7 Ways Professional Development Benefits Educator Growth and Student Success

[EllieC]

Professional development for the sake of personal career growth alone is important and powerful. But when it comes to professional development for educators, the benefits extend far beyond the individual. Professional development plays a vital role in improving student success. Especially in higher education settings, educators' pedagogical knowledge and practices directly impact students' ability to navigate their educational journey and prepare for career challenges. Here are some key benefits of professional development for educators, which were also foundational to the establishment of the Institute at Macmillan Learning.

Impact on Instructional Strategies

Professional development serves as a cornerstone for introducing educators to new instructional strategies and facilitating the integration of best practices and evidence-based strategies into our classrooms. By refining instructional techniques, we cultivate more engaging and effective learning environments, helping to ensure our students are well-prepared to succeed academically.

Keeping Up with Trends 

With the educational landscape in constant flux—driven by technological innovation and changing societal needs—it's imperative for educators to stay in the know. Even if you don’t plan to make changes to your course or teaching, it helps to know what students may be doing differently when it comes to their study behaviors, other courses, or personal lives.

Improved Student Outcomes 

Investing in our learning and growth as educators is synonymous with investing in our students. Research-backed pedagogical practices translate to improved learning environments, which can, in turn, boost student engagement, understanding, and application of knowledge—hallmarks of student success.

Better Support of Student Diversity 

Our classrooms are vibrant mosaics of diverse thoughts, cultures, and learning styles. Carefully selected, intentionally designed professional development can arm educators with the necessary tools to embrace and nurture this diversity, fostering a classroom atmosphere where every student feels valued and supported in their educational journey.

Personal Growth and Renewal 

The enthusiasm and passion for teaching we share can bring meaning to our lives. Engaging in professional development experiences that bring educators from different walks of life together can not only reignite this passion but also nurture personal growth. Think about the last time you had a great conversation or exchanged ideas about teaching with another instructor, chances are it was invigorating. 

Career Advancement 

Professional development often opens doors to career advancement, offering educators opportunities to enhance their expertise, take on leadership roles, or gain recognition within the academic community and beyond. Such progression creates avenues for educators to impact student success on a broader scale. For example, facilitating workshops and training sessions for your department to share your newfound knowledge and skills can, in turn, support more students.

Building Community and Professional Networks

The relationships forged through professional development activities extend beyond individual learning, enriching the entire educational ecosystem. These networks become invaluable assets for exchanging ideas, tackling common challenges, and building partnerships that elevate the quality of education for all students.

About “Teaching with Generative AI: A Course for Educators”

The Institute at Macmillan Learning was recently launched to provide instructors with a unique professional development opportunity and equip educators with practical knowledge to embolden them to tackle modern teaching challenges with confidence.

In the inaugural course, "Teaching With Generative AI: A Course for Educators," educators will refine their teaching methods, stay on top of cutting-edge technology, expand their professional network, explore ways to leverage artificial intelligence, and more. The course features a mix of asynchronous and synchronous learning, providing hands-on experience in developing course policies around AI, creating assignments with AI in mind, and navigating discussions with students about AI use.

Upon course completion, participants will attain a digital certification to share with their institutions and peers via platforms like LinkedIn.

Learn more about the course

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