edWeb Releases 2020 Teacher Professional Learning Survey Results

Most important in a PD program
 
edWeb.net has just released its 2020 Teacher Professional Learning Survey. For three years, edWeb has conducted an annual survey on professional learning and how edWeb meets educators’ needs. Each year the survey shows consistency in why teachers engage in professional learning, the features that are most important in a professional learning program, and the impact edWeb has on teaching and student learning. When teachers participate in professional learning, they frequently share their learning with colleagues and the school-wide community, multiplying the impact.
 
For three years, respondents have reported that webinars are the most helpful type of professional learning, with the highest response this year, with 50% saying webinars are the most helpful, followed by conferences and workshops (32%), teacher education courses (25%), online professional learning networks (25%), PD provided by their school/district (16%), and PD provided by vendors (13%). 
 
When asked why they engage in professional development programs, respondents replied: to improve their teaching (89%), to learn new ideas and practices (83%), and to improve learning for students (83%). The results reflect the dedication of educators to the larger goal of professional learning – to have an impact on student learning.
 
The features that respondents rate highest in a teacher professional development program are consistent year-over-year: the flexibility to participate on their own time (88%), that the program is free (80%), and receiving a certificate of completion (66%) are the top features, plus a new item added this year – that the content is current and relevant (91%). edWeb professional learning provides educators with these highly rated attributes.
 
edWeb teachers report that edWeb has had a high impact on: acquiring valuable information and resources (86%), increasing knowledge in their field (83%), making learning more engaging for students (78%), getting support not available in their school/district (75%), and helping to integrate technology in the classroom (55%).
 
Survey results show that edWeb members share their learning with their peers (48%) and with the school-wide community (27%). It’s not easy to quantify the impact of professional learning on student learning, but responses to the survey questions and the many comments that were received are evidence that the peer-to-peer learning is shared with colleagues and can have a school-wide impact.
 
Lisa Schmucki, the founder and CEO of edWeb.net, commented, “If we are providing a valuable service to our members, it is because we touch thousands of educators and receive continuous feedback each week. We keep making improvements based on the input we receive. We are humbled and honored by the dedication of teachers and all educators to improve their own practices, their students’ learning, and the school communities they work in. We are thankful to be able to help.”
 
The edWeb community has grown to 750,000 educators around the world. The survey was sent to 100,000 preK – 12 teachers in the U. S. and received 1,144 replies, a 1.04% response rate, with no incentive to reply.