How can a Middle School library-media specialist make professional development meaningful when introducing a new online survey tool?

Making professional development meaningful involves engaging participants in practical, hands-on experiences that enhance their skills and confidence. By providing opportunities for teachers to practice creating a survey, the library-media specialist ensures that the educators not only learn about the functionality of the new online survey tool but also apply their understanding through direct use. This experiential learning fosters retention of the information and encourages teachers to explore the tool further, as they will have immediate, relevant context for its application in their curriculum.

Active participation in crafting surveys also allows educators to experiment with different features of the tool, engage in collaborative dialogue with peers, and receive real-time feedback, which deepens their understanding and promotes a sense of ownership over the new resource. In contrast, methods such as lectures or offering handouts do not provide the same level of engagement and may limit teachers' ability to fully grasp how to use the tool effectively in their work. Similarly, suggesting online tutorials without in-class practice lacks the interpersonal support and immediate application that can make learning more impactful.