The Fallacy of Best Practices

In an education world obsessed with standardization, the pursuit of "best practices" reigns supreme. Countless systems and schools rely on pre-defined, one-size-fits-all approaches, promising guaranteed success. However, this rigid adherence to a single ideal can stifle innovation and hinder progress. We must shift our focus to effectiveness – achieving desired results in a way that adapts to unique situations. 

The allure of best practices lies in their simplicity. They offer a seemingly foolproof formula, eliminating the need for critical thinking and tailored solutions. This, however, ignores the dynamic nature of learning. Industries evolve, technologies change, and societal needs are constantly in flux—context matters.  A practice deemed "best" today might be obsolete tomorrow, especially in a disruptive world. Chasing an elusive ideal can leave schools stagnant, resulting in students who cannot adapt to new circumstances. The reality is that there is no such thing as a “best” practice.  If there were, every system, district, school, and educator would implement them with high fidelity and get amazing results. 

Effectiveness, on the other hand, prioritizes results. It encourages experimentation, research-based pedagogy, and data-enhanced decision-making. Schools that embrace effectiveness analyze their specific context, identify goals, and then explore diverse approaches to achieve them. This fosters a culture of innovation, where solutions are not copy-pasted but thoughtfully crafted. 

Imagine a marketing campaign: a "best practice" approach might dictate a specific social media strategy. However, focusing on effectiveness would analyze the intended audience and platform trends, potentially leading to a more innovative, targeted approach. Like a marketer analyzing their audience and platform trends to tailor their approach, educators should assess their students' individual and collective needs, key concepts, and the most recent pedagogical research. This could lead to more innovative, personalized, and effective teaching strategies that deviate from traditional practices but result in better learning outcomes.

Best practices often lack nuance. They are developed based on broad trends in education or a world that no longer exists, failing to account for unique strengths and weaknesses at the school or individual level. Effectiveness, however, thrives on understanding specificities. It empowers schools to leverage their unique assets – their culture, staff skillset, or niche expertise – to achieve their goals in a way that optimizes their strengths. This approach encourages autonomy, knowing what actually works in a given context, and innovation, allowing for the adoption of cutting-edge strategies that resonate with the current generation of students. It also fosters a more dynamic environment where feedback and data from actual classroom experiences can shape ongoing approaches, keeping learning relevant and impactful.

The shift towards effectiveness is a testament to the power of educators and schools. It requires a change in mindset, a move away from blind adherence to methodologies that some figureheads and organizations claim are the only way to get results, and instead, a move towards continuous learning and adaptation. Schools need to invest in ongoing support, evidence collection, and analysis, allowing them to track the success of their chosen strategies. They must cultivate a culture of open communication where educators feel empowered to challenge assumptions and propose alternative methods. 

Embracing effectiveness isn't about discarding all existing knowledge. Established practices can serve as valuable starting points. The key lies in using them as a springboard, not a rigid blueprint. Schools gain the agility and creativity needed to navigate an ever-changing world by prioritizing effectiveness, not clinging to the fallacy of best practices. Achieving real results in a dynamic world trumps a theoretical ideal. 

The time has come to break free from the shackles of "best practices" and embrace the power of effectiveness driven by the true experts in education—the schools and educators who implemented these strategies consistently and with a high degree of fidelity. It is these people who move an idea into action and determine its effectiveness.  

11 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tools to Support Effective Teaching and Leadership

It goes without saying that AI is a hot topic of conversation in education circles and beyond. In the beginning, I was a skeptic myself, but now I use it to support my professional work, especially when I coach leaders. While there are legitimate concerns and anything generated by AI needs to be fully vetted, the most profound benefit is how it can save educators precious time.  Teachers can use it to help design lessons, build assessments, unpack standards, personalize, scaffold questions, develop hooks, provide relevant connections, and so many more possibilities.  Leaders can use certain AI tools to streamline communication, personalize feedback, provide targeted support to staff, find peer-reviewed research in a snap, and aid in other leadership tasks. 

Here are some of the most popular tools being used at this moment:

• Magic School - Get help with lesson planning, differentiation, writing assessments, and so much more. Click on the “magic tools” tab at the top of the page to see all of the options available to teachers.   
• School AI - Know what students need, when they need it and deliver it with AI support. The company behind this tool is extremely committed to data privacy. 
• QuestionWell - Generate an endless supply of questions so you can work smarter, not harder.
• Gradescope -Seamlessly administer and grade all of your assessments, whether online or in class. Save time grading and get a clear picture of how your students are doing.
• Parlay - Facilitate meaningful, measurable, and inclusive class discussions.
• Diffit - This is a great tool for differentiation. It allows teachers to get “just right” instructional materials, saving tons of time and helping all students access grade-level content. 
• Chat GBT – A chatbot that uses natural language processing to create humanlike conversational dialogue. It can respond to any prompt, such as unpacking a standard into scaffolded questions or differentiating aligned tasks. I recently used it when working with a fourth-grade teacher to create a song on long division as part of a review activity. Users who have the paid version can create elaborate images. 
• Gemini – A chatbot from Google that is very similar to Chat GBT. The free version allows for the creation of pictures that do not contain people. 
• Brisk Teaching – A Google Chrome extension that helps busy teachers save time in the tools they already use, like Google Classroom, Docs, Slides, YouTube, and online articles. In seconds, teachers can create unlimited instructional materials, give feedback, evaluate student writing, and level or translate texts - all without needing to switch between apps. 
• Ideogram – A free image creation tool. Create picture prompts for worksheets and writing tasks. During coaching sessions, I have helped elementary teachers create images for sight words.
• Copilot (free, but need a Microsoft login) – Very similar to Chat GBT and Gemini. 

Another tool that I have begun to explore is Leap. It can convert my blog posts to podcasts that sound very professional. When I listened to the first recording, I was amazed.  Stay tuned as I launch my podcast later this year. 

AI can be an invaluable timesaver for all educators. However, it is important to note that it cannot facilitate lessons and feedback conversations.  It is a tool to support effective practices, not drive or replace the work of educators. The real power behind AI is the people who use it strategically to work smarter, not harder. 

AI in the Classroom: A Teacher's Toolkit for Transformation

The landscape of education is constantly evolving, and artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a powerful tool for educators. While it won't replace the irreplaceable human touch in the classroom, AI can significantly enhance teaching and learning by offering personalization, efficiency, and insightful data analysis. Below are some ways educators can leverage AI to create a more dynamic and effective learning environment while also getting professional learning support from Five Star Technology Solutions.

Personalized Learning Pathways

Imagine a classroom where each student receives instruction tailored to their specific needs. AI-powered platforms can analyze student data, including test scores, past performance, and learning styles. This allows educators to curate individualized learning pathways, suggest resources, adapt difficulty levels, and provide targeted feedback. Students who grasp a concept quickly can move on to more challenging material, while those needing extra support can receive targeted practice and additional explanations. To learn more, take a look at this blog post I wrote on the topic. 

Grading and Feedback Systems

AI-driven grading systems can automate the process of assessing short answer questions, multiple-choice tests, and written assignments, freeing up valuable teacher time for more in-depth feedback and one-on-one interaction with students.

Data-Enhanced Instruction

AI can help educators analyze vast amounts of data related to student performance, class trends, and curriculum effectiveness. Educators can make data-enhanced decisions about instructional strategies, pedagogical approaches, resource allocation, and intervention plans by identifying patterns and pinpointing areas of difficulty. This allows for a more proactive approach to addressing student needs and ensuring all learners are on track for success.

Accessibility and Inclusivity

AI tools like text-to-speech and speech-to-text can create a more inclusive learning environment for students with disabilities. AI-powered captioning can make direct instruction and video content accessible to students who are deaf or hard of hearing, while language translation tools can support English language learners.

Engaging and Interactive Learning Experiences

AI can be used to create interactive learning activities and simulations that make the learning process more engaging and enjoyable for students. Gamification elements can motivate students and foster a sense of healthy competition. Additionally, AI-powered simulations can provide students with real-world experiences and allow them to practice critical thinking and problem-solving skills in a safe environment.

Professional learning support can help teachers maximize AI in the classroom and beyond. Five Star is offering some fabulous workshops on the topic. You can learn more about their programs HERE. 

While AI offers numerous benefits, it's crucial to remember that it is a tool to empower educators, not replace them. The human connection between teacher and student remains central to fostering creativity, critical thinking, and social-emotional development. The role of teachers will shift towards becoming facilitators, curators, and mentors who guide students through personalized learning journeys. By harnessing the power of AI, educators can create dynamic and effective classrooms that cater to each student's individual needs. This paves the way for a more engaging and enriching learning experience that empowers students to thrive.

Cultivating Lifelong Learners: How to Support Personalized Teacher Growth

Imagine a classroom buzzing with engaged students, actively constructing knowledge and diving deep into topics that spark their curiosity. This vibrant learning environment does not just happen by chance. It thrives under the guidance of a passionate, skilled educator who is constantly evolving alongside their students. However, like their students, teachers need personalized growth opportunities to stay engaged, motivated, and effective.

Teachers are the backbone of any thriving learning environment. Nevertheless, just like their students, educators thrive in personalized learning experiences. In a world of standardized tests and rigid curricula, fostering a culture of continuous, personalized growth for teachers allows them to stay abreast of current trends and effective strategies, maximize time, and become the best iteration of themselves for the learners they serve. 

Here is how educational leaders can champion personalized professional learning  for their teachers:

Needs Assessment: Start with the Individual

One-size-fits-all professional development (PD) is a recipe for disengagement. PD is typically done to teachers something other than what they actively want to be a part of or crave. A shift to personalized professional learning can change this dynamic. Effective leaders begin by understanding each teacher's unique needs and aspirations. Conduct individual needs assessments through surveys, goal-setting conversations, or classroom observations. This allows you to tailor professional learning opportunities that address specific skill gaps, teaching styles, and career goals (Guskey, 2000).

Embrace Choice and Variety

Move away from the traditional "sit-and-get" PD model. Offer teachers a diverse menu of learning opportunities. This could include workshops on specific instructional strategies, online courses on emerging educational technologies, or peer coaching programs that foster collaboration. Allow teachers to choose formats and topics that resonate with their individual learning preferences and goals (Desimone, 2009).

Leverage Technology for Flexibility

Technology can be a powerful tool for personalized learning. Online courses and learning modules allow educators to access content at their own pace and on their own schedules. Additionally, micro-learning opportunities through bite-sized videos, podcasts, or webinars that cater to busy schedules and allow for focused learning on specific topics should be considered (Moeller & Allen, 2017).

Empower Teacher Leadership

Teachers are a wealth of knowledge and experience. Empower them by creating opportunities for leadership within the professional development framework. Encourage them to lead workshops, share best practices with colleagues, or mentor other teachers in specific areas of expertise. This fosters a culture of collaboration, validates teachers' expertise, and fuels their intrinsic motivation to learn and grow.

Celebrate Growth and Achievement

Recognition is a powerful motivator. Regularly acknowledge and celebrate teachers' professional growth milestones. Highlight innovative practices implemented in the classroom or successful application of newly acquired skills. This public recognition reinforces the importance of continuous learning and inspires others to embark on their own personalized growth journeys.

Prioritize Reflection and Feedback

Growth does not happen in a vacuum. Create a safe space for teachers to reflect on their learning experiences. Host post-workshop discussions, provide feedback mechanisms, or encourage using professional learning communities (PLCs) where teachers can share successes, challenges, and best practices.

Invest in Teacher Wellbeing

Teacher stress and burnout are real challenges. Supporting personalized growth extends beyond professional development. Promote a healthy work-life balance by offering flexible schedules, stress management workshops, or on-site wellness programs. A well-rested and supported teacher is more receptive to learning and innovation.

By embracing these strategies, educational leaders can move away from a one-size-fits-all approach and create a continuous, personalized growth culture for their teachers. This fosters a more engaged, motivated, and ultimately, more effective teaching staff – a win-win for educators, students, and the entire learning community. Always keep in mind that the key to success with any form of professional learning is that it is part of a job-embedded and ongoing model.

Efficacy should be the goal of all professional learning. Learn more about how Aspire Change EDU helps districts, schools, and organizations personalize professional learning HERE.

Desimone, L. C. (2009). Improving teacher quality in an era of educational reform. Educational Researcher, 38(8), 649-664.

Guskey, T. R. (2000). Evaluating professional development. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

Moeller, S. C., & Allen, J. (2017). Microlearning for professional development: A systematic review. TechTrends, 61(3), 286-293.