The Three Most Common Types of Teacher Professional Development and How to Make Them Better (2024)

Professional development for educators is inextricably linked to student outcomes. Yet, PowerSchool’s 2023 Education Focus Report found that only 4 in 10 educators say they receive quality professional development to personalize learning for students. At a time when students who were in school during the pandemic are being called “education’s lost generation,” improving teacher professional development is urgently essential.

What is Professional Development for Teachers?

Professional development for teachers refers to an educator’s formal ongoing career growth, which consists of improving their knowledge, skills, and competencies to support their effectiveness in the classroom. Continuous professional learning throughout a teacher’s career includes staying current with effective best practices; addressing the changing landscape of the needs of students, families, and communities; being informed about policies and statutes, and any changes to those policies and statutes, that govern the work of educators; and adapting to evolving professional responsibilities, such as increasing the use of technology tools in the classroom.

5 Ways Professional Development Improves Teaching

Professional development helps educators grow their knowledge, skills, and practice in these five essential ways:

1. Teachers learn to teach better. When educators discover new learning strategies, they take those strategies back to their classroom to implement them. This makes professional development an efficient and effective way to bring about instructional change.
2. Teachers feel professionally supported. When schools and districts invest in the growth of their educators, educators feel that their talent is being nurtured. For teachers who aspire to administrative or leadership positions, PD helps them learn from experienced leaders to become effective future leaders themselves. All teachers feel more engaged and invested in their work when they sense that their school wants them to reach their full potential.
3. Teachers increase their cultural competence. In an increasingly diverse and multicultural learning environment, professional development helps teachers become more culturally competent. This equips them to better understand and connect with students from diverse backgrounds, leading to improved relationships and learning outcomes.
4. Teachers model being a student. One of the best ways to instill curiosity and a growth mindset in students is to practice both oneself. When students see their teachers learning and growing, they are better able to take risks, face uncertainty, and focus on their learning journey.
5. Teachers collaborate. Ideas in isolation are good, but ideas in groups are great. Providing opportunities for teachers to interact with and learn from one another ensures that educators are always innovating, creating, and experimenting.

Three Most Common Types of Teacher Professional Development

The top three types of teacher professional development are periodic workshops, in-class observation, and single-session seminars. By keeping a few general principles in mind, you can improve each type of teacher PD.

Periodic Workshops

Many consulting companies offer workshops series. They contract with a school or district for a year—or perhaps longer—to deliver regular professional development around a certain theme, such as “Creating Common Core Assessments” or “Explicit Direct Instruction Lesson Design Training.” The workshops can cover topics from academic content to school culture to DEIJ initiatives.

An alternative to bringing in an outside consultant is to invite teachers to present at periodic workshops that are centered on themes such as “Innovative Assessments” or “Project-Based Learning Curriculum.” This provides teachers the opportunity to share with their colleagues what they’re doing with their students, moving their work beyond the individual classroom and into the school community at large.

In-class Observation

While in-class observation is typically thought of as a component of teacher evaluations, it doesn’t always have to be so formal. Consider instituting an “open door” policy for your teachers. When a teacher has a free period, they are welcome to drop in on a class with an open door to observe the teacher and students at work. Not only does this help build a culture of collegiality among your teachers, but it also encourages ongoing conversations about best practices, content knowledge, and classroom management strategies.

Single-session seminars

Single-session seminars are a “one-off” form of PD that typically takes place on a day the students have off from school. Often seen as ineffective or a burdensome obligation among teachers, these sessions may lack efficacy because the subject matter is irrelevant or abstract, and it takes time away from the many other tasks teachers already don’t have the time to complete.

The best way to improve single-session seminars is to ask your teachers how they want to spend the time. Gathering in professional learning communities (PLCs)? Working on a collective inquiry? Discussing school policies such as discipline or summer reading? When teachers have a say in how they spend their PD time, they’re more invested and engaged, and more likely to feel it was beneficial to their work.

What is the most effective professional development for teachers?

There is increasing evidence that instructional coaching and teacher collaboration are the most effective forms of professional development for teachers. The biggest benefit of instructional coaching is that it is specifically tailored to the individual growth needs of the teacher. The one-on-one format provides targeted support and ongoing and embedded feedback. For example, if a teacher particularly struggles with classroom management, their instructional coach will work with them to establish order, maximize instructional time, maintain a safe and respectful learning environment, and promote student engagement in learning. At the same time, that teacher’s colleague may be an expert at classroom management, but struggles to implement technology tools in their work. Their instructional coach will help them integrate edtech tools into their curriculum.

Teacher collaboration is highly beneficial for professional development because it:

• Invites the sharing of expertise across subject matter and experience
• Gives space for diverse perspectives
• Strengthens staff relationships
• Allows for peer feedback, which can be less intimidating than evaluative feedback from administrators
• Creates a pool of shared resources
• Increases innovation
• Provides support and encouragement in a demanding profession
• Taps into resources that are already within the school community

7 Key Elements of Effective PD

In a report focused on the features of effective professional development and its impact on student outcomes, Darling-Hammond, Hyler, and Gardner identified several key elements of effective teacher PD:

1. Focus on content—Provide PD that supports specific instructional strategies in specific subjects. For example, an English language arts session that focuses on understanding student metacognition as applied to Julius Caesar will have a more significant impact on helping teachers structure lessons accordingly.
2. Create opportunities for active learning—The theory of andragogy tells us that adults have a need to direct themselves, use prior experience, solve real-world problems, and immediately apply new knowledge to current job responsibilities. Adults have an innate need for opportunities to develop autonomy, mastery, and purpose in their work.
3. Support work-embedded collaboration—Encourage PD that helps educators develop peer observation strategies, data teaming communication protocols, co-teaching models, and more.
4. Model best practices—Just like a tell me, show me, involve me strategy can work with students, moving to modeling and application instead of “sit-and-get” lecture-based PD can be powerful for adult learners.
5. Coach and support—Instructional coaching is a non-evaluative way to create opportunities for ongoing observation, feedback, reflection, and improved practice, whether provided by experienced colleagues or external consultants.
6. Incorporate feedback and reflective practice—Providing teachers with substantive, specific, and timely feedback, including adequate time to reflect and act upon that feedback, is best for instructional improvement.
7. Deliver the PD over a period of time—The one-shot PD session is not as effective as it could be if not paired with ongoing support and engagement. A strategic release of PD over a defined timeframe is much stronger.

3 Ways to Improve Professional Development

One of the most common challenges school administrators face is providing relevant and effective professional development (PD). The most successful professional learning opportunities are meaningful, can be implemented and sustained, and lead to enhanced student learning.

1. How to Improve Periodic Workshops

There is often a disconnect between introducing a new idea, implementing that idea, and sustaining that implementation. That’s why it’s important to move beyond periodic workshops to ongoing PD that provides opportunities to apply and refine new ideas over time.

The Center for Public Education reported that allotting a significant amount of time—say, as much as 50 hours—gives teachers the chance to demonstrate mastery of a new instructional strategy. Teachers should be active, not passive, during those 50 hours.

Which strategy do you think is more effective: reviewing a PowerPoint and reading examples about integrating technology into lesson plans, or actively building a Webquest with a future lesson in mind, peer-reviewing the results, sharing the work with students, and getting back together to reflect on learning outcomes?

You guessed it. Ongoing, active, and continuous PD wins the day.

2. How to Improve In-Class Observations

Observation is a fantastic way to learn new things. The challenging part lies in implementing these new techniques. Educators can go next door and easily watch their colleagues teach an inspiring lesson using a different KWL literacy strategy or simulation activity, but that doesn’t always translate into action.

Again, ongoing support and application are the keys to effective teacher PD. Working with a coach to implement, debrief, and provide actionable insights following a new strategy can make all the difference. A coach can also shadow the teacher as they observe another class, model skills, assist with implementation, and provide substantive feedback.

Another key is clearly articulating (and agreeing on) what learning should look like with a new technique or tool. Having a clear definition and setting expectations along with a detailed rubric used in observation and evaluation matters makes a significant impact.

Teachers also need school leaders to provide them with the most valuable resource—time—to observe their colleagues during the school day. This can be achieved with particular schedules, rotating substitutes, and more.

3. How to Improve Single-Session Seminars

Trying to put on a one-and-done seminar can be exhausting and less effective. Single-session seminars are too often misaligned with the actual needs of teachers. You can picture it—the entire faculty gathers in a sizable room and receives a lecture-style PD session. There is usually not enough time for teachers to discuss ideas or outline implementation strategies.

Why not let teachers take the lead? Through forming teacher-led professional learning communities (PLCs), teachers can create and discuss instructional techniques within an environment of continuous encouraging mentorship. This way, the single-session seminar becomes a powerhouse for instructional improvement.

10 Ways Technology Can Improve Teacher Professional Development

Technology offers numerous ways to improve teacher professional development, making it more accessible, personalized, and effective. Here are several ways you could consider incorporating technology in your PD:

1. Online courses and webinars—Technology enables teachers to access a wide range of professional development courses and webinars online. This allows educators to engage in learning opportunities that suit their schedules and interests, often without the need to travel to physical locations. On-demand experiences are even better because teachers can do it at home in the evening, during a free period, or whenever their schedule best accommodates it, preventing the need to disrupt their entire routine.
2. Collaboration tools–Technology facilitates collaboration among educators. Teachers can use digital tools like video conferencing, collaboration platforms, and online discussion forums to engage with peers, share insights, and work on collaborative projects.
3. Data and analytics–Technology can help educators track their professional development progress. Using analytics, teachers can monitor their performance in online courses, identify areas for improvement, and receive recommendations for further learning.
4. Personalized learning paths–Technology allows for the creation of personalized learning paths. Educators can select professional development resources and courses that align with their specific needs, interests, and career goals.
5. AI and machine learning–Artificial intelligence (AI) can recommend relevant professional development opportunities based on a teacher’s past learning history, areas of interest, and classroom needs.
6. Blended learning–Blended learning combines online and in-person professional development. Technology can facilitate the online component, making it easier to coordinate and manage the combination of both formats.
7. E-portfolios–Teachers can create e-portfolios to showcase their professional development accomplishments, skills, and growth. These portfolios can be easily shared with administrators, colleagues, and potential employers.
8. Resource sharing–Online platforms and social media allow educators to share resources and insights related to professional development. Teachers can easily access and disseminate best practices and innovative ideas.
9. Online communities–Teachers can join online communities, forums, and social networks dedicated to professional development. These platforms provide opportunities for peer support, knowledge exchange, and networking. Teachers can connect with colleagues in neighboring towns, distant states, or countries across the world.
10. Microlearning–Technology can support microlearning, which involves short, focused, and easily digestible learning modules. This approach is particularly suitable for busy educators seeking to acquire specific skills or knowledge quickly.

How PowerSchool Supports Professional Development

Transformational PD starts with identifying opportunities to show and involve teachers in modeling new instructional practices or approaches. This will help them translate high-level ideas into classroom practice.

You likely have an untapped resource at your disposal that can help you increase the engagement and effectiveness of teacher PD.

Already using PowerSchool Schoology Learning as your learning management system (LMS)? With PowerSchool Professional Learning, you can deliver PD courses within Schoology Learning and provide busy teachers with a seamless experience on a platform they already know how to use. When a teacher selects an online Schoology Learning course, they are smoothly transported to the course interface. Single sign-on means they don‘t need to log in again, saving time and eliminating the hassle of managing multiple passwords. Upon completing each course, the credits automatically sync with their Professional Learning transcript.

The PowerSchool Premium Library expands your teachers’ and staff’s online professional learning options with a growing library of high-quality, self-paced PD courses from accredited vendors. Easily search, assign, and track PD so you can ensure you’re consistently meeting core educator learning needs. Provide targeted training to your educators and staff on the most relevant education subjects today. Course subjects span a variety of content areas, target audiences, grade levels, and professional standards, and cover topics such as compliance, social and emotional learning (SEL), and classroom technology.

PowerSchool Perform is flexible K-12 teacher evaluation software that enables you to conduct in-person or virtual teacher and staff evaluations, simplify management, and provide clear feedback to support your entire staff. With flexible evaluation options and clear tracking and communication, you can easily turn evaluations into growth plans to guide personalized professional development.

Professional development provides teachers with the tools, knowledge, and resources they need to continuously refine and improve their teaching practices. By staying updated and engaged in their professional growth, teachers can make a significant positive impact on their students’ learning experiences.