Professional Development FAQ

1. Is Professional Development essential for teachers who are new to the IAT curricula?

Professional Development is paramount to a successful implementation of the It’s About Time curricula in your classroom. Because many teachers are unfamiliar with the concept of inquiry-based teaching, learning about the pedagogy and content behind our programs is imperative. This knowledge helps teachers understand the structure of our programs. Our trained leaders guide teachers through the activities as if they themselves are the students. This process enables teachers to assess their students’ prior knowledge on a subject and then lead the activities in the classroom. The discussions in a Professional Development workshop help teachers anticipate the amount of reflection time that will be needed in their classrooms. Teachers also benefit by sharing their implementation experiences with one another. We believe that our Professional Development workshops ultimately ensure a smoother learning experience for both teachers and students.

2. What is the value of IAT’s Professional Development?

Most teachers who have received Professional Development from It’s About Time have expressed a greater comfort level with their understanding of both inquiry-based teaching and the pedagogy of our curriculum. Even after they become familiar with our structure and methodology, teachers continue to benefit from the ongoing discussions that occur in our workshops. These discussions enable teachers to exchange their ideas and experiences with one another, while also sharing any challenges they might face with a Professional Development Expert. Participants appreciate the opportunity to learn about the curriculum and the related science content from our experienced instructors. In the process, teachers gain true perspective on how to successfully implement the program in their schools. Professional Development workshops help guarantee that the classroom experience will be as smooth as possible for everyone involved.

3. How can It’s About Time’s Professional Development empower teachers?

Teachers who are unfamiliar with inquiry-based learning may initially be skeptical about its merits. By walking through the text and experiencing the curricula as a student would, our Professional Development workshops enable teachers to become more comfortable with the learning process right from the start. Teachers gain true insight into inquiry-based learning from the perspective of both a learner and an instructor. In addition, workshops provide teachers with access to a network of educational professionals experiencing the same process in their classrooms. This support system is helpful throughout the school year. Teachers from across the country have reported that our Professional Development workshops provided them with the strategies and mindset needed to ensure future success.

4. Would it be hard to implement the IAT curricula without first receiving Professional Development?

We have found that it is extremely difficult for teachers to successfully implement the IAT curriculum without first experiencing inquiry-based teaching in a Professional Development workshop. Without a proper introduction to the methods involved, most teachers will revert to a more traditional teaching style. If inquiry is taught using traditional teaching methods, the IAT curriculum will not be implemented in the way that it is most beneficial to students. An untrained teacher might use the IAT book only as a resource, repurposing bits and pieces of the content to fit his or her needs, without truly understanding the big picture. Students will have difficulty performing the hands-on activities that mark the foundation of inquiry-based learning. Instead, they will simply memorize facts for tests without truly understanding the science behind the content. Without the proper guidance and training from someone who is experienced with the curriculum, it is unlikely that a teacher will witness the benefits that accompany our programs.

5. What kinds of problems might a teacher experience if he or she tried to implement the IAT curricula without Professional Development?

Without proper guidance in the curriculum, it is hard to understand the “what, why, and how” of inquiry-based learning. Teachers cannot understand how to effectively teach this curriculum by simply perusing our books. IAT’s Professional Development offers teachers an in-depth insight into our pedagogy. It also helps teachers anticipate classroom and materials management issues before they arise. To effectively teach inquiry, a teacher must first change his or her role in the classroom. Instead of lecturing students from the front of the room, the instructor must facilitate a whole-class discussion that guides students through their own learning processes. Professional Development helps teachers understand exactly how inquiry leads students to higher-level thinking. It ensures that teachers have the knowledge they need to properly assess their students. Teachers who opt not to take our Professional Development run the risk of “morphing” the program into a more traditional science class that does not support inquiry. They may become frustrated if they are looking for the standard textbook and worksheets that accompany traditional teaching methods—that’s not what IAT’s inquiry-based curricula is about.

6. What kind of teacher might be able to implement the IAT curricula without PD?

Teachers who are familiar with the current cognitive research surrounding inquiry-based teaching might have a head start in understanding our curricula. An experienced teacher who is creative, flexible, and knows a great deal about the content involved might successfully implement the curriculum on his or her own. He or she should be open to change and learning new things along with their students. Increased knowledge for both the students and the teacher is a natural progression as long as all are willing to learn. A non-traditional teacher who genuinely wants their students to learn from inquiry could possibly make the adaptation to inquiry and IAT on their own. However, we still believe that even a teacher of this caliber would appreciate the opportunity to learn the nuances of the curriculum and share their experiences with others at a Professional Development workshop.

7. How is PD valuable for teachers who come to inquiry with one or more of the following challenges: Non-science teachers (i.e. special ed teachers), science teachers from other content areas (such as biology), teachers who are resistant to change, and new teachers?

Professional Development can be priceless for any of the teachers listed above, especially when learning this new curriculum. Our workshops enable teachers to experience the unit as a student would, while also increasing their content knowledge and building their repertoire of skills. Workshop participants also have the opportunity to network with other teachers. New teachers especially seem to appreciate the opportunity to learn from other teachers and educational professionals. Those who are uncomfortable with change may resist learning an inquiry-based curriculum. However, these individuals are often won over by the enthusiasm and success stories that are cited by other teachers during the course of a workshop. The mention of improved test scores and quality student work serves as added proof for anyone who may be hesitant to switch to an inquiry-based curriculum. Our Professional Development workshops provide the opportunity for an entire learning community to discuss modifications, accommodations, and general teaching strategies that benefit teachers and students alike.

8. How is IAT’s Professional Development especially valuable for schools who face challenging settings or situations, such as urban schools or schools with poorly motivated students?

The urban science classroom becomes both engaging and exciting with an inquiry-based curriculum from It’s About Time. A Professional Development workshop often convinces teachers exactly why inquiry is a better way to teach kids science. Students who are challenged by science respond better to actively “doing it” rather than simply being told about the subject through a lecture. By experiencing the activities as a learner at a workshop, teachers become more confident in their understanding of their curriculum and their ability to teach it. They realize that, with the correct materials and support from their fellow teachers, the IAT curricula is both manageable and fun. They are convinced that the teaching of inquiry-science enables kids to become lifelong learners. In addition, our Professional Development workshops give teachers the opportunity to talk to and learn from other teachers who are facing similar challenges. Teachers can return to their schools and implement the IAT curricula with a more relaxed state of mind, which is beneficial to the students they are teaching.

9. How much PD is necessary to implement a full year science program?

The length of time suggested for each Professional Development session varies, depending on the curriculum being taught and the experience level of the teachers. Generally, we recommend at least one full day to give teachers who are new to an inquiry-based curriculum a basic understanding of the structure and best practices involved in teaching it. We recommend an additional 1-2 days to explore the content and activities that are specific to each unit of the chosen curriculum. Recommendations might vary depending on the needs and goals of a school. Most schools request that their teachers have the opportunity to go through the majority of activities for the unit, while others might prefer a high-level refresher course. The most important thing is to ensure that teachers are both familiar and comfortable with inquiry-based teaching by the end of our workshops. Time should be spent modeling inquiry teaching and discussions, dealing with classroom and materials management, working with literacy strategies, and the IAT pedagogy before addressing the specific content of any single unit.