What Is Good Professional Development? Regardless of the topic or skills addressed, successful professional development should employ several consistent elements, which are not unique to technology professional development. As mentioned previously, good professional development decisions fit with goals and objectives that support the school's mission. Professional development should meet the specific needs of the teachers. Activities should emphasize curricular application within a framework of skills development and should be supported through adequate resources—especially time. Teachers need time to build skills, to become familiar with new content and materials, and to practice new skills in their content areas and learning activities. Support for these activities should include adequate practice and follow-up as well as an evaluation component. Many researchers and practitioners agree that successful professional development gives participants opportunities to collaborate and communicate with their peers. Peer coaching is often more effective than the lecture format and many schools find success in following a train-the-trainer model that allows individuals to receive training or attend conferences and then return to the home school and share their new knowledge and skills.