In this episode of the Structured Literacy podcast, Jocelyn explores why traditional professional learning fails to improve student outcomes, drawing on research from Joyce and Showers to demonstrate that effective teacher knowledge building requires more than one-off workshops or program implementation. She explains how knowledge exists on a continuum from tacit/implicit (what we know but can't explain) through explicit and practical to theoretical knowledge, emphasising that transformation between these types requires high-quality collaboration, supportive leadership, professional guidance, and coaching rather than simply "plopping" new techniques into classrooms without understanding when and why to use them. 

Drawing on a 2022 study by Li and Sang reviewing 36 research papers, Jocelyn argues for a "slow-learning movement" that focuses on practices and principles of instruction rather than programs alone, advocating for sustained coaching that helps teachers integrate new learning with existing practice through testing, evaluation, and gradual transfer to achieve genuine student outcomes. 

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We have released Spelling Success in Action 1, a catch-up program for phonics, early morphology, and orthographic conventions for years 3 to 8. This program can be used one-on-one, in small groups, or as a whole class and is built on what the evidence tells us is the critical knowledge students need for strong spelling and the type of instruction that makes learning stick.

Learn more about this resource and order your copy at www.jocelynseamereducation.com

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