Matthew J. Ramsey

Fall 2009

ED 515

ProsCan be highly

topicalOne-shot exposure

to ideasKeeps teachers

informedSparking interest

ConsOften top downDo little for

curriculum/instructional improvement

TrivialCan’t be customized

to teachers needs

ProsPrevents

professional isolation

Shared solutionsGreat brain

storming sessions

ConsAbused—gab

sessionsTeachers may not

feel comfortable sharing their “problems”

Teachers may not share ‘controversial ideas’

ProsSee new ideas,

verses hearing second hard

NetworkingParticipating in the

new environmentSee other types of

teaching venues…laboratories, corporate training…

ConsNot enough time to

benefitVisited schools may

put on the dog and pony show

Teachers may not be the tour guide

ProsBasis in research

and theoryAbility to earn

advanced credentials

Practical applications

ConsFocus no research

to practice, instead of practice to research

Devalue the role of the teachers

ProsExperts train

teachers in new initiative

ConsistencyCohesiveness

ConsRemoves teachers

from creative process

Generic programming does not take specific circumstances into consideration

ProsHelps define the

role of the teacherImproves

communication in a supervision loop

ConsCompetencies don’t

necessarily lead to accountability for achievement

ProsConsultant qualityContinuous

engagementLocal solutionsPublishable results

ConsTeachers fear being

observedDog and pony showWidespread

affordabilityLiberal/radical

consultants Equity issues

ProsLocalized solutionsPractice to researchPatterning—

relevance

ConsQuestions ability

creativity of teachers

ProsTeachers know what

they needOne size does not fit

all

ConsTeachers do this

already and shouldn’t be made to sign a contract