Ok, most of the plans. Still the same old excuses with some people.
A couple more observations:
Some teachers don't distinguish between personal development and professional development. For example one teacher wants to improve her understanding of a language; another wants to do a Bible College course, a third wants to learn how to use the Interactive Whiteboard - all worthy end points but something that could be done even if you were not a teacher.
The key is to work out how students will benefit from these end points. It is then a matter of rethinking your focus.
Let me take the IWB example. Such a teacher needs to look at their classes and ask: "What do I do well" and "what is not going so well". (Even better - ask students or get a colleague in). Then, "How could an IWB help strengthen the good aspects and deal with the issues". Student responses (at least) could be measured before and after and then the teacher could reflect on the success of their IWB activity. Here the focus moves from the teacher to the student - where it should be.
The teacher still learns how to use the IWB but it is a means to an end - improved student outcomes. The other two examples are going to be harder but it still could be done.
This is where we are headed but it is taking some teachers a little time to understand this.
Now I have to go and talk to them about it...
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