A Look Into Job Embedded Professional Development

By Kevin Jones


Learning is important to both students and tutors. Therefore, a program that entails training educationists with the aim of bettering them so that they can be able to offer quality education to learners is termed as job embedded professional development. This process usually takes place in the workplace and during working hours. A connection between the student and the teacher is put under close study. One of the major reasons why teachers undergo such a process is that they can cater to all the academic needs of their students.

The reason why the school system focuses on such a program is because it has come to realization that for a child to learn they not only need the aid of one great teacher, but a number of helpful and great teachers along the way. For this reason, they have set up strategic plans as well as systematic operations all aimed at one goal, and that is the betterment of the student.

There are several formats of the JEPD; number one is the action research. Here, an aspect of teaching is selected by the teachers themselves for purposes of investigations. Data is collected and recorded drawing theories from literature research sources. Conclusions drawn from such studies are the impact of teaching on learning among others. Actually, the research is done to aim at improving teaching skills of the teacher and thus improve quality of education for the student.

Case discussions comes in as the second process. Here, a critical analysis of teaching techniques is done by the tutors themselves. After a case study comes in coaching; this is carried out by an instructional coach. It usually entails the coach doing a follow up on the teachers and may involve carrying out observations, demonstrations or conservation with the teachers. This process is largely aimed at encouraging the tutors in the implementation of new teaching techniques.

Group discussions are also formed. These are a little more different from the case discussions because they are more of a friendly nature. When the teachers meet, they may discuss about the various issues facing either them or their students. An issue that may arise in such cases is the level of difficulty in implementing certain teaching techniques in the classroom among other challenges.

The next process is carrying out a thorough assessment. An analysis of results obtained from the assessment tests carried out by the teachers themselves are done. Using these results, they formulate ways or methods they can use to help improve learning for the student. In addition for this to happen, they also go through the work of the students in order to attain a better understanding of the student. It also helps them identify the various challenges that face the students and work towards helping them through some of these issues.

The teachers formulate growth plans that are professional in nature as the next phase. These plans are extremely important as they will be used in keeping track of the performance of individual teachers. A study lesson is formed as a measure to demonstrate how teaching and learning can take place most effectively.

This program is an effective one as it goes to ensure the betterment of each and every student. It also helps the teachers to learn how to effectively follow and pass these instructions on to their students; thus, improve learning.




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