Missouri Collaborative Work Spring 2014 | Page 5

MO SPDG Supports Collaborative Work Throughout the five years of the grant, the Missouri SPDG will develop training tools, structures, and processes that will ensure high quality professional development statewide. We understand that conventional forms of professional development (i.e., one-shot workshops and conferences) do not provide the support needed to modify teaching practices. 1 Effective professional development needs to be authentic and ongoing.2 Furthermore, professional development should address adult learning methods to ensure effectiveness through levels of instruction (i.e., introduce, illustrate, practice, SPDG Learning Packages Statewide collaborative teams developed “Learning Packages.” A ‘learning package’ is a focused approach to professional development content that:  a d dr e s se s a d u l t principles and le a rn i n g  upholds specific characteristics of high quality professional development, and focuses on implementation at the classroom level. evaluate, reflect, and master). Learning Pac