefs– Every child can learn?– Tried that before; never tried that– Repertoire of strategies– Lifelong learner; coach/mentor

• Making a difference

Educators as learners

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• Relevant– Learn today, use tomorrow

• Meaningful and purposeful– Reinforces/builds on existing knowledge– Explains what needs to be unlearned, relearned, or learned,

and why– Reinforces and builds on prior work, district/school vision

and mission, etc.– Takes into consideration experience and content areas or

roles– Reinforces relevance

• Collaborative

Some of those PD qualities

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It’s not the program nor the curriculum, it’s the educator.Todd Whitaker, What Great Teachers Do Differently

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• Do your homework– Know your audience– Know your presentation

• Know your role• Be authoritative but

respectful• Manage the audience

– The whisperers– The derailers– The hostile participant

• Be flexible• Keep them engaged!• Be aware of their realities

Being a leader of professional development

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Wrapping it up

• It’s not about you; it’s about the learners—each of whom are individuals with their own perspectives and experiences

• No silver bullets and one size of anything does NOT fit all

• It’s not about your performance but about the participants and their learning; it’s about being learner-focused.

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Successful adult learning for educators provides relevant, meaningful, and purposeful tools, skills, knowledge, and resources that can help them make a difference in their schools or in their classrooms.

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Thank you

Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.

Benjamin Franklin

What I hear, I forget. What I see, I remember. What I do, I understand.

Confucius

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Leading Adult Professional Development

Elaine J. Roberts, Ph.D.January 30, 2014