Nancy Peter
16
Nancy Peter, M.Ed. May 11, 2012 Peer Networking as Professional Development for Out-of-School Time Staff
-
Upload
penn-institute-for-urban-research -
Category
Education
-
view
690 -
download
4
description
9th Annual Penn Urban Doctoral Symposium Peer Networking as Professional Development for Out-of-School Time Staff
Transcript of Nancy Peter
Nancy Peter, M.Ed. May 11, 2012
Peer Networking as Professional Development for
Out-of-School Time Staff
Introduction
Nancy Peter
Background in environmental education, museum education, and informal science education
Have worked in the OST (out-of-school time) field for 12 years
Founded the OSTRC in 2003
Introduction
Out-of-School Time Resource Center (OSTRC)Supports staff who support children and youth
Housed in the School of Social Policy and Practice, University of Pennsylvania
Offers newsletter, website, Online Training Calendar, Document Library, Peer Networking Meetings, Regional Directories, individual consultations, and more
Conducts research on and evaluates OST professional development (PD)
Study Sites
Peer Networking Meetings/PNM
Philadelphia Afterschool Matters Practitioner Fellowship Program/PFP
Youth Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition Networking Seminars/YSFN
Research Questions
What are the distinct and important elements of these meetings?
How are these three peer communities similar? How are they different?
Do these professional development activities
translate into impact?
Literature Review
Out-of-school time
Professional development for OST staff
Professional development for classroom teachers
Peer networking
Framework/Methodology
Action research Electronic surveys Meeting observations
Focus groups Individual interviews
Limitations/Considerations
Self-reported information
Short duration
Voluntary participation
Not generalizable
Evolving questions
Finite amount of time
Personal involvement
Research Findings: Sorted By Data-Collection Methods
Downloaded and graphed quantitative data.
Coded and looked for themes in qualitative data.
Research Findings: Sorted By Themes and Sub-Themes
Meeting Components (Theme #1) Administration Audience participation and involvement Community and group dynamics Dialogue and discussion Diversity Environment and climate Facilitation and facilitators Insiders/outsiders Meeting support Networking and interaction Panelists Topic
Participant Impact (Theme #2) Acquisition of new information,
knowledge, or resources Engagement, enjoyment, and interest Personal and professional growth
Workplace/Workforce Application (Theme #3)
Implementation Organizational support Sharing information with co-workers and
colleagues Relationships and partnerships Relevance to OST field
Research Findings: Sorted By Research Questions
Research Question One: What are the distinct and important elements of these meetings?
Administration and facilitation Audience participation, dialogue, and networking Community, diversity, and insiders/outsiders Environment and support Panelists and topics
Research Findings: Sorted By Research Questions
Research Question Two: How are these three peer communities similar? How are they different?
Relationships vs. networking Personal vs. interpersonal growth Mentors vs. presenters
Research Findings: Sorted By Research Questions
Research Question Three: Do these professional development activities translate into impact? Engagement and enjoyment Acquisition of new information Implementation, organizational support, and sharing Relationships, partnerships, and personal growth
Suggestions for the Field
Understand the audience and intent Identify goals and objectives Integrate promising practices Administration
– Participation, dialogue, and networking– Environment and support– Panelists and topics
Suggestions for the Field
Build communities – What type of community do you wish to build?– What will it take to sustain this community?– How will you define and ensure diversity?– How will you make everyone feel welcome?
Provide networking assistance Promote application Evaluate the meetings
