Training Options

Activated Learning is not a spiral-bound, scripted curriculum. We help teachers explore new beliefs, acquire new expertise, and change their pedagogy. For this reason, we very rarely work with groups of educators “cold,” or at the sole behest of an administrator. We prefer to work with teams of front-liners who really want us there, and administrators who are supportive and eager to learn. We know that our training can only have an impact if it addresses real-time problems, is adaptable, and is supported at all levels of the system over a long period of time. Ask yourself: is Activated Learning right for your team, right now?

Book a Training Inquiry Video Conference

Option 1: Self-Serve

Anyone can download these activities and get working with school staff to build EF-literacy. Combine this with a quick online consult and you’re getting a ton of bang for your buck. Online consults are booked by clicking the “Office Hours” button on the landing page and scrolling to the bottom to schedule “Activated Learning Support.”

Option 2: Online Training for School Teams

We have begun to provide end-to-end support using a series of online videoconference meetings. By proceeding this way, you can avoid incurring our travel costs, drastically reduce the need for teacher release time, spread your learning across a more generous and natural amount of time, and put together a more flexible program. Using a ZOOM video link, this experience can include:

  • first, a 1 hr meeting with your learning leaders to plan a set of easy staff activities for building EF-literacy. Then your team takes the lead for a few weeks;
  • then, a 1 hr whole-group presentation and discussion to explore relevant research and theory, and share the ways your team is interpreting their learning. This will cement a few key shifts in knowledge and belief, and ensure that everyone is on the same page;
  • then, a 1 hr whole-group videoconference to roll out the Barriers & Strategies protocol. This session focuses heavily on building a practical skill that teachers can use to power self-regulated learning and strategic approaches in the classroom;
  • then, a series of 6 x 20 min “check-in” appointments with a trainer during which 1-3 teachers troubleshoot, share successes, and get whatever extra resources they may need; and
  • finally, after a month or two, another set of check-ins to support continued implementation.

Options like these can be flexibly scheduled to fit into your professional learning time. The 20 min “check-ins” are scheduled seamlessly; we use an online calendar with many before and after school options, and focus making the process comfortable for teachers.

Option 3: 60-90 Minute Presentations

Get a feel for it. This active, playful visit is a toe-dip into the science of executive functioning. Is this the right move forward for your team right now? Find out.

Option 4: Level I Training (Now Online!)

Moving from a broad perspective to specific and practical examples, teachers will be inspired to apply executive functions knowledge to their daily instruction, feedback, and assessment practice. This training takes one full day in person, or can be spread over three online sessions. This type of training is not recommended for use without follow up support. One day of training very rarely leads to changed practice unless teachers have some in-service support.

After this experience, teachers will:

  • understand the impact of EFs on performance, teachers’ work, and classroom climate;
  • understand key research on EFs and classroom learning;
  • have a vision for how to build and use EF literacy in their unique context;
  • have all the materials they need to get started; and
  • be eligible for Level II Activated Learning training.

Option 5: Level II Training

This follow-up phase of inservice support is very important. We can work together to budget for a good combination of written reflection and online video-conferencing to bridge the difference between great PD and lasting change to teaching practice. The support offered generally includes a series of short, easy to schedule, semi-private video conferences in which teachers check-in with a trainer.

Option 6: Train the Trainer – Level I, II, + 2 days

Build a training team for your school or school board! Working with a team of your most keen teachers, we progress through Levels I and II training and finish with a two-day trainers’ program. Your in-house training team will leave equipped with expertise, confidence, and a co-created slide-deck and workbook that are just right for your context.

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Think online training might be too challenging? Take a look at this group of online trainees, below. We just completed a one-hour booster session to discuss whole class self-regulated learning support using the Barriers & Strategies protocol. We had a lively discussion, practiced using the technique, and laughed a lot. It worked really well. See how they are all holding up their hands? That’s applause in ASL – this training took place at the Sir James Whitney School in Belleville, Ontario, and almost every single one of those educators is deaf or hard of hearing. We use used ASL translators and had a grand time.

So, uh, what’s stopping YOU?