Literature Review

Domain 6 Artifact: Literature Review

Damon Garner
National University

In partial fulfillment for

TED 690 Capstone Course
Dr. Pengilly

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Literature Review

Abstract
This article review covers the importance of professional development. The author of the paper
looks at the struggles of professional development and offers solutions for the classroom teacher.
Candidates for a Teaching Credential evaluate their own teaching practices and subject matter
knowledge in light of information about the state-adopted academic content standards for
students and student learning. (California Teachers Association)

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Literature Review

Working in public education for thirteen years has afforded me the opportunity to partake

in very well designed thought out and delivered professional development programs.

Unfortunately, I have also seen some not so good professional development programs. As

professional educators it is our responsibility to seek out and grow as teachers. It is imperative

that we understand and reach all of our students in the diverse classroom. In this particular article

Judith Warren Little argues that (2006) programs were also more effective when they afforded

teachers the opportunity to become actively engaged and were coherently linked to prior

knowledge and other activities. (p. 5)

Judith makes the argument that it is oftentimes professional development that is not

relative or important to the particular teacher in certain single subject matter areas. It does not do

much good for History teachers to sit through professional development on better ways to teach

the quadratic formula. Rather professional development must be aimed at developing skills for

all teachers or aimed at focusing on content area relative and important to the teacher. Judith

Little says (2006) This pedagogical content knowledge is most effectively developed through

professional development that combines a number of key features. Effective professional

development is content-focused, active, collective, coherent, and sustained. (p. 7)

One of a teachers greatest assets can be that of his colleagues. Depending on the schools

culture and sense of collaboration, will hinge the successful nature of the learning community at

that particular school. Ive worked at three different schools in my career. My current school has

a tremendous learning community. We discuss teaching strategies and different ways to reach all

of our students. The history department will often informally meet at lunch where we have great

discussions on content and instructional best practices. This non stressful and cordial community

of educators will accomplish more at lunch than we will in some full day professional

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Literature Review

development meetings. Judith Little also picks up on this distinction. She states teachers in

teacher learning communities also share certain core views and commitments but take a more

dynamic and flexible stance toward subject teaching and routinely question and challenge

teaching routines when they prove ineffective with students. (p. 16)

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Reference
Little, Judith Warren. (2006). Professional Community and Professional Development in the
Learning-Centered School. Retrieved from: http://www.nea.org/assets/docs/HE/mf_pdreport.pdf