Professional learning

Some CESE publications are available as online professional learning for NSW public school staff.

They involve three activities:

  1. Reading or listening to a piece of research from CESE
  2. Completing a reflection task
  3. Completing a survey.

Role-based suggestions

Examples of how the professional learning could be used, by role:

Directors can use this professional learning as a framework for professional dialogue with their principals. A principal's reflection responses can be used to identify how they are enacting best practice in their school context. This could be done as a group, focusing on one particular reading, or individually with a course chosen on a topic with particular relevance to that principal and their director.

Principals can use this professional learning to underpin an aspect of their school plan. For example, if a principal has a process in their school that is focusing on improving reading, they can use this course to consolidate a consistent understanding of what the literature says. To do this they may ask teachers to complete the course 'CESE publications: Effective reading instruction in the early years of school'.

Teachers could read this paper or listen to the audio in their own time and then the principal could run a whole staff meeting where the staff group complete the reflection questions together. The meeting minutes could be submitted as evidence of completion.

Tip: If you are worried about being inundated by emails and MyPL sign offs, delegate MyPL supervision.

Middle executives can use this professional learning to build the capability of their stage or faculty team. For example, they may want to increase teacher capability in measuring student engagement so that they have more reliable data to make more informed decisions. For middle executives to sign off on the course they need to be the line supervisor in MyPL.

Teachers can undertake this professional learning individually and at their own pace. They can enrol in any course that is of interest or relevance to them and reflect on the evidence base in their own context. To complete this course, teachers will need to have their reflection responses marked off by their line manager in MyPL. This will most likely be the school principal.

If you are a casual teacher, check the 'Reports to' field in your MyPL account. You will need a line manager recorded in this field in order for course completion to be verified. Should you encounter any difficulties with this, please contact the MyPL team at mypl@det.nsw.edu.au.

These courses do not rely on face-to-face delivery. Teachers in rural and remote locations can use this professional learning to engage with the literature individually and at their own pace, or they could use online collaborative tools to share the learning. For example, a teacher who is geographically isolated could complete the reflection questions and then submit them to their line manager via MyPL.

Reflection task

The reflection task involves answering questions about how the research relates to your own practice and then submitting them to your line manager. Your line manager will assess if you have engaged with the task authentically, then sign off for accrediation.

The questions are designed to help you think honestly, deeply and critically about aspects of your professional practice. The reflection task could be completed individually at your own pace, or as part of a group (for example, in a staff meeting). The meeting minutes could be submitted as evidence of completion.

Category:

  • Professional learning
  • Professional learning
  • Teaching and learning

Business Unit:

  • Centre for Education Statistics and Evaluation
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