While the teaching profession is rewarding, it's also full of challenges that can negatively impact morale. Just scan the newspaper or turn on the evening news to see yet another story about educator burnout and disillusionment. The daily requirements of the job take their toll on even the most motivated teachers. When morale is low, educators are more likely to leave the profession or struggle to perform to their potential if they stay, which can negatively impact student achievement.
Districts around the nation are aware of these issues and are looking for ways to provide teachers with the support that they need to perform their best in the classroom. More professional development (PD) may not be the first thing that comes to mind when most people think about how to increase educator morale, but that’s because the typical one-size-fits-all PD model doesn't address the diverse needs of teachers.
When done correctly, personalized learning can transform what was once considered a chore into a tool for boosting morale.
The Need for Personalized Learning
Teachers are unique individuals with different strengths, weaknesses, and learning styles. Unfortunately, traditional PD often doesn't take these facts into account and features cookie-cutter courses that fail to engage or inspire those it's supposed to support. However, personalized PD changes everything. It’s self-directed and enables educators to actively participate in their education.
Tailoring learning experiences to the teachers' needs based on where they're at in their careers and the skills that they need to develop makes PD more relevant and can increase engagement, leading to higher levels of satisfaction. This type of PD acknowledges that educators are starved for time and doesn't confine learning to strict schedules or locations. Instead, they can learn when and where they want and at their own pace.
Key Components of Effective Personalized Learning
A learning hub like MobileMind can make all the difference in designing personalized learning programs that boost teacher morale. It can give leaders the flexibility and tools to create PD experiences that meet the diverse needs of the educators in their districts. For example, micro-learning and learning paths are crucial aspects of personalized learning.
With micro-learning, instead of sitting down to an hour-long lecture, teachers can take brief, focused, engaging courses that last only a few minutes. While this may not seem like enough time to learn anything substantial, research says otherwise. Learning in short bursts can improve retention and understanding, making it easier for educators to integrate new skills and knowledge. Likewise, learning paths can provide a customized blueprint to follow, enabling them to go through the material at their own pace and systematically build upon their skills.
Job-embedded training enables teachers to learn with the technology that they're using in the classroom. For example, if they’re working on something using Google Slides, MobileMind's patent-pending guided learning technology can provide them with step-by-step instructions and hands-on challenges within that environment.
Everyone enjoys being recognized for a job well done, and learning hubs that incorporate gamification and recognition can help keep educators motivated and coming back for more. Whether through leaderboards that show how they stack up against their colleagues, digital badges that display their achievements, or micro-credentials that show off what they learned, gamification can bring much-needed entertainment and fun to the PD experience.
The Role of Technology in Personalized Learning
Technology is central to personalized learning programs, and learning hubs can facilitate it. Districts can use the tools available on learning hubs to create and deliver tailored educational experiences that meet the unique needs of each teacher, including micro-courses and adaptable learning.
A learning hub also enables a district to track the progress of its educators through courses and ensure that they're meeting their goals. With digital portfolios, teachers can keep all their achievements in one place, making them easy to access as needed. Districts can then use these portfolios to quickly determine whether an educator needs to strengthen a specific skill or has gaps in knowledge that need to be addressed.
The Impact on Teacher Morale and Professional Growth
Personalized learning puts teachers in the driver's seat of their PD experience. PD that is relevant and useful and allows for active participation is more likely to positively impact morale and motivation than traditional approaches that assume that all educators need to gain the same competencies.
Conclusion
Over the long term, personalized learning supports professional growth by addressing each teacher's individual needs, giving them opportunities for in-depth knowledge and skill development, which is more effective than traditional workshops. As districts increasingly embrace this personalized learning, educators can begin to look forward to PD and recognize its essential role in their professional lives.
Most professional development programs only specialize in one thing. MobileMind offers personalized, activity-based learning with reporting and tracking. Fun digital badges upon courses completed give teachers immediate takeaways to use in the classroom. Schedule a call with MobileMind or request a demo to differentiate the PD that your teachers want and need.
