New Stanford initiative connects educators beyond campus with practical learning experiences
As schools navigate the rapidly changing world of education — with advances in technology and new instructional requirements putting ever-growing demands on educators — ongoing professional development is more important than ever.
But many teachers, school leaders, and other educators struggle to find reputable trainings that address the realities of today’s classrooms.
A new initiative at Stanford Graduate School of Education (GSE) aims to change that. With the launch of Professional Learning Extension (PLEX), the GSE is providing easier access to an array of non-degree courses, workshops, and other programs to help education professionals improve their capacity to teach and lead.
With offerings this summer on topics ranging from AI literacy and math instruction to supporting English learners at all grade levels, PLEX equips educators to face timely challenges with research-backed programs, led by Stanford scholars.
“Professional learning is an important way for us to extend the impact of our research beyond the Stanford campus, into schools and classrooms around the country,” said Geoffrey Cox, a professor of the practice at the GSE and academic director of PLEX. “It’s an opportunity for professionals to benefit from the latest research, so they can advance in their own practice and create system-wide changes.”
Meeting educators where they are
The GSE has long offered learning opportunities for educators through a number of centers across the school. PLEX provides a single point of entry while expanding offerings for educators at every level, with different program designs and a mix of in-person and online formats.
“Our aim is to meet educators where they are, regardless of their needs or location,” said Tammy Wu Moriarty, executive director of PLEX.
In addition to workshops and webinars, PLEX is developing a series of online professional certificate programs that provide more extensive, multi-course learning experiences for working professionals.
“These are drawn from GSE programs where there’s a huge demand and where we know we can help professionals advance their careers,” said Cox.
For instance, the new Stanford Learning Design and Technology Professional Certificate — which applies core concepts from the GSE’s popular master’s program in learning design and technology — combines learning science, user-centered design, technology, and evaluation in a seven-month online program for professionals who design and lead learning experiences.
Partnering for system-wide change
For districts and educational systems, PLEX offers customized experiences to support lasting change on a larger scale.
Building on the GSE’s longstanding work with school systems around the world, PLEX will organize a series of connected sessions focused on a particular challenge facing the district. The series can include between-session activities for participants, pre-meetings with school partners, and group or individual coaching.
Other custom programs focus on designing future-ready school systems, instructional practices for multilingual learners, using technology as tools for creativity and teamwork, and more. Collaborations with other types of organizations, such as professional associations, are another way PLEX will leverage GSE research to support practitioners.
PLEX will also partner with Stanford faculty to develop new offerings, providing operational and program development support for professors interested in initiating professional learning for teachers and school systems drawn from their research.
“With a larger team focused on professional learning, we can make our expertise available to a wider community of educators, and respond more quickly to emerging issues facing schools,” Moriarty said. “Where we see a need or an opportunity, we want to try to help fill it.”
Upcoming live online courses from PLEX include:
AI Literacy for Educators (Aug. 3-6)
Teaching Content for English Learners through Integrated English Language Development (Aug. 3-6)
Designing Instruction for Designated English Language Development (weekly from Aug. 27-Oct. 8)
To be notified about new offerings from PLEX, join the mailing list.
