Assignment

Minhaj University Lahore

A Review Of Why Professional Development Matters

Submitted by:Faiqa Mukhtar

Department:-

Education
Submitted To:Sir Ijaz Ahmad Tatlah
Submission date:28-April-2016

Why Professional Development Matters:

Professional development is a kind of educational experiences related to an individual. Through

this one gets new knowledge and skills which increase the quality of performance in the job.
Sometimes it is the need of their job an often people/ individuals get it voluntarily. Professional
development improves quality of learning as well as their performance.
In education, professional development is of great importance. Student achievement is a major
factor which depends directly on teaching quality and school leadership. Professional
development is necessary not only to improve the student achievements but also for teachers to
improve their performances.
Hayes Mizells professional development, its importance, its purpose and how people get
maximum quality results through it. Professional development occurs informal as well as in
informal way i.e. through discussions, independent reading and research Ect. This directly affects
the students results. There are many terms commonly used for professional development, but it
does not matter because the only purpose is to improve learning of both teacher and students.
Only college, universities program are not enough to become good and effective school teacher.
Everyone learns through their own experiences but sometime experienced teachers face great
problems / challenges every year like change in subject matter , change of laws and policies and
new students need . To overcome these challenges, professional development

is need of the

day. New teachers face a number of problems like class room management, instructions, school
culture, administration, parent teachers and most important students behavior. Research shows
that at least two year intensive mentoring leads to the good and improved results of students
learning. Like new teachers, new principals and assistant principal also need professional
development to address their specific roles as school leaders.
There is no professional development is schools for the parents because major focus is to
improve students education. It can be more effective in schools is it takes place before classes
begin or after they end. Although there are many institution and centers where professional
development may occur but it becomes more beneficial if it based on teachers daily work in the
same school where they work. On time professional development can be useful for learning but it

has some limitations. A teacher gets much experience and improvements to become member of a
team as compare to individuals online learning.
There are some typically modes of professional development I,e individual reading, coaching,
team meeting and college / university courses Etc. Not only thought planning but its proper
implementation is must to make the professional development more effective. It must be insured
that it meets the learning needs of teachers. Effectiveness of professional development on
teachers, how they learn, plan and convey it to the students. Unfortunately, teachers take no
change in learning experiences; they create same as of their own, which were neither good nor
effective.
Learning forward is a professional organization that works for the fulfillment of needs about
professional development. The leadership team analyzes the student achievement data to find
out common student teacher problems but also their solutions. Team learning is a most effective
approach to get good learning because in this way less experience teachers interact with the
experienced teachers and take collective responsibility for the success of students.
Learning team is a group of teachers and school leaders who work together to use data and get
solution to improve school teacher problems about learning. They work with an expert consultant
and knowledgeable person to take improvements in leanings. Their professional development
occurs when they are able to share with their members what they are learning and what
experiences they get. Learning teams will stay together till the time to meet the needs about
learning. In teams learning, they share their experiences, ask questions and find the reasons for
good learning. After leaving the team, if a teacher realizes that he needs more about learning he
may rejoin the team in another round. This cycle of improvement shows that how much teachers
are devoted to work for effective student learning and to get beneficial solution of student
learning problems.
To meet the educational goals, all the teacher of school must participate in professional
development. If the principal is not satisfied with teachers performance he may engage that
teacher in profession development, like wise a principal by its supervisor. Most admirable thing
is if an educator itself realizes the need to improve its knowledge to better serve the students.
Schools can arrange daily schedules to meet teachers during work day, spend funds outside the
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regular work day or within vacation. During school year, teachers must be convenient to apply
on students immediately what they learn.
According to learning forwards, school districts dedicate 10% of their budgets and 25% of
teachers time for learning. At least 30% should be devoted to teachers development 1% to 3%
spent on professional development. Federal government admires 10% of title 1 fund for under
forming allocated to professional development. To minimize the cost allocating for professional
development a school must engage small teams of teachers in team directed professional learning
within the work week it is not sure that most expensive professional development is most
effective. Effectiveness depends on proper planning and its implementation. Results of
professional development can be examined through surveys interviews and tests. Professional
development is of great value if teachers apply what they learn.

School boards make policies and may call for a valuation to find out the effect of investment.
Most states have laws for professional development to provide minimum number of days with
funding. While federal educating arranges programs with proper funding for professional
development. The school having permanent development expects teachers to participate in useful
learning, is more focus and effective. Effecting teaching is a result of struggle, hard work and
study. Students achievements only depend on teachers ability to keep their students involve in a
mode of high quality professional development. Public knows the importance to professional
development as students learn more if teacher deliver more. Parents and citizens are much
interactive with their students future due to this, they demand to high quality of professional
development. Everyone is responsible for the betterment of the professional development on its
own behalf.
Responsible for professional development mostly adopt ways which do not energize or assist the
educators/ teachers. These responsible do not take steps carefully for the implementation of
professional development to get the desired results. Poor management and some other factors of
professional development lead to complaints. Mostly educators complain that the participation in
professional development does not meet the required results. If professional development well
organized, all the educators/ teachers will value it. Learning forward is an international
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organization of learning educators. Members of this association are committed to professional

learning to improve student teacher learning. All citizens including parents, school boards
members, and policy makers may join and share information for improving valuable professional
development.