New service represents an effort to break away from one-size-fits-all PD approach
A new professional development (PD) system from Amplify aims to personalize PD for educators using smart technology.
Professional Learning Maps will break from the one-size-fits-all approach offered by most professional development providers to give teachers exactly what they need, when they need it, the company says.
Professional Learning Maps starts with a diagnostic survey during which educators analyze their instructional practices. Based on the survey results, interactive maps instantly show each educator their areas of strength and need. Professional Learning Maps then charts specific sequences of proven professional development content delivered through both online, learn-at-your-own-pace modules and targeted in-person group sessions led by school leaders and expert Amplify coaches.
(Next page: More about Amplify’s latest PD offering)
The product will expand to support educators in building the specific skills necessary to:
- Implement new standards for ELA and math
- Integrate technology into classroom instruction
- Support parent and family engagement.
Research has shown that sustained efforts to improve educator skills lead to improved academic outcomes for students. Yet less than one-third of educators think current professional development is having an impact on student performance.
A report from the National Staff Development Council determined that teachers need significant PD in a given area—about 50 hours a year—to improve their skills, but a majority of teachers said that they felt much of it was not useful. That’s where Professional Learning Maps can help.
In Delaware, Amplify’s PD was credited in part for the rise of state assessment scores during the 2011-2013 school years.
“Through our partnership with Amplify, we’ve been able to provide meaningful supports and resources to our state’s educators and school leaders that have changed the way we utilize available data and influenced instructional decisions within classrooms and schools,” said Jonathan Neubauer, Education Associate from the Educator Effectiveness Teacher and Leader Unit in Delaware.
“One key component has been Amplify’s Professional Learning Maps, which allow school leaders to identify their staff’s professional development needs and accelerate the work of Professional Learning Communities across the state of Delaware,” Neubauer continued.
Starting in January and for a limited time, Amplify is offering Professional Learning Maps to first-time users for just $1,000 per school for one month. Normally retailing for $4,000 per school, the annual license fee includes the web-based diagnostic survey, interactive maps, and differentiated PD for leaders and educators.
Material from a press release was used in this report.