National School Reform Faculty

Reflective Practice Speaker/Video
Date: April 28-29, 2003
Listserv: Coaches

Monday, April 28, 2003 6:35 PM
Dear All,

Does anyone have suggestions for speaker(s) and/or video(s) to use as part of the August 26, 2003 training in my district for K-12 teachers and administrators?

We beginning to explore the use of reflective practice to raise the achievement of all students. The venue is four large groups (500 teachers each at four different locations) for 1 hour and then breakout/groups for the rest of the day. I want to thank all participants in my home group at the Winter 2003 Meeting in California who helped me with the planning of this!

Thank you for your expertise and time.
Sincerely,
Laura, WA

Tuesday, April 29, 2003 5:43 AM
Laura,

You might consider the seven-minute video, "Building Professional Learning Communities: Passion and Persistence" by Rick DuFour. I have used it with both large and small groups and found it to be very effective in communicating the essential elements of learning community and the implications they have for both teachers and administrators.

It is very inexpensive (less than $30) and available at: http://www.nesonline.com/CatalogItemDetail.asp?Product=240.

We have found that it lends itself well for discussion using the Text Rendering Protocol.
Best,
Pete, FL

Tuesday, April 29, 2003 7:06 AM
I agree with Pete about the DuFour video. It is short - only 7 minutes and is all text with music (no talking heads). In a very compact way, it says much of what we believe is important about the work we are doing. In an hour - especially in the size group you're talking about - you could easily do a "Final Word" in triads at the tables, and then a text rendering by table, with maybe each table then sharing the phrase and word that most strikes them about the concept of becoming a reflective practitioner in a learning community.
Linda, FL