Highly Effective PD

Professional Development: Learning from the Best
This North Central Regional Educational Laboratory (NCREL) site is shaped by research done in "real award-winning schools and districts" that have used professional development to change and excel. It is designed to be a toolkit for schools and districts to reshape professional development programs to match those used in highly effective schools.

Professional Development: Staff Learning for Student Results
NCREL calls this a "comprehensive Web source on school professional development." It is. The site has a wide range of information to help your school or district provide effective professional development.

Peer Coaching's Role in Integrating Technology to Enhance Student Achievement
This paper outlines what educational researchers have documented about the value and power of peer coaching as a professional development model.

High Quality Professional Development: Finding Time for Professional Development
This Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory site offers practical ways that schools have found to create more time for professional development.

What We Know: Research
The Metiri group maintains this site, which outlines current research on effective professional development practices.

Building Bridges: The Mission and Principles of Professional Development
This U.S. Department of Education site talks about the linkage between educational reform and professional development and identifies principles of high quality professional development.

Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development
(Follow the link above, and then click on the March 2006 Issue entitled Improving Professional Development.) In this issue of Educational Leadership, authors describe how to conduct peer evaluations, form study groups, improve collegial interactions, document observations of students, and use research applications. You can read article abstracts or buy full-text versions.

Adult Learners

Adult Learning Theory
This NCREL site discusses the key characteristics of adult learning theory.

Knowles: Studying the Adult Learner
This Honolulu Community College (HCC) site has an insightful list of characteristics of the adult learner.

Principles of Adult Learners: Treat Learners Like Adults
This HCC site has more valuable insights about the adult learner.

Principles of Adult Learning: Adults as Learners
This HCC site has principles for adult learning, methods to motivate adult learners, and teaching tips for effective instructors.