The technology of professional learning is changing. No longer are teachers participating in workshops as their primary means of learning. As educators learn more from research and practice about how students learn, they also come to understand more about how educators need to learn.

At this conference, participants will explore the differences between professional development and professional learning. They will experience several powerful designs themselves – deeply enough that they will be able to facilitate these designs with the educators with whom they work. They will evaluate current professional learning programs according to a variety of criteria. Then, using a Backmapping Model for planning, implementing, and evaluating professional learning, they will create a plan to remodel current professional learning approaches so that they more closely align with students’ learning needs, meet National Staff Development Council’s standards for staff development, and model the type of learning educators want their students to experience.

Participants will:

• Have a deep understanding about the differences between professional development and learning because they have experienced at least two professional learning designs.

• Summarize the components of powerful professional designs in their own words.

• Match the NSDC standards to the professional learning designs they have experienced.

• Be able to facilitate at least three powerful designs with their own staff members.

• Understand the connection between professional learning and student achievement by using the Backmapping Model to plan, implement, and evaluate professional learning (focus on evaluation).

• Use a visual dialogue design to create indicators of the effect of professional learning

Presenters

Dr. Lois Easton, recently retired as Director of Professional Development at Eagle Rock School and Professional Development Center, Estes Park, Colorado and author of Powerful Designs for Professional Development

Dr. Stevi Quate, Colorado Department of Education and Educational Consultant

Registration

Register securely online,
or download a registration form to mail in.

Registration fees are:
Members $375
Non-Members $420

Powerful Designs for Professional Learning, an $80+ value, will be given free of charge to participants preregistering by June 1.

Participants who attend the entire institute will receive 20 hours of professional development. Check with your school district for continuing education credits.

The institute qualifies as NCLB, Title II – Part A, Professional Development.

Accommodations and Travel

Make your travel plans early! We will begin at 2 pm on Monday, July 7 and end at 12 pm on Thursday, July 10.
Rooms must be reserved directly through the Grove Park Inn.
Download a housing form.

If you are flying into the area Asheville, NC (AVL) is the closest airport but Charlotte, NC (CLT), Greenville, SC (GSP) and Knoxville, TN (TYS) are all within a 2 hour drive.

Learn more about what to do in Asheville while you are there!

For additional information, contact Pat Shane (pshane@unc.edu), Karen Charles (kcharles@rti.org), or Susan Sprague (susansprague@yahoo.com).

Hosted by the North Carolina Science Leadership Association

We appreciate the support and contributions of the following organizations:

Sponsors: Holt McDougal and the North Carolina Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education Center (SMT Center)

Donors: Carolina Biological Supply Co. and Texas Instruments

Conributors: Lab-Aids, Galaxy Classroom and ExploreLearning