: The Learning League: Supercharging PD with Instruction and Social Support By Sarah-Louise Johnston

A PD Breakthrough: The Strategy That Transformed Teaching

Emma, a seasoned science teacher, remembers a pivotal moment in her career. She had always been passionate about her subject, but despite her enthusiasm, her students struggled to grasp complex scientific concepts. One day, during a professional development (PD) session, she was introduced to a structured approach to explicit instruction combined with social support strategies. The transformation in her classroom was striking — her students became more engaged, their understanding deepened, and they developed greater independence in their learning.

Emma’s experience highlights the critical role of effective professional development in refining teaching techniques. The Education Endowment Foundation’s (EEF) Effective Professional Development Guidance Report emphasises that for PD to drive meaningful change, it must focus on developing teaching techniques. Specifically, Recommendation No. 2, Section C underscores the importance of instruction and social support — two key elements that enable teachers to embed new practices into their daily teaching.

Cracking the Code: What Makes PD Stick?

Effective PD must go beyond simply presenting information. It should provide structured instruction that breaks down complex techniques and supports teachers in implementing them through social reinforcement. Let’s explore these mechanisms in detail…

1. Instruction: The Building Blocks of Mastery

Instruction in PD must mirror the principles of high-quality classroom teaching: it should be clear, structured, and scaffolded. When teachers are introduced to new strategies, they need step-by-step guidance, exemplars, and opportunities for deliberate practice. Without structured instruction, teachers are left to interpret and implement strategies in isolation, often leading to inconsistent application and limited impact.

Key Strategies for Effective Instruction in PD:

• Show, Don’t Just Tell: Leaders of PD should demonstrate new techniques through live or recorded lessons, making their thought processes visible. For instance, showing how to use questioning strategies effectively in a classroom setting gives teachers a concrete reference point.
• Break It Down: Complex strategies should be deconstructed into manageable steps. If introducing ​‘cold calling’ to enhance classroom engagement, PD should outline when and how to use it effectively rather than just advocating for its use.
• Practice Makes Progress: Teachers need the opportunity to practice new skills in a low-stakes environment. PD should incorporate role-playing, micro-teaching sessions, or lesson rehearsals, coupled with immediate, constructive feedback.
• Connect to What They Know: New teaching techniques should build on existing practices, making connections explicit to help teachers integrate them seamlessly.

Emma experienced this firsthand when her PD session broke down the strategy of ​‘think-alouds’ into clear stages: modelling a thought process, guiding students through it, and then allowing independent practice. With these structured steps, she confidently applied the technique in her classroom, significantly improving student comprehension.

2. Social Support: Strength in Numbers

Professional learning is most effective when teachers feel supported by their peers. Social support helps sustain motivation, reinforces accountability, and allows for reflective practice. Without a network of encouragement and feedback, even well-intentioned PD initiatives can lose momentum.

Key Strategies for Building Social Support in PD:

• Stronger Together: Establishing teacher learning communities encourages ongoing dialogue and shared problem-solving. Regularly scheduled meetings where teachers discuss challenges and successes in implementing new techniques create a culture of sustained improvement.
• See It, Learn It, Do It: Teachers benefit from seeing their colleagues in action. Encouraging structured peer observations, followed by reflective discussions, helps embed new strategies in practice. Emma, for instance, found that observing a colleague’s use of scaffolding techniques gave her fresh insights she could apply to her own teaching.
• Guidance From the Experts: Less experienced teachers or those struggling with a particular technique benefit from mentorship. A subject or pedagogical expert can provide targeted guidance to help teachers refine their approach.
• Celebrate Wins, Big and Small: Acknowledging and celebrating progress — whether through informal praise, sharing success stories, or showcasing best practice — reinforces commitment and enthusiasm.

Turning Knowledge into Action: Practical Steps for PD Leaders

To ensure instruction and social support are central to PD, leaders must design programmes that are interactive, sustained, and embedded within everyday practice. Here are five key actions to take away:

1. Make Learning Active: Avoid passive, lecture-style PD. Instead, use modelling and guided practice to enhance learning.
2. Follow Through with Support: Plan beyond a single PD session. Incorporate mentoring, coaching, and peer observations to help teachers refine and sustain their practice.
3. Harness the Power of Collaboration: Foster a culture of continuous learning through structured teacher learning communities and professional networks.
4. Keep It Practical and Relevant: PD should be directly linked to classroom challenges. Encourage teachers to trial strategies and reflect on their effectiveness.
5. Adapt and Improve: Use feedback loops to refine PD sessions, ensuring they remain responsive to teacher needs and challenges.

Final Thought: Creating a Culture of Growth

Emma’s journey is not unique — it reflects the experiences of countless teachers who benefit from PD that prioritises structured instruction and social support. When leaders of PD focus on these elements, they create an environment where teachers feel equipped and empowered to improve their practice. Ultimately, this translates to better student outcomes, reinforcing the true purpose of professional development: fostering excellence in teaching for the benefit of all learners.