"Professional development is a continuous learning process across all levels of ... (?the institution) for the entire learning community. Quality professional development expands the capacity of the learning community to realize its vision and reach its goals" (http://dpi.wi.gov/cssch/cssprofdev1.html).
If "the institution" means the collaboratory, the definition as altered suggests containment and leveling within the institution itself, doesn't it?Re: Professional Development Definition and community writ large
by Paul Beaufait -
Number of replies: 2
On the wiki, someone removed part of the original Wisconsin State Superintendent's definition of professional development that I recited here. Though the original reads "all levels of education," the definition on the wiki now refers to an unspecified or genericized institution:
In reply to Paul Beaufait
Re: Professional Development Definition and community writ large
Hi Paul,
Although I agree that it means this -- I am reflecting on the words --"containment and leveling within ..." because although I get that there are implicit parameters of containment -- I'm not at all clear on what these are. Also, leveling -- as in leveling the playing field -- seems somewhat grandiose -- although with great intentions -- and I find myself feeling a bit hesitant to breathe -- holding with a feeling of doubt -- but hopeful -- wondering while holding that doubt within myself ... still for a few moments -- how to embrace the ever changing information, filtering at many levels, resynthesizing what is being birthed or formed here.
My body wants to breathe inward and outward and again I breathe inward -- as I make room for new paradigms or complexities within PD learning. There seems to be a "trans" place -- of post-post-modernism -- not so easily defined, but okay -- more stirrings, sharings, shiftings, and becomings. Jo Ann
Although I agree that it means this -- I am reflecting on the words --"containment and leveling within ..." because although I get that there are implicit parameters of containment -- I'm not at all clear on what these are. Also, leveling -- as in leveling the playing field -- seems somewhat grandiose -- although with great intentions -- and I find myself feeling a bit hesitant to breathe -- holding with a feeling of doubt -- but hopeful -- wondering while holding that doubt within myself ... still for a few moments -- how to embrace the ever changing information, filtering at many levels, resynthesizing what is being birthed or formed here.
My body wants to breathe inward and outward and again I breathe inward -- as I make room for new paradigms or complexities within PD learning. There seems to be a "trans" place -- of post-post-modernism -- not so easily defined, but okay -- more stirrings, sharings, shiftings, and becomings. Jo Ann
In reply to Jo Ann Hammond-Meiers
Re: Professional Development Definition and community writ large
by Paul Beaufait -
Thank you, Jo Ann, for taking a breather, resynthesizing doubt and hope.
In retrospect, I believe that "all levels" in the original definition that Nancy posted may have been referring to K-12 units (and beyond), and their constituent institutional hierarchies, within the State of Wisconsin. In comparison, Paul Stacey's introductory post in this forum (Developing a Professional Development Collaboratory: August 18-31, 2008) illuminates the current scenario. It seems to peg the scope of the collaboratory that we've been envisioning as public-sector, post-secondary, professional development in BC.
There undoubtedly is deeper background than meets the eye in this forum. Nevertheless, the current project may well strive to avoid or reduce organizational and collaborative complexity in efforts to develop and operate a unified website. Nancy's inaugural post does hold hope for broadly embracing new paradigms.
Thanks again, to all, for cooperatively engaging in sussing them out.
In retrospect, I believe that "all levels" in the original definition that Nancy posted may have been referring to K-12 units (and beyond), and their constituent institutional hierarchies, within the State of Wisconsin. In comparison, Paul Stacey's introductory post in this forum (Developing a Professional Development Collaboratory: August 18-31, 2008) illuminates the current scenario. It seems to peg the scope of the collaboratory that we've been envisioning as public-sector, post-secondary, professional development in BC.
There undoubtedly is deeper background than meets the eye in this forum. Nevertheless, the current project may well strive to avoid or reduce organizational and collaborative complexity in efforts to develop and operate a unified website. Nancy's inaugural post does hold hope for broadly embracing new paradigms.
Thanks again, to all, for cooperatively engaging in sussing them out.