Download or read book Understanding how Professional Learning Communities Impact Teaching Practice and what Influences the Process written by Shilpa D. Dalal and published by . This book was released on 2013 with total page 121 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Problem: Professional learning communities (PLCs) are not a new trend in education but are getting more attention in schools today as a vehicle for establishing collegial relationships among teachers and for building capacity for change within schools (Dufour & Eaker, 1998; Fullan, 2004; Hord, 2004; Senge, 2000). Schools are working diligently to become PLCs in hopes of improving student learning yet there are pitfalls schools must be cognizant of. The core principles of PLCs do not simply exist because leaders are calling them PLCs. Dufour cautioned "the term has been used so ubiquitously that it is in danger of losing all meaning" (Dufour, 2004, p. 6) while others warned of contrived collegiality as opposed to genuine collaborative teacher cultures (Hargreaves & Dawe, 1990). This study explores the development of PLCs at one middle school to provide feedback to improve practice while also building the research base on what contextual factors contributed to PLCs and how PLCs impact key components including pedagogy and assessment. Research Questions: The questions explored in this case study of one grade level in a middle school are: 1. In what ways does teaching practice change as a result of participation in a professional learning community? 2. What aspects about the PLCs contributed to the change? 3. What contextual factors contributed to the PLCs capacity to support teacher change? Methodology: A qualitative case study was used focusing on information gained from interviews, observations, surveys, and documentation for this study. The administrative team and core eighth grade teachers were interviewed and 4 observations of PLC meetings were completed. Data analysis included organizing and analyzing data using Dedoose, a qualitative research software program. Significance: Research on PLCs has typically focused on understanding what true PLCs are and how they can improve schools. This study focuses on identifying what types of changes took place in terms of pedagogy and assessment as a result of participating in PLCs. In addition, by focusing on a school that began the implementation process five years ago, the study aims to identify aspects about PLCs that contributed to instructional change. The study also identifies contextual factors that were critical for PLCs to support teacher change in order to help other school leaders that may be initiating PLCs in their own schools.
Download or read book Leading Professional Learning Communities written by Shirley M. Hord and published by Corwin Press. This book was released on 2008-02-01 with total page 185 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Imagine all professionals in all schools engaged in continuous professional learning! Education experts Shirley M. Hord and William A. Sommers explore the school-based learning opportunities offered to school professionals and the principal's critical role in the creation, development, and support of an effective professional learning community (PLC). This book provides school leaders with readily accessible information to guide them in initiating and developing a PLC that supports teachers and students. Using field-tested examples, the text illustrates how this research-based school improvement model can help educators: Increase leadership capacity Embed professional development into daily work Create a positive school culture Develop accountability Boost student achievement
Download or read book Understanding the Impact of Professional Learning Communites on Teacher Instructional Practices written by Eric J. Jameson and published by . This book was released on 2013 with total page 132 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "This capstone details the impact of Professional Learning Communities (PLC) on teacher instructional practices at an urban middle school community. The paper examines how the PLC model promotes the idea that students learn best when educators work collaboratively to determine four things: what students need to learn, what strategies are most effective at attaining high levels of student learning, common assessments that gauge what students learn, and a system that supports students when they don't learn. The capstone explores the effect of PLCs on teacher instructional practices at an urban middle school where the model has been implemented over the past five years."--
Download or read book Formalise Prioritise and Mobilise written by Chris Brown and published by Emerald Group Publishing. This book was released on 2019-01-04 with total page 91 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Professional learning networks (PLN) are considered to be an effective way to foster school improvement. In order to generate change PLNs require effective support from school leaders, but these leaders might best support PLNs is currently little understood. To address this, this book presents a case study of the leadership of one PLN in England.
Download or read book Professional Learning Communities at Work written by Richard DuFour and published by Solution Tree. This book was released on 1998 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Provides specific information on how to transform schools into results-oriented professional learning communities, describing the best practices that have been used by schools nationwide.
Download or read book Real World Professional Learning Communities written by Daisy Arredondo Rucinski and published by Rowman & Littlefield. This book was released on 2016-12-08 with total page 229 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In a professional learning community (PLC), teachers are organized into teams, committed to meeting on a regular basis to study their teaching strategies and the effects of those strategies on the students in their classrooms. The teacher teams can be of varied form and composition. Whatever the organizational structure, the teams have one goal – that is to improve teaching so that student learning is improved. Policy developers, legislators, and educational leaders have encouraged the adoption of collaborative professional learning teams as a school reform model for improving schools. In this book we describe the results of studies of professional learning communities in real schools and the effects of the teams on student learning. Much of the time school innovations are not examined in depth. Instead authors and developers simply advocate that they be used. In this book, school principals and administrators describe how their teachers used the PLC teams to improve student learning in their schools. In other words, this book presents actual research on the effects of the use of PLCs rather than testimonials.
Download or read book The Creation of a Professional Learning Community for School Leaders written by Amalia Humada- Ludeke and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2013-09-03 with total page 157 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The unwavering culture of continuous improvement efforts to bring about school change has irrevocably changed the role expectations for the school leader. The school leader in the 21st century is increasingly perceived as an instructional leader expected to implement whole-school reform models that can shape teacher practice and influence student outcomes. The significant changes in role expectations for school leaders present considerable challenges to an educational system that was not designed to incorporate these conceptualizations. In light of the increased acceptance of changed leadership expectations, the elements that are needed for developing, supporting, and sustaining instructional leaders who can lead systemic change efforts are frequently not present, are fragmented, or are observed at various developmental stages throughout the pK-20 pipeline. This book is centered on the learning and changed behaviors of school leaders, who engaged in a sustained job-embedded professional learning community, facilitated through a university-district partnership. The learning from the findings, suggested that job-embedded learning with their peers, can be instrumental for these principals to build the capacity to lead systemic change efforts. The findings further suggested that creating conditions for new understanding to occur, and sustained opportunities to apply new learning in context to their role, entailed a collaborative effort by a partnership involving two separate institutions with different priorities. The author makes a case for the educational pipeline, to prioritize the support and understanding of complex systemic change efforts and innovations, as they are linked to school improvement.
Download or read book Teachers Perceptions of how Professional Learning Communities Impact Their Professional Practices written by Angela Maria Mitchell and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 174 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "With an increased focus on school accountability for students' test scores and achievement, professional learning communities are a viable solution to improving learning outcomes for students. The purpose of this study was to examine high school teachers' perceptions of the influence of professional learning communities on teachers' instructional practices, their learning through professional development, and student achievement"--Leaf iii.
Download or read book Educators as Learners written by Penelope J. Wald and published by ASCD. This book was released on 2000-02-15 with total page 142 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: How can schools develop a shared vision that embraces the aspiration of all members of the school community? How can members of a learning community work together to build the knowledge and processes needed for student success? This book describes a professional development model that supports educators and families in learning and growing together. It offers a theoretical framework and practical guidance for renewing the capacity of schools to produce positive results for all children. * Part I: Cornerstones discusses concepts, assumptions, and leadership qualities of an effective school-based staff development model. * Part II: Process presents lively case studies and activities that show how to build professional learning communities. It describes strategies to help teams engage in meaningful dialogue and discovery. * Part III: Tools for Learning is filled with practical, field-tested staff development tools that complement the process of building school-based professional learning communities. This book embraces principles of collegiality, inquiry, learning, and community. It is written by practitioners for practitioners in the hope that collegial learning will be a renewing force in schools during these times of change. Note: This product listing is for the Adobe Acrobat (PDF) version of the book.
Download or read book Revisiting Professional Learning Communities at Work written by Richard DuFour and published by Solution Tree Press. This book was released on 2009-11-01 with total page 592 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This 10th-anniversary sequel to the authors’ best-selling book Professional Learning Communities at WorkTM: Best Practices for Enhancing Student Achievement merges research, practice, and passion. The most extensive, practical, and authoritative PLC resource to date, it goes further than ever before into best practices for deep implementation, explores the commitment/consensus issue, and celebrates successes of educators who are making the journey.
Download or read book Reach the Highest Standard in Professional Learning Implementation written by Michael Fullan and published by Corwin Press. This book was released on 2014-09-04 with total page 72 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Implementation IS Effective professional learning! Learning Forward is a leader in understanding and advancing professional learning that leads to student success. This series explores Learning Forward’s seven Standards for Professional Learning, which outline the characteristics of effective professional learning that, collectively, advance teaching and learning. In this volume, you’ll get original essays, an inspirational case study, and detailed guidance on "implementing the implementation standard." Deepen your knowledge of the standards and learn how to: Use professional learning as a powerful lever for long-term change Invest in human and social capital to promote school-wide success through an original "think piece" by Michael Fullan Connect the standards to your site-specific needs Discover what it takes to implement lasting, high-impact professional learning and practice. This expert resource will show you how!
Download or read book What Works in Schools written by Robert J. Marzano and published by ASCD. This book was released on 2003 with total page 225 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Schools can and do affect student achievement, and this book recommends specific-and attainable-action steps to implement successful strategies culled from the wealth of research data.
Download or read book Transformational Professional Learning written by Deborah M. Netolicky and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2019-08-09 with total page 169 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Emerging from an education world that sees professional learning as a tool to positively shape teaching practice in order to improve student learning, Transformational Professional Learning elucidates professional learning that is transformational for teachers, school leaders, and schools. Written from the unique ‘pracademic’ perspective of an author who is herself a practising teacher, school leader, and researcher, this book articulates the why and the what of professional learning. It acts as a bridge between research and practice by weaving scholarly literature together with the lived experience of the author and with the voices of those working in schools. It covers topics from conferences, coaching, and collaboration, to teacher standards and leadership of professional learning. This book questions the ways in which professional learning is often wielded in educational settings and shows where teachers, school leaders, system leaders, and researchers can best invest their time and resources in order to support and develop the individuals, teams, and cultures in schools. It will be of great interest to teachers, leaders within schools, staff responsible for professional learning in school contexts, professional learning consultants, professional learning providers, and education researchers.
Download or read book Catholic Schools and the Common Good written by Anthony S. BRYK and published by Harvard University Press. This book was released on 2009-06-30 with total page 417 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The authors examine a broad range of Catholic high schools to determine whether or not students are better educated in these schools than they are in public schools. They find that the Catholic schools do have an independent effect on achievement, especially in reducing disparities between disadvantaged and privileged students. The Catholic school of today, they show, is informed by a vision, similar to that of John Dewey, of the school as a community committed to democratic education and the common good of all students.
Download or read book The Connected Educator written by Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach and published by Solution Tree Press. This book was released on 2011-11-14 with total page 333 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Create a connected learning community through social media and rediscover the power of being a learner first. After uncovering the theories and research behind the significance of learning through collaboration with other educators, the authors show you how to take advantage of technology to improve your own learning and ultimately the learning of your students.
Download or read book Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8 written by National Research Council and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2015-07-23 with total page 587 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Children are already learning at birth, and they develop and learn at a rapid pace in their early years. This provides a critical foundation for lifelong progress, and the adults who provide for the care and the education of young children bear a great responsibility for their health, development, and learning. Despite the fact that they share the same objective - to nurture young children and secure their future success - the various practitioners who contribute to the care and the education of children from birth through age 8 are not acknowledged as a workforce unified by the common knowledge and competencies needed to do their jobs well. Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8 explores the science of child development, particularly looking at implications for the professionals who work with children. This report examines the current capacities and practices of the workforce, the settings in which they work, the policies and infrastructure that set qualifications and provide professional learning, and the government agencies and other funders who support and oversee these systems. This book then makes recommendations to improve the quality of professional practice and the practice environment for care and education professionals. These detailed recommendations create a blueprint for action that builds on a unifying foundation of child development and early learning, shared knowledge and competencies for care and education professionals, and principles for effective professional learning. Young children thrive and learn best when they have secure, positive relationships with adults who are knowledgeable about how to support their development and learning and are responsive to their individual progress. Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8 offers guidance on system changes to improve the quality of professional practice, specific actions to improve professional learning systems and workforce development, and research to continue to build the knowledge base in ways that will directly advance and inform future actions. The recommendations of this book provide an opportunity to improve the quality of the care and the education that children receive, and ultimately improve outcomes for children.
Download or read book Flip the System Australia written by Deborah M. Netolicky and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2018-12-07 with total page 283 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This is a book by educators, for educators. It grapples with the complexities, the humanity and the possibilities in education. In a climate of competing accountabilities and measurement mechanisms; corporate solutions to education ‘problems’; and narratives of ‘failing’ schools, ‘underperforming’ teachers and ‘disengaged’ students; this book asks ‘What matters?’ or ‘What should matter?’ in education. Based in the unique Australian context, this book situates Australian education policy, research and practice within the international education narrative. It argues that professionals within schools should be supported, empowered and welcomed into policy discourse, not dictated to by top-down bureaucracy. It advocates for a flipping, flattening and democratising of the education system, in Australia and around the world. Flip the System Australia: What matters in education brings together the voices of teachers, school leaders and scholars in order to offer diverse perspectives, important challenges and hopeful alternatives to the current education system.
