What+Makes+Professional+Development+Effective?

=== "In schools where professional learning is centered around job embedded collaboration with a focus on student results, teachers feel less isolated and experience a greater sense of confidence and job satisfaction--basically the antithesis of the type of professional development that occurs outside the school, away from actual instruction, and away from students." NEA Today Spring 2013 ===

Check out the recent article and research about "effective Professional Development". What are your thoughts and suggestions about staff development/ professional development? Does attending county workshops impact your skills as a teacher? Collaborating with colleagues in school?