Download or read book Teacher Perceptions of the Impact of Professional Learning written by Teresa Allen Bitterman and published by . This book was released on 2010 with total page 117 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The purpose of this study was to examine teacher perceptions of professional learning communities in three middle schools. This research examined the perceived impact of professional learning communities on teaching and on student learning. One question guided this research. "What are the teachers' perceptions of seventh grade learning communities' impact on teaching and on student learning in science?" This study used a multiple methods design to examine evidence about relationships among professional learning communities and teaching and student learning. A survey modified from an earlier research study was used (Bolam, McMahon, Stoll, & Thomas 2005). This survey was administered to the teachers who are part of seventh grade science learning communities from each of three participating middle schools. The results from this survey were used to describe teacher perceptions about the use of learning communities within each school. A purposeful sample of candidates was then selected for interviews. Through the use of the two data sources, surveys (see Appendix A) and interviews (see Appendix B), the researcher found four common themes that support the idea of a professional learning community and the effects teachers perceived as contributing to successful teaching and learning. The four themes that emerged included the importance of learning trends, organizational support for a learning community, enquiry orientation, and the need for provision of planning and development.

Download or read book Teacher Perceptions of the Impact on Professional Learning Communities Through the Collaborative Work Project Involvement written by and published by . This book was released on 2015 with total page 156 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Teacher Perceptions of a Professional Learning Community written by Bo Hannaford and published by LAP Lambert Academic Publishing. This book was released on 2011-09 with total page 116 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Many studies provide evidence that professional learning communities are a valid means for school reform in public education. These studies may be even more important since schools are facing more pressure than ever to meet high academic performance benchmarks. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to discover teacher perceptions toward a professional learning community and teacher perceptions of instructional practice in a middle school in a southern U.S. state. The results of this study indicated that teachers have a positive perception of learning communities, instructional practice, effective communication, collaboration, shared leadership practices, and the use of common assessments. Teachers, principals, and superintendents may use the results of this study to promote the creation of professional learning communities. The results of this study can lead to positive social change by providing an alternative school culture encouraging a positive perception among teachers that leads to improved instructional practice which can impact student learning

Download or read book Teacher Perceptions of Effects of Professional Development on Teaching Practice and Student Learning written by Imelda R. Castaňeda and published by . This book was released on 2002 with total page 266 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This study sought to test whether multidimensional professional development programs are preferable to a traditional one, which, typically, consists of taking a graduate course. It compared teachers' perceptions about the effects of three programs for professional development on their teaching practice and student performance. Two of the programs, the Arts Integration Program and Job Shadowing Institute, were multidimensional models of professional development. The third was Technology Training, a traditional model of professional development. The purpose of the study was to contribute to the body of knowledge about teachers' perceptions of the effect of professional development on their teaching practice and their students' learning. The study included elementary, middle, and high school teachers as participants and survey respondents. It spanned three years. Descriptive data were collected to provide an accurate description of the three programs. Participant observations of professional development sessions, informal and formal interviews of teachers, administrators, and facilitators were among the data collection tools used during the first two years of the study to provide a detailed description of the actual programs. The main focus of the study was a survey of participants' perceptions of the effect of professional development on their teaching and their students' learning. Survey results indicated that teachers perceived that professional development could be most effective for improving their teaching practice and student learning when the professional development programs are intentional, on going, and systemic. The non-traditional, multidimensional professional development was found to be more effective than the traditional model. However, the results of the study also indicated that even a traditional model of professional development was perceived as having an impact on students' learning when applications were made to curricular content and when there was support for further training. Based on these findings, a model or 'scaffold' towards effective professional development was conceptualized using constructs and characteristics that might influence teaching practice and student learning. Results are discussed in the light of the limitations of the study, implications for education, and suggestions for future research.

Download or read book Professional Learning Communities written by Erika Schlichter and published by . This book was released on 2015 with total page 120 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The mandate for school reform is becoming more urgent as schools increasingly focus on improving student learning. This mandate for reform has produced a need for effective school improvement structures to organize staff efforts to improve student learning. The professional learning communities (PLC) structure has been widely touted among practitioners as a valid model for instituting school reform. The popularity of this structure has grown to such an extent that its impact has been diluted through lack of understanding, partial implementation, and lack of focus on student learning outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship among different components of the PLC framework when it is implemented at the high school level. In addition, this study examined how teacher demographic characteristics, such as gender and longevity in the profession, impact teachers' perceptions of PLCs. These relationships were measured using means difference testing and correlation analyses. The significance of the study lies in its usefulness to those attempting to implement the PLC structure as a school improvement measure. This study identifies relationships among the components of PLCs and how teachers perceive the structure, thus providing direction so practitioners will be able to more effectively target their resources for implementation.

Download or read book Perceptions of the Effects of Professional written by Kyra Lee Rhyne and published by . This book was released on 2011 with total page 129 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The purpose of this study was to describe teacher perceptions of the effects of Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), as designed by common planning of core subjects among high school teachers, on teacher efficacy in the public schools of North Georgia. The study sought to answer the following research questions: (1) Is there a difference in teacher selfefficacy as measured by the Teacher's Sense of Efficacy Scale (TSES) between high school teachers who participate in Professional Learning Communities linked with the organizational structure of common core planning and those who do not? and (2) What differences exist among teachers' description of the effects of common core planning on their teaching practices and on their self-efficacy? The first question was answered using the TSES. The second research question was answered through interviews with a purposefully selected sample of teachers. This research used mixed methods. Survey and interview data exploring teacher's educational experience in Professional Learning Communities designed with and without common core planning were collected. Survey results provide evidence of a positive relationship between classroom related components of teacher efficacy and Professional Learning Communities linked with the organizational strategy of common core planning among the unit of analysis--the teachers. This study added to the existing body of knowledge about the use of Professional Learning Communities in high schools. Implications for researchers, policy analysis, and practitioners were identified.

Download or read book Meaningful Physical Education written by Tim Fletcher and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2021-02-25 with total page 113 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book outlines an approach to teaching and learning in physical education that prioritises meaningful experiences for pupils, using case studies to illustrate how practitioners have implemented this approach across international contexts. Prioritising the idea of meaningfulness positions movement as a primary way to enrich the quality of young people’s lives, shifting the focus of physical education programs to better suit the needs of contemporary young learners and resist the utilitarian health-oriented views of physical education that currently predominate in many schools and policy documents. The book draws on the philosophy of physical education to articulate the main rationale for prioritising meaningful experiences, before identifying potential and desired outcomes for participants. It highlights the distinct characteristics of meaningful physical education and its content, and outlines teaching and learning principles and strategies, supported by pedagogical cases that show what meaningful physical education can look like in school-based teaching and in higher education-based teacher education. With an emphasis on good pedagogical practice, this is essential reading for all pre-service and in-service physical education teachers or coaches working in youth sport.

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 Teacher Perceptions of the Impact of Professional Development and Teacher student Relationships on School Climate written by Beverly Pearson Price and published by . This book was released on 2008 with total page 129 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

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 Teacher Construction of Knowledge and Perception Surrounding Professional Learning Communities written by Lori A. Smith and published by . This book was released on 2016 with total page 146 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Today, educators, administrators, students, and community stakeholders are being asked to receive, implement, and utilize change strategies designed to improve student achievement. One such change strategy currently being utilized is that of the professional learning community. Empirical evidence capturing the voices of the teachers who construct their knowledge and perception surrounding professional learning communities is deficient in the body of literature found today. Using a narrative approach this study examined the following research questions: How do teachers describe the purpose of PLCs? What are teacher perceptions of PLCs at Ames Elementary? How do teacher perceptions of PLCs affect the implementation of PLCs at Ames Elementary? The findings of this study indicate that administrators need to provide ongoing teacher training opportunities. There must also be support provided for the staff that will ensure their ability to be able to form a strong collaborative PLC culture. The purpose for the implementation of PLCs must be clearly articulated and transparent, and the development of positive teacher leaders within PLCs is key. This paper suggests that these factors are useful in working toward implementing and sustaining a professional learning community.

Download or read book The Impact of Blended Professional Learning Focused on Total Physical Response Storytelling TPRS on Teacher Perceptions and Practices written by April DeBord and published by . This book was released on 2019 with total page 348 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Professional learning plays an integral role in every educator’s career. Studies show that traditional workshop professional learning in a one-round session without follow-up training is not effective (Ball & Cohen, 1999), yet this type of professional learning still comprises the bulk of professional development offerings. This study sought to discover the impact of providing blended professional learning with coaching on teacher perception, teacher knowledge, classroom practice, and student learning. Participating instructors from various Grades 9-12 backgrounds received asynchronous virtual training in the TPRS® method and Marzano’s (2004) vocabulary learning strategies. The training was delivered via the Canvas Learning Management System. The researcher then provided synchronous face-to-face coaching helping teachers plan lessons and assessments utilizing the new methods. The teacher measured student learning with pre and postassessments before and after the course. The researcher’s findings indicated teacher perceptions of the blended learning design were overwhelmingly positive. Teacher knowledge of best practices in vocabulary instruction increased, and their students grew and became more engaged with the class content. Teachers described their classroom instruction of vocabulary transformed from boring and lifeless to connected, personalized, and exciting. As teachers grew so did their students’ learning. The researcher utilized the paired samples t test to analyze 46 pairs of student growth scores from before teachers participated in the course and after teachers participated in the course. The results indicate with a high level of confidence that student posttest results will improve after teachers participate in the Blended Learning with Coaching Course on TPRS®.

Download or read book The Effects of Professional Learning Communities and School Leaders on Veteran Teachers Assigned to New Grade Levels Or Subject Areas written by Joy C. Kitchens and published by . This book was released on 2011 with total page 124 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The purpose of this mixed methods study was to explore the effects of professional learning communities on veteran teachers with three or more years of experience assigned to new grade levels or subject areas and the implications for school leaders. The specific research questions that framed the study were: (1) What do veteran teachers assigned to new grade levels or subject areas perceive to be the impact of professional learning communities on their change process? and (2) What role do school leaders play in supporting veteran teachers assigned to new grade levels or subject areas during the change process? During the first quantitative phase, the investigation analyzed veteran teacher perceptions of their schools using Southwest Educational Development Laboratory's School Professional Staff as Learning Community Questionnaire (SPSLCQ), developed by Dr. Shirley Hord. Veteran teachers, all members of PLCs, were surveyed from elementary, middle, and high school levels of a mid-sized Georgia school district, using descriptive statistical analysis. During the second qualitative phase, veteran teachers were interviewed to obtain more in-depth information regarding their professional learning and the role school leaders played in supporting their change process. Open coding revealed recurring themes and confirmed the quantitative results of the study. Veteran teachers perceived their professional learning communities to impact their change process by providing opportunities for collaboration, shared personal practice, and supportive conditions. Veteran teachers also perceived their school leaders to support their change process by encouraging open communication, creating a culture of learning, and empowering them to make decisions.

Download or read book Demystifying Professional Learning Communities written by Kristine Kiefer Hipp and published by R&L Education. This book was released on 2010-02-16 with total page 176 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The purpose of this book is to clearly define an approach to school improvement that uses professional learning community (PLC) practices to achieve school improvement and success for every student. This book offers information, examples and case studies to clarify the concept of a PLC, to respond to critical issues in schools, and to support educational leaders in addressing the important mandates of accountability and school improvement. As school leaders proactively lead efforts to create learning communities, their schools, districts, and staff will incorporate knowledge, skills, and practices that focus on teaching and learning for all. The authors' findings will assist leaders, change agents, policy makers, and university faculty in guiding schools toward creating and maintaining PLCs as they sustain school improvement for student learning.

Download or read book Professional Learning Communities Impact on Science Teacher Classroom Practice in a Midwestern Urban School District written by Dan Carpenter and published by . This book was released on 2012 with total page 235 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The purpose of this reputation-based, multiple-site case study was to explore professional learning communities' impact on teacher classroom practice. The goal of this research was to describe the administrator and teachers' perceptions with respect to professional learning communities as it related to teacher practice in their school. Educators and administrators were asked what types of practices teachers took from collaborative professional learning communities and tried in their classrooms. This reputation-based, multiple-site case study was important to Nebraska educators because many school districts had implemented professional learning communities in a variety of forms in the schools. There had been little, if any, investigation on what impact professional learning communities have had on teacher practice and the extent to which that had impacted students. This study focused on the teachers' perceptions of the impact professional learning communities had on their pedagogical practice as a result of collaboration and interactions in professional learning communities. ^ This study involved three schools in one Midwestern school district. The schools and district had operated professional learning communities for 6 years. The researcher found that professional learning communities had impacted teacher practice in that teachers had changed what they do from a pedagogical standpoint, as a result of interactions and collaboration in professional learning communities. The extent to which teacher pedagogical practice had been impacted is open to judgment. The fact that teachers had positively changed their pedagogy as a result of professional learning community function, including collaboration and interactions in professional learning community groups, is not open to judgment, as that is the primary finding of this study.

Download or read book Professional Learning written by Clare M. Reich and published by . This book was released on 2015 with total page 116 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The purpose of this study was to examine teachers' perceptions of the characteristics and effectiveness of their professional learning experiences on their instructional practices. Data were collected from 41 elementary and secondary teachers in one south central Pennsylvania school district. The participants had experienced traditional professional development as well as been trained in the protocols and utilization of collaborative practices for professional learning communities. This qualitative research study utilized an online survey incorporating Likert-scale statements, open-ended response questions and six face-to-face interviews to ascertain: (1) the degree to which teachers perceive prior professional learning experiences as impactful on their instructional practices; (2) the characteristics of those professional learning experiences that have the most impact on teachers' instructional practices. The findings from this research study revealed that the effectiveness of professional learning experiences is as varied as the individual. Data revealed that participants were nearly equally divided on the effectiveness of professional learning experiences modifying their instructional practices. Response data supported that professional learning experiences which incorporate adult learning characteristics such as teachers' ability to choose the subject of the professional learning experience and the provision of adequate time to collaborate with colleagues were perceived to be more effective and produce the greatest impact on teachers' instructional practice.

Download or read book The Differences Between Principal and Teacher Perceptions of Professional Learning Communities in California Schools written by Michael Brown and published by . This book was released on 2018 with total page 81 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Effective Professional Learning Communities are one tool schools utilize to ensure that student achievement improvement is prioritized. Professional Learning Communities help educators increase their professional knowledge and minimize conflict amongst colleagues. Additionally, teachers who regularly participate in a Professional Learning Community have students who reach higher achievement benchmarks than the students of their non-participating peers. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a statistically significant difference existed between principal perceptions and teacher perceptions of Professional Learning Communities as measured by the Professional Learning Communities Assessment—Revised. A sample of 49 principals and 53 teachers from 49 schools in California participated in the study. A series of independent t-tests were utilized to test three null hypotheses to determine if any differences in perception were evident and if participant gender had any impact on the results. It was discovered that no statistically significant perception differences existed between male principals and female principals, male teachers and female teachers, and principals and teachers, regardless of gender identity or educational role. It was concluded that principals and teachers mirror perceptions of their Professional Learning Community, regardless of gender identity. Conducting similar studies in varied geographical locations with demographic diversity and larger sample sizes is recommended to increase the breadth of knowledge of Professional Learning Communities.