Learning Forward Blog
Haven’t we done this before?
By Melinda George |
It’s finally springtime in Washington, D.C. Cherry blossoms and tulips are blooming, kids are counting down to the last day of school, and the federal appropriations process begins anew. Wait — didn’t we just finish the appropriations process? It’s true. It is time to gear up for the fiscal year 2019 appropriations process, and our…
The Learning Forward Foundation Scholarship and Grant 2018 Award Winners
By Learning Forward |
By Jill Lachenmayr With tremendous appreciation and inspiration, the Learning Forward Foundation is delighted to support educator professional learning by partnering with selected learning leaders each year, to help them transform their beliefs and practice to improve professional learning in their organizations. We are excited to announce the Learning Forward Foundation scholarship and grant award…
Leverage research on curriculum and professional learning to fulfill the vision of PLCs
By Stephanie Hirsh |
Perhaps you’ve seen our recent blogs calling on professional learning communities (PLCs) to anchor their work in the deep study of their curriculum and instructional materials. At Learning Forward, we have always been explicit about the importance of focusing professional learning on the outcomes we expect for students and their teachers. Now, a growing body…
Maintaining relevance in changing times
By Learning Forward |
By Kim Tucker and Rosemary Seitel When Hurricane Mitch hit and decimated the Caribbean Islands in 1998, landforms were dramatically changed. Where rivers once flowed, land emerged. The hurricane had created a new channel, and the bridge, once above the Choluteca River, was now suspended over land. Mitch had ravaged the pride of Honduras, but…
Whatever name you give it, the PLC plays an important role
By Stephanie Hirsh |
In my view, no learning model has captured educators’ attention more than collaborative learning structures. Over the last few decades, they’ve had many names, starting with professional learning communities (PLCs). In some corners, they became professional learning networks or learning teams. We also use the terms communities of practice and networked improvement communities. The approach…
Why teachers embrace — or reject — technology tools
By Stephanie Hirsh |
Every week, it seems, there are enticing new technology tools developed for educators, schools, and school systems. What is it that leads teachers to use such resources? Learning Forward recently concluded a study to understand the factors that drive teachers to embrace — or reject — the use of tools specifically created to help them…
Learning Forward Nebraska plants seeds of learning
By Learning Forward |
By Jill Lachenmayr Spring. A time of transformation and growth. It renews our spirit with the anticipation of spring flowers and new possibilities. It’s a time when many eagerly look forward to planting gardens, knowing that with a little care and attention, the fruits of their labor will emerge. Beautiful, bountiful and satisfying. Learning Forward…
Let’s make the most of teachers’ time together
By Stephanie Hirsh |
Research has shown that effective collaboration results in higher levels of learning and performance by educators and students. Yet we also know that merely setting aside time and room for teams to work together does not guarantee these benefits. So what are the essential elements of effective collaboration? Many of the answers lie in the…
How systems can support high-quality curricula
By Frederick Brown |
In her recent blog post, Learning Forward Executive Director Stephanie Hirsh argued that the impact of high-quality curricula will be fully realized when grade-level, subject-specific professional learning communities place deep study and planning for how to use these instructional materials at the core of their work. But, as Learning Forward’s Standards for Professional Learning make…
