Transforming Teaching: The Elements
Professional Learning Series by Stephanie Hirsh
High-quality instructional materials and professional learning together increase student engagement and learning. In this set of seven learning modules or lessons, Dr. Stephanie Hirsh, co-author of The Elements, introduces educators to an approach to professional learning to mirror the experiences they want their students to have in the classroom, and reinforce and amplify the power of a high-quality curriculum and skillful teaching.
The Learning Journal offers a place for participants to respond to the various exercises (protocols) in the lessons. Download and print a copy to use along with the lessons.
Lesson 1: The Elements. In this lesson, participants will increase their knowledge of research findings related to instructional materials and professional learning, apply such findings, and consider the implications for their work.
Lesson 2: Transformative Professional Learning. In this lesson, participants will explore the six differences between traditional and transformative professional learning, assess the degree to which their professional learning is transformative, and consider these shifts or differences in the professional learning they are responsible for planning or experiencing.
Lesson 3: The Core Elements. In this lesson, participants will dive deeper into the core design features of The Elements framework that focus on the purpose of curriculum-based professional learning.
Lesson 4: Structural Elements. In this lesson, participants will gain an understanding of the structural design feature of The Elements, consider the implications for their work, and identify areas for further exploration.
Lesson 5: Functional Elements. In this lesson, participants will dive deeper into the four functional design elements of The Elements framework that inform how curriculum-based professional learning works when designed and implemented.
Lesson 6: Essential Elements. In this lesson, participants will dive deeper into the three elements referred to as the Essentials – the necessary conditions and support from system and school leaders for successful curriculum-based professional learning.
Lesson 7: A Call to Action for Teachers. In this lesson, participants will learn about the roles and responsibilities of teachers and others that contribute to effective curriculum-based professional learning.
More about the author:
Dr. Stephanie Hirsh worked for Learning Forward for more than thirty years; the last ten through 2019, as executive director. During her tenure with Learning Forward, she co-authored more than a dozen books; lectured internationally; and consulted with a range of policy- and decision-makers. Before her work with Learning Forward, she served as a teacher, central office administrator, and three-term school board member, all in the Richardson ISD (Texas) school system. She continues to write and advocate for effective professional learning systems. She also volunteers in her community and serves on a number of boards/committees that include education in their mission.
Twitter: @HirshLF
The Elements: Transforming Teaching through Curriculum-Based Professional Learning is a Challenge Paper from Carnegie Corporation of New York that explores how professional learning anchored in high-quality curriculum materials can allow teachers to experience instruction as their students will, change instructional practices, and lead to better student outcomes.
The goal of a Challenge Paper is to lift up ideas and issues in a way that will influence fields and the nation’s agenda. The subjects we deal with, along with the questions that we explore and the issues that we frame, grow out of our grantmaking work.