AIM

As part of a study of the effects of professional development on teacher knowledge, classroom practice, and student learning, we tested a model for improving science education at the elementary grades that we believe could be implemented at scale. This model combines lessons learned about teacher professional development (PD), instructional materials, how people learn science in general, and the teaching and learning of force and motion. The work included developing a learning theory-based replacement unit focused on force and motion for upper elementary grades, and a PD program for preparing teachers to implement the unit. The activities within the PD are meant to be easily transferable to classrooms, provide reliable results, and make use of materials that have low associated costs and are accessible to teachers.

The links below take you to an overview of the AIM PD program, resources to help prepare for and implement the program, and the PD materials themselves. In addition to describing the overall structure and specific elements of the program, information in the links attempt to convey the thinking that went into the design of the program. We hope that this information will help others use and adapt the materials purposefully.

Rationale and Goals
AIM PD Principles and Design
Suggestions for the PD Agenda
Tips for Implementing the PD
Assessing the Impact of the PD
AIM PD Materials
Additional Resources
References

The links above are also available as a stand alone user guide document; however, the links to the accompanying resources are only in the online version.