Definitions A to M

Constructivism - This idea builds on the suggestion that learners build knowledge structures rather than merely receiving them from teachers. In this view knowledge is not simply transmitted from teacher to student, but instead constructed in the mind of the learner. Constructivism teaching will be best learned through constructivist staff development. Rather than receiving "knowledge" from "experts" in training sessions, teachers and administrators will collaborate with peers and others to make sense of the teaching/learning process in their own context.

Definitions N to Z

Results driven education - This idea judges success by what students actually know and can do as a result of time spent in school, not by the courses taken or their grades. Staff development success is judged by whether it alters instructional behavior in a way that it benefits students, not by how many staff participated or how they liked the training.
Systems thinking - This idea recognizes the complex, interdependent relationship among the various parts of the system. An important part of systems thinking is that change in one part of the system, even relatively minor changes, can have significant effects on other parts of the system, either positively or negatively. In other words, "improvements" in one area may produce unintended consequences in another part of the system.