Jon and Colleagues:  I've been thinking that learning communities may be
a solution to the PD problem.  I doubt that there will ever be
sufficient funding for PD, and if there were, that the training would
always be in sync with the needs of teachers.   My background in
sustainable development leads me to the notion that PD needs to be
guided by a local more knowledgeable teacher around an issue that all
the teachers in the group are interested in and value enough that they
will come without payment.  Technology allows for a learning community
to be made up of members at a distance, and I think the special topics
that are announced on this listserv are examples of "proto-learning
communities".  

 

Michael Tate

 

From: professionaldevelopment-bounces at nifl.gov
[mailto:professionaldevelopment-bounces at nifl.gov] On Behalf Of Jon Engel
Sent: Wednesday, November 12, 2008 10:57 AM
To: 'The Adult Literacy Professional Development Discussion List'
Subject: [ProfessionalDevelopment 2645] Re: [Professional
Development2639]Professional Development Challenge?

 


>From a local adult education program administrator in a state that does

almost nothing to support the adult education enterprise, I would have
to agree with Dan in regard to adequate resources.  PD becomes a
difficult budget variable when dealing with a part time workforce.
Teachers need to be paid for their commitment to PD activities, but if
they really get involved with PD, it becomes a cost that is
unsupportable at this time-at least in Texas.

 

Jon Engel

Adult Education Director

Community Action Inc.

PO Box 748

San Marcos, TX 78666

Voice  (512)392-1161 ext. 334

Fax  (512)396-4255

Email  jengel at communityaction.com

Web www.communityaction.com 

________________________________

From: professionaldevelopment-bounces at nifl.gov
[mailto:professionaldevelopment-bounces at nifl.gov] On Behalf Of Dan
Sent: Tuesday, November 11, 2008 9:57 PM
To: 'The Adult Literacy Professional Development Discussion List'
Subject: [ProfessionalDevelopment 2639] Re: [Professional Development
2639]Professional Development Challenge?

 

Adequate resources to  develop and deliver meaningful PD in a time of
great uncertainty and limited budgets.  Resources include time, money,
and staffing and  administrators  up and down the line that value true
professional development as a means to improve services to students.
This goes along with the lack of trust in themselves and trust in their
students on the part of many teachers and then to rely on teacher
centered instruction and adherence to the mantra  that expectations in
and of themselves is enough to motivate students to achieve.  

 

Dan Wann 

Two Leaves Consulting, LLC 

Indianapolis, IN 

From: professionaldevelopment-bounces at nifl.gov
[mailto:professionaldevelopment-bounces at nifl.gov] On Behalf Of Kathryn
Land
Sent: Tuesday, November 11, 2008 8:29 PM
To: professionaldevelopment at nifl.gov
Subject: [ProfessionalDevelopment 2639] Professional Development
Challenge?

 

What do you feel is the biggest professional development challenge for
adult educators in the next 5-10 years?

 

I would be interested in any opinions or thoughts on the top issues we
will face.

 

Thanks,

Kathryn 

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