Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/webinars-a-healthy-ingredient-in-your-programs-professional-development-diet/5023772/
Change comes slowly to early education. In some ways, this slow evolution has helped the field retain some of the best approaches, but in other ways it has been an impediment. However, the age of the internet has kicked off one change that has revolutionized the options for consuming information: delivery of professional development online. In fact, webinars, which are only one type of online delivery method, have become ubiquitous. A slew of colleges, companies, and organizations offer an irresistible feast of information specifically for our field! Increasingly, webinars are becoming part of life for early education, just like they have risen to prominence in other industries. It is exciting and captivating to have so many easy-to-access options for learning. This trend, like all other advancements, is also controversial.
I have a difficult admission to share: Just between you and me, I have serious concerns about webinars for professional development in early care and education. Even though I am obviously a major proponent of the medium, in my opinion, nothing should ever totally replace ongoing, live experiences offered in person. However, webinars can be incredibly powerful if used with careful planning as a part of what I call a healthy professional development ...