Curriculum

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=**__Curriculum Professional Developent__**=

**__Knowledge and Skills Needed__**
We will offer a survey online which will help us assess what teachers feel about their current professional development in their curricular areas. This will help us realize where their professional development needs improvement. []

**__Best Ways to Learn Needed Skills__**

 * ==//Critical Feature: Active Learning in Independent __and__ Group Participation//==

Desimone (2011) asserts the need for professional development that encourages both independent connection and a group dynamic. For the professional development to be successful, Desimone suggests designers of professional development sessions aim for active learning in situations of both independent and group dynamics.

The ideal professional development is one of constant active learning with varied sessions of participation. In order to learn new skills and information that makes it way to the classroom and the experiences of students, Desimone (2011) suggests professional development be highly variable in topic but always tied to active participation and communication focused. Teachers who have the opportunity to share new information with peers in informal situations create a school environment of constant evolution.


 * ==**//Critical Feature: Open Communication//**==

In Patrick, et. al, 2010, we read that a communication environment similar to a college classroom is critical. Each participant in professional development needs to feel comfortable to express his or her opinions. A environment where participants are scared to speak fails in the inherent goals of professional development. Participants should be encouraged to disgaree and voice opinions in all aspects of the learning process.


 * ==**//Critical Feature: Varied Experiences//**==

Tulinius, et.al 2010 asserts the need for a variety of experiences at professional development. Designers of professional development need to pay close attention to the actual experiences of the participants. How often do the participants move? How do they interact with fellow participants and session leaders? Critical questions regarding the specific experiences of participants need to be considered according to Tulinius, et. al (2010).

The ideal professional development is one where participants move around and meet other participants. A sense of freedom in both mental and physical experiences will work to create an experience where learning is active. These "varied experiences" also provide numerous additional benefits. At the most basic level, boredom is less likely when a variable series of experiences are planned. More complex benefits include engaging multiple learning styles by varied activities and the social dynamics that often blossom in moments of variable expectations and experiences.

=__References__=

Desimone, L. M. (2011). A Primer on Effective Professional Development. //Phi Delta Kappan//, //92//(6), 68-71.

Patrick, F., Elliot, D., Hulme, M., & McPhee, A. (2010). The importance of collegiality and reciprocal learning in the professional development of beginning teachers. //Journal Of// //Education For Teaching//, //36//(3), 277-289. doi:10.1080/02607476.2010.497373

Tulinius, C., & Hølge-Hazelton, B. (2010). Continuing professional development for general practitioners: supporting the development of professionalism. //Medical Education//, //44//(4), 412-420. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2923.2010.03620.x