As I sat down to critique Scotland’s National Model of Professional Learning, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something about it just bugged me. I mean, it’s all lovely blues and greens, with neat circles fitting into other neat circles. Visually, it’s interesting—but isn’t that where the trouble starts?
I’ll be honest: I’m fairly suspicious of anything that looks too engaging. This reaction says more about me than the model itself, but it raises an important question: What am I being persuaded to accept by these circles and colours?
Let me break down my perspective:
The Classroom Teacher in Me
As a former classroom teacher, I have a natural skepticism toward anything that feels like it’s being handed down from on high. When I look at this model, I can’t help but think: Is this what my practice is supposed to look like? Am I already doing it? Do I need to shift gears, and if so, what would that even mean for my practice?
The Lecturer Perspective
Now, shifting gears to my role as a lecturer, I recognise that this model is important for the professionals who come to study with us. It raises another question: What needs to be taught based on this model, and how will that impact what we’re already teaching? The interplay between the model and our curriculum is critical, and I’m left wondering if this visual representation truly captures the complexity of professional learning.
The Artist’s Eye
Finally, as an artist, I can’t help but think about how this model connects to other images I’ve seen. What media were used to create them? What meanings and feelings do they evoke? Am I compelled to respond in kind, or do I want to carve my own path in how I interpret and implement professional learning?
Reflecting on the Model
So, here I am, grappling with the tension between the aesthetic appeal of the model and the critical questions it raises. First, I want to take a moment to describe this model in more detail, focusing on its graphic design and what it visually communicates.
But more importantly, I want to explore how we, as educators and practitioners, can navigate the space between pleasing aesthetics and the gritty reality of our work. Because while it may be visually attractive, perhaps even seductive, I can’t help but wonder if the National Model of Professional Learning holds up when we explore its implications.
Stay tuned as we unpack these thoughts further!
Acknowledgment
I used AI in developing this post. It was useful for clarifying my thoughts and finding a ‘blogging-voice’ that previously escaped me. I’ve saved the transcript.