SHIFT SHIFT HAPPENS!HAPPENS!

English Montreal School English Montreal School BoardBoard

AQIFGA Sheraton , LavalAQIFGA Sheraton , LavalApril 18, 2013April 18, 2013

LEARNING CIRCLES

WORKSHOP GOAL WORKSHOP GOAL

The goal of this workshop is to introduce The goal of this workshop is to introduce

participants to the concept of learning participants to the concept of learning circles as a circles as a

form of professional development for form of professional development for individuals individuals

involved in the field of education.involved in the field of education.

2

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENTPROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Definition:Definition:

the the processprocess of of

enhancing staff enhancing staff

(teachers’ and(teachers’ and

administrators’)administrators’)

skills and competenciesskills and competencies

with the aim of with the aim of improvingimproving

student learning gainsstudent learning gains

Purpose:Purpose:

to to enableenable staff staff

members to members to developdevelop the the

knowledge, skills and knowledge, skills and

behaviors required to behaviors required to create safecreate safe

learning environments that learning environments that

enable enable all all students tostudents to

demonstrate higher levels demonstrate higher levels of of

achievementachievement

3

ACTIVITY ACTIVITY 11

4

PROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DEVELOPMENT

5

TRADITIONAL PD TRADITIONAL PD OFTEN…OFTEN…

Is fragmented and simplisticIs fragmented and simplistic

Addresses too many topicsAddresses too many topics

Lacks focusLacks focus

Lacks sustained support and follow-throughLacks sustained support and follow-through

Does not result in change in student Does not result in change in student achievementachievement

Is not readily integrated with classroom practiceIs not readily integrated with classroom practice

Relegates participants to a passive roleRelegates participants to a passive role

6

CHARACTERISTICS OF CHARACTERISTICS OF EFFECTIVEEFFECTIVE PROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENTDEVELOPMENT Results-drivenResults-driven

Focused on helping teachers become deeply Focused on helping teachers become deeply immersed in subject matter and teaching immersed in subject matter and teaching methodsmethods

Curriculum-centeredCurriculum-centered

Sustained, thorough and cumulativeSustained, thorough and cumulative

Directly linked to what teachers do in their Directly linked to what teachers do in their classroomsclassrooms

Supported by administrationSupported by administration

7

WHY LEARNING CIRCLES?WHY LEARNING CIRCLES?

One of the One of the most effective most effective

forms of professional development is forms of professional development is when when

teachers have opportunities to work teachers have opportunities to work together and together and

learn from each other. learn from each other.

8

ACTIVITY ACTIVITY 22 WHAT IS A LEARNING WHAT IS A LEARNING CIRCLE? CIRCLE?

9

ACTIVITY 2ACTIVITY 2 WHAT IS A LEARNING WHAT IS A LEARNING CIRCLE?CIRCLE?

How does a learning circle differ from a How does a learning circle differ from a discussion group?discussion group?

What are the six essential condition for What are the six essential condition for authentic professional development?authentic professional development?

What role can a learning circle play in your What role can a learning circle play in your centre?centre?

10

LEARNING CIRCLESLEARNING CIRCLES

DefinitionDefinition

OrganizationOrganization

Roles Roles

Essential conditionsEssential conditions

11

OBSERVATIONS AND OBSERVATIONS AND

CONCLUSIONS CONCLUSIONS

Teachers who participate in learning Teachers who participate in learning circlescircles

Feel less isolatedFeel less isolated

Create new knowledge about teaching Create new knowledge about teaching and learningand learning

Have an increased understanding of the Have an increased understanding of the curriculum and of the roles they play in curriculum and of the roles they play in helping students learnhelping students learn

12

OBSERVATIONS AND OBSERVATIONS AND

CONCLUSIONS CONCLUSIONS

(cont.) (cont.)

Are more open to changeAre more open to change

Are better informed and more inspiredAre better informed and more inspired

Show more satisfaction and higher Show more satisfaction and higher moralemorale

Share responsibility for teaching and Share responsibility for teaching and learninglearning

13

GALILEO ADULT CENTREGALILEO ADULT CENTRE LEARNING CIRCLE LEARNING CIRCLE

TestimonialsTestimonials

14

REFLECTIONSREFLECTIONS

15

EMSB LEARNING CIRCLESEMSB LEARNING CIRCLES

16