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At the beginning of her breakout session (from the August 12, 2009, Professional Learning Communities at Work™ Institute in Lincolnshire, Illinois), Cassandra Erkens says, “Fish can’t see water. They swim in it every day, and they can’t see it. We are swimming in homework water, and I’m going to ask us to step back and see it.” Erkens is a high-energy, engaging presenter who uses humour, stories from her teaching experience, and lots of discussion to breathe life into the purpose and meaning of homework. She emphasises the importance of allowing students to make mistakes (and learn from them) as they practise their skills.

Teacher quality is the most significant variable in school improvement, and of all the things teachers can do to improve the quality of their teaching, formative assessment has been shown to provide the greatest impact. In Content, Then Process: Teacher Learning Communities in the Service of Formative Assessment (from the 2009 Annual Conference on Standards and Assessment in Las Vegas, Nevada), Dr Wiliam outlines a model to shift towards more formative assessment–based teaching practices by first addressing content (what needs to be changed) and then addressing the process to approach that change.

One of the greatest challenges facing schools today is the push to raise the expertise of teachers. But if teachers are going to become experts, they need proven strategies and the training to make them work – plain and simple. In The Strategic Teacher, renowned education consultant Harvey Silver illustrates practical ways to make this happen in your school. Join Harvey as he showcases educators from across the United States who have used these strategies to transform their classrooms and schools into places full of a passion and joy for learning.

This program demonstrates how teachers use a six-step process recommended by Robert Marzano in his book Building Background Knowledge for Academic Achievement: Research on What Works in Schools to teach academic vocabulary in the primary or secondary years. It also compliments the Building Academic Vocabulary Teacher’s Manual. The DVD menu is split into primary and secondary titles, with each of the six steps able to be navigated individually or as a whole process.

High quality professional development leading to increased student achievement is the subject of this engaging documentary style video. Two schools Montview Elemntary School in Aurora, Colarado and Woodrow Wilson in Manhattan, Kansas - demonstrate the power of a school team working together with a common focus. Two districts - Olathe District Schools and Lawrence Public Schools, both in Kansas - show how to encourage and support and environment for teacher and administrator learning. All four winners exemplify the Departments 10 priniciples of high qaulity professional development.

This set provides schools and districts with an economical resource for learning teams engaged in professional development of assessment for learning. The set includes the complete package of seven interactive training videos or DVDs with User's Guides.

Join Carol Ann Tomlinson and classroom teachers as they bring Differentiated Instruction to life in this practical, easily implemented Professional Development Program for the Middle School level. Carol Ann Tomlinson guides viewers as they observe classroom examples of the non-negotiables of Differentiated Instruction. Use the integrated professional development plan, including accompanying PowerPoint presentation and handouts, to empower educators as they lead for student success.

The framework of action steps from ASCD's breakthrough guide The Art and Science of Teaching comes to life in this series of DVDs, so educators can see exactly how to implement this comprehensive approach and promote high levels of student achievement. Robert J. Marzano explains the scientific basis for effective teaching, the three main teacher-level factors that influence student achievement, and the relationship between teaching as an art and as a science. An embedded professional development plan with a PowerPoint presentation and teacher handouts is included.

Author Robert J. Marzano presents a model for ensuring quality teaching that balances the necessity of research-based data with the equally vital need to understand the strengths and weaknesses of individual students. He articulates his framework in the form of 10 questions that represent a logical planning sequence for successful instructional design. Filled with charts, rubrics and organisers, this methodical, user-friendly guide will help teachers examine and develop their knowledge and skills, so they can achieve that dynamic fusion of art and science that results in exceptional teaching and outstanding student achievement. This set includes 2 DVD and the Book.

Join Carol Ann Tomlinson and classroom teachers as they bring Differentiated Instruction (DI) to life in this practical, easily implemented PD Program for Primary, Middle and High School. Multiple vignettes depict how to establish and maintain a supportive learning environment; how to use on-going assessment to inform instruction; and how to support a high-quality curriculum by identifying learning goals. Tomlinson guides viewers as they observe classroom examples of the non-negotiables of DI. Use the integrated PD plan, including accompanying PowerPoint presentation and handouts, to empower educators as they lead for student success.

This set is a must for every school or PLC that takes its work seriously. This short video shows exactly what collaborative teams in professional learning communities do, and unscripted footage of real meetings, interspersed with key points from PLC print resources, brings the concept of collaboration to life. Designed to reinforce the content on teams in Learning by Doing, this multimedia resource covers essential steps to building a culture of collaboration. 

Set includes DVD, Facilitator's Guide and CD-ROM. The educators in this video share experience-based insight into the principal's responsibility to create the conditions that allow staff to continually build their capacity to ensure learning for all. They demonstrate the importance of dispersed leadership and mutual accountability between leaders and staff, and they address the necessity to provide clarity and coherence for staff by aligning the structure and culture of the school with its core purpose.