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The organization Learning Forward recommends the following possibilities for professional learning activities as alternatives to workshops, with additions by the Hopkinton Professional Learning Committee in brackets:
1. Conduct action research projects
2. Analyze teaching cases
3. Be observed and receive feedback
4. Join a cadre of in-house trainers
5. Plan [units and] lessons with a teaching colleague
6. Consult an expert [in person or online]
7. Examine [your] student data
8. [Carry out data inquiry in professional learning communities, discover root causes, and recommend solutions.]
9. Be coached by a peer or expert
10. Lead [or participate in] a book study
11. Visit another school [or program]
12. Write assessments [of student learning] with colleagues
13. Participate in video-conference or conference call with experts
14. Do a classroom walk-through
15. Give presentations at conferences
16. Research on the Internet
17. Lead a school-wide [or district-wide] committee or project
18. Participate in a lesson study
19. Map your curriculum [with colleagues]
20. Coach a colleague
21. Be a mentor – be mentored
22. Join a professional network [in person or online]
23. Use a tuning protocol to examine student work
24. Maintain a professional portfolio
25. Write an article about your work
26. Observe other teachers teaching
27. Read journals, educational magazines, books, [and educational blogs in your field]
28. Participate in a critical friends group
29. Do a self-assessment
30. Shadow a student, a teacher, or another professional in the field
31. Keep a reflective log or journal
