June 5, 2018   |   By Allison Powell, Ed.D.

Managing the Change Towards Competency-based Professional Development

Over the past two and a half years, BloomBoard has been working with hundreds of organizations (including districts, regional education service providers, and state departments of education) to help them transition to a competency-based model of professional development. While we work with each of these organizations to provide solutions to a wide variety of problems for educators across their organizations, using competency-based professional development in many creative ways, we have discovered four themes throughout all of these very different implementations, which we call the BloomBoard VIPS - Vision, Incentives, Phases, and Supports. When these principles are executed throughout the implementation, we have found that organizations are more likely to find that educators buy-into the idea of competency-based professional learning and follow through with building a portfolio of evidence to show their individual learning. The VIPS require focus, careful planning and organization, as well as clear and frequent communication across all levels of the organization, and will provide a roadmap which leads to a successful transition towards competency-based professional development.

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April 18, 2018   |   By Lucia Giacomantonio

Success Story: A Phased Approach to Implementing Micro-credentials


"If we are asking educators to provide differentiated and personalized learning experiences for students, it only makes sense that we help districts provide teachers with that same level of personalization in their professional learning.”

- Machel Mills,  Director of Professional Learning Systems,
Tennessee Department of Education

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May 17, 2017   |   By Lucia Giacomantonio

Earn Micro-credentials Throughout the Summer

Summer is just around the corner, and it's a great time for educators to develop new skills through micro-credentials. While many micro-credentials require educators to provide evidence of their learning through work with students, there are several other micro-credentials that can be earned without students in the classroom. We've put together a list of these micro-credentials that are perfect for earning throughout the summer. Some are even eligible for graduate-level credit! Choose the one that's right for you and get started by visiting bloomboard.com/digitalpromise.

Download the full list or check out some of the most popular micro-credentials below.  

Essential Spreadsheet Skills
Issued by: Relay Graduate School of Education

Quantitative data often come in forms that require work to make them meaningful to an educator. Spreadsheets (for instance, Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel) are a critical tool for working with quantitative data as a classroom educator. Learn more about earning this micro-credential and download the submission requirements and scoring guide.

Tip: Check out this collection of learning resources to help you along the way. 

Establishing a Virtual Community
Issued by: Center for Teaching Quality

To earn this micro-credential, an educator must guide a group through a process that builds relationships through engaging in common meaningful work, sharing stories, identifying individual team member strengths, and establishing the shared expectations of the community. Download the submission requirements and scoring guide to get started

Why Use Tech in the Classroom?
Issued by: Digital Promise Journey

Technology can have a strong impact on student learning. The use of digital devices has been shown to improve student achievement, engagement, and motivation. To learn how to prepare for and earn this micro-credential, download the submission requirements and scoring guide. (Note: This micro-credential is eligible for graduate-level credit!)

Developing Educator Digital Portfolios
Issued by: Jacobs Institute for Innovation in Learning at USD

To earn this micro-credential, an educator must document their growth, and reflect on how their role as an educator has changed over time, by examining their work. To learn more about earning this micro-credential, download the submission requirements and scoring guide. (Note: This micro-credential is eligible for graduate-level credit! )

Tip: Check out this collection of learning resources to help you along the way. 
 

See All Micro-credentials

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April 20, 2017   |   By Ray Huang

4 Components of District Implementation of Social and Emotional Learning

As interest grows in the benefits of social and emotional learning (SEL) for students and staff, a growing number of districts are adopting systemic strategies that embed SEL into every aspect of school life.

In a recent BloomBoard webinar, Kori Sanchez Smith, SEL Coordinator at Atlanta Public Schools, spoke about the four components of implementing SEL across the district:

  1. Explicit Instruction
  2. Integrating with Curriculum
  3. Integration with Instructional Pedagogy
  4. Beyond the Classroom

Watch Webinar »

By considering all four components of SEL implementation, leaders are able to:

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June 23, 2016   |   By Alicia Barnes

9 Resource Collections to Kick Off Your Summer Learning

School's out, and while lounging by the pool and catching up on Netflix is certainly on the agenda, summer is also a great time to pursue the professional learning that you don't have time for during the school year. Whether it's staying connected with a PLN, discovering new blogs or books, or joining discussions with your tribe on Twitter, there are so many options for staying engaged and inspired.

BloomBoard has a number of resource collections that are just right for your subject, grade level, and learning goals. You can brush up on hot topics in your field, gain inspiration by watching videos of other teachers, and save your favorite resources to try when you head back into the classroom this fall.

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