PhotoPedagogy blog

CPD for Photography Teachers

22/4/2017

What has been the best professional development you've ever experienced as a photography teacher?

I imagine no single course or experience has been able to satisfy all your needs but it would be great to know what you have valued. Here are some of the experiences that I have either valued or would value in any CPD event:

an opportunity to be taught about aspects of the history and theory of photography by experts in the field
an opportunity to be shown useful, innovative and unusual techniques and processes
an opportunity to discuss photography pedagogy, how to interpret the various exam board specifications whilst maintaining a focus on creativity, independence and authenticity
an opportunity to make photographs (in a studio and/or on location) alongside fellow photography teachers and to explore the identity of artist/teacher
an opportunity to meet and hear from one or more respected photographers
an opportunity to explore the transitions between KS4 and 5 and between KS5 and degree level study
an opportunity to talk to colleagues from a range of settings across the country, to plan projects and discuss ideas for future schemes of work

Is there anything you would want to add to this list? Who has provided your CPD to date? I've been to fantastic courses at The Photographers' Gallery, for example. We really enjoyed our recent day of creative mischief at Tate Exchange during which we to to meet and work alongside several colleagues and their students. Some of the best CPD I've experienced has been through conversations, both real and virtual, with colleagues. Our Threshold Concepts were developed in this way, collaboratively and online.

What if we could organise a conference (an unconference even) specifically for teachers of photography? How might it work? It's an idea that Chris and I have discussed several times. The likelihood of being able to create one event that would satisfy lots of people (cost, location, duration) would be a real challenge. Nevertheless, it's a tantalising prospect. A first step would be to try to understand what colleagues might want from such an event:

How long might it last (a few hours, a day, a weekend, over several days...?)
Where might it take place (in a city, on the coast, abroad, in a rural location, in a gallery, in a school, online...?)
How much might participants be willing/able to pay (nothing, transport costs only, £50-100, more...?)

In other words, if you could design your ideal CPD experience, what would it look and feel like?

As a photography teaching community perhaps we could collaborate in designing our own CPD and organise an event or events which would help to meet our collective needs? Please leave your responses in the comments below.

Jon Nicholls
Thomas Tallis School

17 Comments

Jon Kime link

2/5/2017 03:06:40 pm

Tate exchange was one of the most inspiring sessions I have attended, being able to see photographic theory being put into practice was really enjoyable.
Ive attended exam board and other CPD days in the past and have found little value as they focus on the basics and dont challenge any boundaries.
Despite the increase in GCSE photography delivery I still feel quite isolated in terms of colleagues wanting to discuss the subject indepth, it would be great to meet up with people who have a real interest and passion for photography from a personal point of view and not just teaching. A conference based on the threashold concepts would be really interesting (I plan to use these as the basis for our new Y9 cohort next year) The chance to visit a great exhibition as part of a conference would be great for discussion and debate.
I think that practical sessions are extrememly useful as part of CPD both a chance to try new techniques and to embed knowledge discussed in other parts of a session. I am keen to assist colleagues who are less experienced than myself and would relish the chance to help out in any way I can such as running a workshop or hosting a debate.
A multi day confernce wherever hosted gives a chance for futher discussion, to explore techniques in depth and the time to form new connections. Private CPD deliverers are still charging 2 -300 pounds for one day sessions, I think that although budgets are being squeezed in many areas anything under this price range are seen as better value. Personally over the last two years I have sought CPD from 'non education' areas such as studios offering workshops or conferences from my photographic network (Redeye) rather than the usual 'teaching photography routes.
Let me know if I can help in any way.

Jon Nicholls link

10/5/2017 02:54:23 pm

Thanks for the positive feedback about Tate Exchange Jon and the suggestions for a menu of activities/opportunities to be included in your ideal CPD session. Chris and I had a long chat about this yesterday (whilst evaluating our Tate Exchange project) and we're keen to try something. More anon.

Hannah Reynolds link

2/5/2017 07:48:05 pm

I agree with Jon's sentiment- having the opportunity to meet other photography teachers would be fantastic. I have been teaching for two years, and I am currently my schools main photography teacher. I have also attended a GCSE training day in preparation for teaching the new spec, but this was focused on assessment and with only a small amount of time to share ideas and experiences from our own departments. This is the thing I feel most in need of for my personal development- direct contact with other departments and the opportunity for face to face discussions.
I think the chance to share ideas with colleagues from a range of different departments, discuss pedagogical approaches in direct relation to the teaching of photography and to create opportunities for future collaborations, the prospect of a conference is certainly an attractive one. Again as Jon said, having a practical element would definitely appeal as well.
I agree that as long as the conference was in line with other private CPD opportunities, my school would certainly support funding my attendance.
I look forward to seeing what happens with this, and would be really excited to get involved!

10/5/2017 02:56:23 pm

Thanks for this excellent feedback Hannah. Tackling the issue of photography teacher isolation is a key ambition of ours. If you'd like to get more involved in contributing to the site, please let us know. And feel free to get in touch with us any time.

Susan

2/5/2017 10:17:11 pm

I run CPD days about setting up GCSE photography courses and I am still surprised at the diverse range of knowledge and understanding (and experience). I love your Conference idea but I'd "sell it" with a specific rationale.You want people to come together for a reason, purpose, so be ckear about that. The best inset sessions involve "hands-on". I agree with Hannah that sharing is very important. You can run a day or afternoon/twilight day at a reasonable cost if you find somewhere to host it, near to stations and arterial roads, timing and location do matter. We've found that 1-5pm is successful, it also cuts out having to provide lunch and reduces overall costs.

10/5/2017 02:56:57 pm

Thanks for this Susan. Great advice as always.

Lizzi

5/5/2017 08:02:15 am

I find that CPD on offer only gives you basic knowledge and doesn't explore the possibilities oif photography and where we can tackle it as an art form. Most of the time we simply get frustrated at the examination board for the grade barriers and no one seems to want to share their practical knowledge and experience a hands on session, or sharing good practice.
As a practitioner I don't just want to teach it I want to keep learning, to develop my own skills and to share my knowledge with others as well as gaining from what they have to share with me.
I would love the opportunity to attend a conference over a few days exploring practical aspects, teaching elements, sharing good practice, idea exploration, and anything else you had to offer. I am sure that with the right sales pitch my school would fund it without question...
I would have thought we all became photography teachers to inspire the next generation to love the subject as we do and to explore their own skills and understanding... what better way to do that than to get together all us like minded folk in one space to share what we know, what we love and what we hope our students will love too.
The prospects of this makes me very excited!!! Cant wait to hear more.....

10/5/2017 02:58:29 pm

Thanks Lizzi. I think a strong practical element is vital for any decent CPD session. We're very keen on the notion of artist/teacher and the need to keep practising what you preach. Plus, it's a lot of fun!

Cath Stanley

10/5/2017 06:21:16 pm

I teach photography in FE and I really value CPD sessions, I have funded my own CPD for the last three years as funding cuts have certainly challenged just running the department. I like to participate in a wide variety of Photography workshops that are not connected specifically to teaching/education mainly because I don't want to become institutionalised and loose my own creative direction. Like Jon I use Redeye as I love their wide selection of events, meeting other like minded people and just continously learning, some of which I can take back into the classroom. I would certainly be interested in meeting up with other photography teachers as it would be beneficial to see how other teachers deliver certain aspects and just generally share good practice.

10/5/2017 08:17:19 pm

Thanks for these thoughts Cath. We'll let you know if we make any progress on a meet-up this summer so we can continue to strengthen the community of practice amongst photography teachers.

Jai Tyler link

11/5/2017 10:56:25 am

Hello all,

Jai, from The Photographers' Gallery here. I think a conference is a fantastic idea. We are always happy to work with teachers to run things like this and can offer our space (seats 80 max + gallery spaces) for you to use.

We're also really keen to host more teachmeet's so if any teachers would like to arrange their own session (perhaps bringing together teachers to discuss subjects in depth or exchange knowledge as others have suggested). We can offer you our space for free, have staff on hand and also provide some drinks and snacks.

Just get in touch if you'd like to run something for teachers' here: [email protected]

I hope this helps. J

11/5/2017 01:22:45 pm

Hi Jai. Thanks, as always, for this offer of support. I can certainly testify to the fantastic resources available at The Photographers' Gallery. If we manage to organise something and it's in London we'll definitely be in touch.

Rob

4/7/2017 05:43:44 pm

I've been teaching gcse photography for a few years now, with some help from yourself Jon when I first started out! I'm always on the look out to see best practice. I agree with the previous comments, i love to develop my own skills and learn from other people offerings to students, whilst also sharing my own best practice. I think it could be over two days each having a focus, it could also be done over the calendar year.

1/8/2017 06:39:22 pm

Thanks Rob. Looks like there's plenty of support for a CPD opportunity focused on building personal skills, sharing practice and exploring ways to make the curriculum even more rigorous and engaging for students. Chris and I will get our thinking caps on. Happy holidays everyone.

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