Is it relevant?
I seek professional development providing meaningful information to positively change my behavior. Why? I believe that as a professional educator I have an obligation to be the best than I can be as a teacher, a role model, and an overall person for the collective benefit of my students and my community. I seek knowledge that leads to growth opportunities that lead to learning.
Is it reputable?
The provider must have credentials that persons of character deem reliable. I look within our district learning community first because, usually, the peer-delivered programs are designed for district needs. I look next at learning communities within the professional realm, i.e., professional associations, state agencies, state colleges, etc. I shy away from the one-day wonders that promise life changing results in five easy steps for $99 held in the conference room of the local motel with easy-on, easy-off access and free grade book/calendar with purchase of a complete class makeover kit and CR ROM.
Is it results oriented?
Why bother if it delivers a message with no meat? I want information that I can put into action for positive change in my class, in my community, or in myself. I want good substantiated educational theory turned into good orderly direction for good life changing practice. I want to step into my room the next school day and ---wait for it--- use it effectively right now. I don’t want Drs. Julie & Jim Dandy from the U of Fiendex reading their PowerPoint presentations during a web conference about the harmful effects of mobile telephone waves on the average teenager’s ability to text.
So to avoid the dull and the dim-witted, I employ some good old common professional sense - the 3 R's.
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