Micro-Grants for Transformative Professional Development

What would the future of learning look like if we transformed the traditional stand and deliver, required hours, professional development (PD) model into something more flexible, engaging and effective? Something that mirrors the learning experiences we’re all working hard to make possible for learners. Unfortunately, many teachers haven’t experienced transformative learning and are not given the chance to learn how to facilitate learning in these types of environments.

This Fall, a free open PD library was launched called Learn Next (see our feature). The hub “hosts powerful learning experiences for educators seeking to gain the skills needed to ensure every one of their students has access to transformative learning.”

Now, Learn Next and their partners (see below) are kicking it up a notch and have released a micro-grant opportunity built especially for districts and organizations who are ready to reimagine and reinvigorate professional development. Grant winners will help build a future where professional development becomes more flexible, more engaging and more effective.

In order to transform learning for every student, we must move from a PD model that is largely “passive, inefficient, isolated, and stagnant, to adult learning that is personalized, competency-based, modular, motivating and relevant, respectful, collaborative and sustainable.” It’s time for PD to “walk the walk” of next-gen learning.

How to Apply.

Applicants should email their intent to submit, before completing their written proposal. Submissions must include a brief but detailed plan of how they’ll use the Learn Next free and open resources to design and pilot an innovative professional learning model and a line item budget.

To address some common questions that have come up from applicants, Learn Next will be hosting two, hour-long webinars this week:

• Tuesday, December 4th at 3:00 pm ET/ 12:00 pm PT – click here to register.
• Thursday, December 6th at 2:00 pm ET/11: 00 am PT – click here to register.

Anyone can transform their practices, are you ready to take the plunge? With Learn Next’s resources, a great plan and a micro-grant we believe it’s possible. Grant applications are due by December 17th; you can learn more here.

Stay tuned for storytelling about and from the grantees later this spring!

For more, see:

• Learn Next: A Toolbox for Educators to Transform Practice
• The Future of Professional Learning: Five Design Principles that Transform
• Professional Learning Through the Plan, Observe, Debrief (POD) Model

Stay in-the-know with all things EdTech and innovations in learning by signing up to receive the weekly Smart Update.