The before and after of a professional learning event is as important as the event itself, says Fred Ende, author of "Professional Development That Sticks" (ASCD Arias, 2016). Here, he introduces the TAR Method (Think, Act, Review) to help give these phases their due.

According to Jim Knight, learning something new--such as a new instructional approach or other innovation--and applying it in practice is complex and involves adaptations that take time. Knight describes the five stages he believes people go through in learning and practicing any innovation, from "non-use," gradually up to the stage of…

To improve professional practice, educators need sound principles about how learning works to guide their pedagogical decisions, actions, policies, and practices. Such principles as teaching for fluent and flexible transfer, incorporating big ideas that connect isolated facts, and providing user-friendly feedback make learning meaningful for…