Effective practices for CPD - Helping teachers to use research evidence to support their learning

We have been commissioned by the TDA to work on a project designed to support effective CPD practices in schools. We are supporting groups of teachers and teaching assistants in two schools – one secondary and one primary – in using research evidence as a stimulus for professional learning. We have explored the findings from a number of research studies with the teachers, using digests we have produced for The Research Informed Practice Site (TRIPS). The teachers are now carrying out their own classroom enquiries and reflecting on their practice together, using tools and activities we developed from the research findings. Later, we will help them to write about their investigations – reporting on their aims and approach, the evidence they collected and the impact on their own and their pupils’ learning. We will produce a report that details the ‘reflective activities’ and case studies, and draws out the key messages about using research for professional learning for the benefit of other schools and CPD leaders.