Podcast: Simplifying Professional Development with On-Demand Tools
I recently had the chance to join Monica Burns on her Easy EdTech Podcast to talk about something I care deeply about: designing professional learning that actually works for real educators, in real contexts.
In this episode, we dig into Simplifying Professional Development with On-Demand Tools and why flexible, on-demand professional learning is no longer a nice-to-have. It’s essential.
We talk about:
Why one-size-fits-all professional development continues to miss the mark
The critical difference between professional development (PD) and professional learning (PL), and why that distinction matters for implementation
How on-demand tools can reduce overwhelm while increasing relevance and impact
What it looks like to build professional learning ecosystems that support educators when the need is real, not just when the calendar says so
How UDL and adult learning theory can guide professional learning that is accessible, actionable, and more likely to change practice
This conversation also connects to my ongoing work around shifting systems from PD to PL, including a forthcoming article I co-authored with Jessica Holloway, Kenny McKee, and Tammy Musiowsky, PL Not PD: The Power of Iterative Inquiry and Shared Ownership in Changing Teacher Practice, which will be published in ASCD’s Educational Leadership Magazine in May 2026.
If you’re a district leader, coach, or professional learning provider looking to move beyond sit-and-get sessions and toward sustainable implementation, this episode will resonate.
You can listen to the full episode using the embedded player below, or find it on your favorite podcast platform. If you give it a listen, I’d love to hear what stands out for you.
