National Staff Development Council and E-Learning

The National Staff Development Council's (NSDC) goal is to ensure that all professional development meets high quality standards. Rapid advances in technology are dramatically influencing how students and adults learn, communicate, and live. However, most professional development in schools continues to occur in face-to-face settings. As the demand for high quality professional development increases, new methods are emerging to meet various adult learning needs. NSDC urges districts and schools to consider the potential benefits of e-learning in this changing environment as they are challenged to meet the needs of adult learners through high quality professional development.

Research is clear that when teachers have access to high quality, results driven, and content specific professional development student achievement increases (National Commission on Teaching and America's Future, 1996). There is clear evidence that investment in professional development produces greater improvements in student achievement than class size reduction, increasing salaries, or hiring more experienced teachers (National Commission on Teaching and America's Future, 1996). High quality professional development is one way that schools and districts can leverage improvements in instructional practices and student achievement.

NSDC professional development standards have incorporated decades of research regarding professional development. These standards (context, process and content) serve as benchmarks for high quality professional development. Context standards emphasize teacher learning that goes beyond knowledge to application in the classroom setting. Process standards describe best practices in delivery options, follow up, learning strategies, and group development. Content standards support best practice in meeting the needs of all learners. These standards provide a guide for professional development that improves the learning of all students and organizes adults into learning communities toward the goal of instructional improvement.

"Technology brings the world of learning to educators rather than requiring educators to go to the learning." It offers flexible settings, varied types of media to present information and expands access to information, people and ideas. Learning can become more personalized in school settings through the establishment of virtual learning communities.

Integrating e-learning experiences as part of a comprehensive staff development plan will enable schools and districts to diversify the experiences for their adult learners. In this way, adults can have access to both face-to-face, one-on-one support, "just in time" professional development and collaborative work that can deeply influence teaching and learning.

National Staff Development Council [NSDC] (2001). E-learning for educators: Implementing the standards for professional development.