Jade Pearce, Trust Head of Education at Affinity Learning Partnership and a team learning expert, joins to share her insights on effective educational strategies. She discusses the importance of fostering a culture of continuous professional development (CPD) within teams and provides a five-step framework for its implementation. Jade also highlights how shared learning experiences can enhance collaboration and trust among educators, as well as the significance of evidence-informed practices in improving team dynamics.
Successful teams foster a culture of continuous learning, emphasizing both task completion and the developmental growth of their members.
High-quality continuing professional development (CPD) is crucial for enhancing teacher performance and positively impacting student outcomes.
Creating a foundation of trust and psychological safety within teams encourages open discussions about growth and promotes meaningful collaboration.
Deep dives
The Importance of Team Learning Culture
Successful teams prioritize not only task completion but also the developmental growth of their members. This involves fostering a culture of continuous learning, wherein team members collaboratively enhance their practices and expertise. Implementing regular evaluation and review processes can significantly contribute to this culture, enabling teams to manage conflicts effectively while strengthening their collective accountability. As a result, teams that embrace this developmental mindset cultivate an environment that encourages mutual support in thinking and problem-solving.
Effective Professional Development in Schools
High-quality continuing professional development (CPD) is critical for improving teacher performance and, subsequently, student outcomes. Research indicates that effective CPD can be as impactful as the experience difference between a graduate teacher and a more seasoned educator. CPD initiatives must align with strategic goals and be designed with the needs of educators in mind, particularly considering their workload and available resources. Schools that adopt a more deliberate and supportive CPD approach typically see increased morale and retention among staff.
Constructing a Framework for Team Learning
Implementing a structured approach to team learning involves several key steps that ensure alignment with the overarching goals of the school. The first step is to establish a clear team learning priority that contextualizes the learning objectives for each group. Next, teams must identify specific learning priorities and create a plan for addressing them through various collaborative strategies, such as meetings that focus on active engagement and not just administrative tasks. Sustaining team learning requires ongoing dedication to reviewing progress and adjusting priorities, thus allowing teams to maintain momentum in their professional development.
Building Trust and Psychological Safety
To cultivate an effective learning environment, creating a foundation of trust and psychological safety within teams is essential. Team leaders must model vulnerability by openly discussing their growth areas, thereby encouraging others to engage in discussions about improvement without fear of judgment. Meetings should prioritize learning over administrative updates, allowing for deeper collaboration and dialogue among team members. Establishing ground rules that promote uplifting feedback and constructive dialogue can further enhance the psychological safety necessary for meaningful team development.
Navigating Limited Meeting Opportunities
For teams that meet infrequently or have less established dynamics, leveraging technology and intentional meeting structures can facilitate effective learning. Even with limited face-to-face interactions, online meetings can ensure staff engage with each other on relevant topics without added time constraints. Setting clear expectations and providing resources in advance, such as discussion questions, helps team members feel prepared and contributes to productive conversations. Ultimately, emphasizing the significance of learning activities in every meeting strengthens the team's ability to enhance their collaborative efforts.
Sam reads from his favourite chapter of The Power of Teams: Team Learning!
The chapter includes research about CPD in schools and teams, tangible strategies to help with team learning, and an incredible case study from Jade Pearce.
Jade then joins Sam for an illuminating interview that helps with some FAQs about team learning.
