Download or read book The Teacher s Guide to Successful Professional Learning Networks Overcoming Challenges and Improving Student Outcomes written by Cindy Poortman and published by McGraw-Hill Education (UK). This book was released on 2023-04-18 with total page 105 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: “The establishment of professional learning networks can be transformational for you personally and professionally. This book takes you step by step through the process of developing an effective Professional Learning Network (PLN) to create and realise a new status quo!” Catherine Carden, Canterbury Christ Church University, UK “The book impressively underscores the relevance and opportunities of Professional Learning Networks for innovation in school, while also addressing the challenges and pitfalls of successfully establishing, running and sustaining PLNs from the perspective of teachers.” Colin Cramer, University of Tuebingen, Germany “This book is a must read for practitioners, policy makers and researchers interested in Professional Learning Networks! [It] provides readers with concrete recipes with all the necessary ingredients, including leadership, trust and collaboration, to ensure PLN success.” Prof. Dr. Kim Schildkamp, University of Twente, the Netherlands The Teacher’s Guide to Successful Professional Learning Networks supports educators with practical guidelines developed from the authors’ practical and research-based experience in this area. Taking a step-by-step approach, the book guides readers through the different stages of inquiry and influencing factors involved with successfully running a PLN. The authors explore how teachers can participate in networks to achieve deep reflective inquiry and make positive changes in teaching and learning. The book: -Builds on international research into professional learning networks (PLNs) -Uses illustrative case studies from a range of contexts across the world -Provides step-by-step guidance to help readers establish sustainable PLNs Drawing from a diverse range of international contexts and with content stretching from early years to secondary, this book is essential reading for any educator looking to create, expand or enhance their Professional Learning Network. Cindy Poortman is Associate Professor at the University of Twente in the Netherlands. Her research and teaching focus is teacher and school leader professional development in PLNs. She has co-founded and is coordinating the PLN network within the International Congress for School Effectiveness and Improvement (ICSEI). Chris Brown is Professor and Director of Research at the Department of Education Studies at the University of Warwick, UK. He has co-edited two books on Professional Learning Networks, is co-editor of the Professional Learning Networks Book Series, and is co-founder and co-convener of the ICSEI Professional Learning Networks research network.

Download or read book Networks for Learning written by Chris Brown and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2018-01-02 with total page 286 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Educational researchers, policy-makers and practitioners are increasingly focusing their attention on Professional Learning Networks in order to facilitate teacher development and encourage school and school system improvement. However, despite the understanding that PLNs can contribute significantly to improving teaching practice and student achievement, there are key challenges regarding their use. These challenges include: ensuring PLNs can provide opportunities for generating and sharing knowledge within schools enabling teachers and professionals to direct their own development helping individuals change their practices through inquiry-led approaches facilitating partnerships which work across a variety of stakeholders In this new edited volume, Brown and Poortman evaluate these challenges from both a theoretical and practical approach. A multitude of perspectives from a team of international contributors covers: the importance of Professional Learning Networks the use of evidence within PLNs the impact of inter-school networks international cases of networks and communities the promotion and sustainability of PLNs Also featuring case studies and exemplars to contextualise sustainable learning networks, Networks For Learning is an accessible and thoroughly-researched book, which will be essential reading and a valuable resource for researchers, teachers and school leaders who are interested in developing professional learning networks.

Download or read book Educational Research and Innovation Who Really Cares about Using Education Research in Policy and Practice Developing a Culture of Research Engagement written by OECD and published by OECD Publishing. This book was released on 2023-07-28 with total page 262 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In today's dynamic and rapidly evolving world, evidence-informed decision-making has emerged as a cornerstone in guiding effective education policy and practice. In particular, creating a culture of research engagement is often highlighted as a key ingredient to strengthening the impact of research. However, it is not always clear how that works in practice.

Download or read book The New Teacher s Guide to Overcoming Common Challenges written by Anna M. Quinzio-Zafran and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2020-10-29 with total page 218 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This practical, hands-on guidebook offers support for your first years in the classroom by presenting strategies to overcome ten common challenges. Expertly curated by experienced educators, this book delivers quick access to timely advice, applicable across a range of educational settings. With contributions from National Board-Certified Teachers, National Teachers of the Year, and other educators involved in robust induction and mentoring programs, The New Teacher’s Guide to Overcoming Common Challenges provides: Wise and practical tips from accomplished veterans and successful new teachers from across rural, suburban, and urban settings; Web access to an online teacher community and customizable resources created by the book’s authors that can be quickly downloaded for immediate use in the classroom; Newly commissioned material that addresses the shift to remote learning brought about by the world pandemic. Accessible and stimulating, this book is designed for a wide range of users, including PK-12 school districts who offer new teacher induction programming, traditional and alternative teacher preparation programs and teacher cadet programs, and individual in-service teachers. Don’t face the challenges alone—learn from those who have been there!

Download or read book Designing and Implementing Effective Professional Learning written by John Murray and published by Corwin Press. This book was released on 2013-09-10 with total page 256 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: For sustained success, educators must commit to their own lifelong improvement. Commitment to high-quality professional learning is a common aspect of educational systems of the the world’s highest-achieving nations. Despite evidence that effective professional learning can be a powerful lever for school improvement, much of the professional development (PD) that is conducted in the United States has had limited impact on teacher practice... In these pages, John Murray identifies research-based characteristics of effective teacher professional learning, detailing eight strategies for planning and executing professional development programs and evaluating their results. Content includes: The proven "backward" approach to articulating the goals of your PD program Descriptions of innovative and effective designs for professional learning such as Lesson Study and Instructional Rounds Powerful approaches to designing and implementing online PD Packed with templates that make getting started easy, this all-in-one resource will facilitate deep professional learning that truly enhances student achievement. "This book is one that any teacher or administrator who is involved with leading professional learning and continuous improvement—new to the field or with great experience—would find great value in." — Jeff Ronneberg, Superintendent Spring Lake Park Schools, MN "This is a critical resource that should be on every education leader’s bookshelf. You will be challenged to find another book with so much helpful information on so many important professional development strategies that you can get started on immediately to facilitate real change in your school." — John D. Ross, Educational Consultant Pulaski, VA

Download or read book Reach the Highest Standard in Professional Learning Learning Communities written by Shirley M. Hord and published by Corwin Press. This book was released on 2013-11-20 with total page 128 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: When teachers learn from each other, students reap the benefits. The first in a series exploring each of Learning Forward’s seven Standards for Professional Learning, this book helps readers understand what it takes to establish and maintain professional learning communities (PLCs) so they increase educator effectiveness and provide the best outcomes for students. This definitive volume details how the Learning Forward standards for professional learning can be applied successfully in any school, and includes: An original essay designed to stretch readers’ thinking by introducing the underlying theory, research, and practice behind learning communities A guide to implementing the Learning Communities standard, with an overview of six critical attributes of PLCs and the seven-step cycle of continuous improvement A case study of the district-wide implementation of PLCs, containing detailed analysis of what worked.

Download or read book Guiding Professional Learning Communities written by Shirley M. Hord and published by Corwin Press. This book was released on 2010 with total page 241 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This research-based sequel to Leading Professional Learning Communities focuses on the practical process of implementing, improving, and sustaining PLCs. Appropriate for groups at all stages of PLC development, this field book helps educators improve PLC operations by facilitating individual and group development and growth. The authors provide learning opportunities that generate conversations about adult learning and contribute to supportive conditions that strengthen teacher quality and raise student outcomes.

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: "Hord is the originator of the triple-headed concept of professional learning communities. Sommers is an experienced administrator and past president of the National Staff Development Council. With the authors′ extensive backgrounds in educational evaluation and the implementation of school change and development, they are uniquely equipped to delineate and defend a particular vision of professional learning communities that has educational depth, professional richness, and moral integrity." —From the Foreword by Andy Hargreaves "The most important volume available to help principals undertake the challenging yet exhilarating work of building true communities of professional learning." —Joseph Murphy, Professor Vanderbilt University "The book does not gloss over the challenges that leaders will encounter. The authors draw upon rich research evidence and personal experiences and offer many practical, proven change strategies. This is a valuable resource for any educational leader who wishes to become a ′head learner.′" —Arthur L. Costa, Professor Emeritus California State University, Sacramento "Hord and Sommers create a powerful bridge between the research base on PLCs and practitioner knowledge and action. The book′s dual focus on principles and ′rocks in the road′ provide a grounded basis for school leaders. A dog-eared copy should be in every principal′s office and in every professional developer′s tool kit." —Karen Seashore Louis, Rodney S. Wallace Professor University of Minnesota, Minneapolis "The authors′ rationale and suggestions will resonate because they come from experience and great insight. The bottom line remains steadfast for these two distinguished educators: you implement a PLC so that teachers learn and students achieve. This text will help educators reach toward that compelling vision." —Stephanie Hirsh, Executive Director National Staff Development Council Imagine all professionals in all schools engaged in continuous professional learning! Current research shows a strong positive relationship between successful professional learning communities and increased student achievement. In this practical and reader-friendly guide, 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 development of an effective professional learning community (PLC). This book provides school leaders with readily accessible information to guide them in developing a PLC that supports teachers and students. The authors cover building a vision for a PLC, implementing structures, creating policies and procedures, and developing the leadership skills required for initiating and sustaining a learning community. Each chapter includes meaningful quotes from the field, "rocks in the road" and ways to overcome them, examples from real PLCs, and learning activities to reinforce chapter content. 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 Discover how you can grow a vital community of professionals who work together to increase their effectiveness and strengthen the relationship between professional learning and student learning.

Download or read book Teachers Caught in the Action written by Ann Lieberman and published by Teachers College Press. This book was released on 2001-04-27 with total page 280 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Because what we do in staff development can best be understood in terms of Contexts, Strategies, and Structures, the remainder of the book features distinguished educators who write from their own unique experiential and theoretical stances. Jacqueline Ancess describes how teachers in New York City secondary schools increase their own learning while improving student outcomes • Milbrey W. McLaughlin and Joel Zarrow demonstrate how teachers learn to use data to improve their practice and meet educational standards • Lynne Miller presents a case study of a long-lived school, university partnership • Beverly Falk recounts stories of teachers working together to develop performance assessments, to understand their student’s learning, to re-think their curriculum, and much more • Laura Stokes analyzes a school that successfully uses inquiry groups. There are further contributions (including some from novice teachers) by Anna Richert Ershler, Ann Lieberman, Diane Wood, Sarah Warshauer Freedman, and Joseph P. McDonald. These powerful exemplars from practice provide a much-needed overview of what matters and what really works in professional development today.

Download or read book You Don t Have to Be Bad to Get Better written by Candi B. McKay and published by Corwin Press. This book was released on 2012-12-21 with total page 153 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Take your school to the next level! What are the attributes of strong instructional leaders? How are they able to effect changes in teaching practice that has remained virtually the same for decades? This practical guide is about school leadership, but with a laser-like focus on what it takes to develop, support, and sustain quality teaching in any school environment. Grounded in research and over a decade of experience working in schools throughout the country, You Don’t Have to Be Bad to Get Better offers school leaders at every level the guidance, specific tools, and resources they need to increase teacher—and student—success. School leaders will develop: • Strategies for transitioning from a culture of fear and criticism to a culture of learning • The tools needed to hire, grow, and improve the quality of teachers under their leadership • A blueprint for engaging teachers in their own professional growth • A deep understanding of the role of district office personnel in improving both teaching and learning Research shows that the most important factor in student learning is the quality of the teacher in the classroom. Bring out the best in your teachers through strong instructional leadership and watch student learning soar! "I′m already thinking of how to incorporate what I′ve learned from the book into my practice and staff professional development!" —Frank Chiki, Principal Chamiza Elementary School, Albuquerque, NM "McKay has developed a user-friendly guide to thinking about and assessing current practice in an effort to move everyone forward. This is a valuable text for study by collaborative teacher and administrator groups who are interested in improving their professional practice." —Bernadette Cleland, Co-Founder Teaching & Learning Solutions

Download or read book The Skillful Team Leader written by Elisa MacDonald and published by Corwin Press. This book was released on 2013-03-05 with total page 209 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Get the most out of your PLCs and teacher teams! All teams face hurdles. What distinguishes the skillful team leader from a less effective one is his or her approach in overcoming them. Whether you are a team leader or a trainer of team leaders, this book is an essential resource for you. Elisa MacDonald offers a skillful approach to team leadership rooted in values, mindset, intelligence, and skill. Readers will learn from reality-based examples illustrating common team hurdles in collaboration, shared leadership, goal setting and attainment, rigorous discourse, and continuous improvement. This practical guide features: Research-based and field-tested solutions for preventing and overcoming hurdles Brief follow-up sections with tips for sustaining positive change Ways to work beyond the team to shape and influence school culture Prompts to apply learning to your own leadership hurdles A common chapter format for easy reference and flexible use "Teacher teams have become a common fixture of North American schools. However, not all teams make the best use of their meeting time by engaging in sustained, professional learning. Written in a clear, practitioner-friendly style, this book provides team leaders with an array of useful strategies to address common team hurdles and realize the promise of powerful, collaborative learning." —Jim Knight, Author of Instructional Coaching "This book is a fantastic resource for someone who leads teams every day. The vignettes echo the very real challenges that I continually see in team meetings. The book is organized so that I can easily find practical strategies to apply right away when I am facing major challenges in my daily work." — Karen Coyle Aylward, Literacy Coach and Team Leader Boston, MA

Download or read book Protocols for Professional Learning The Professional Learning Community Series written by Lois Brown Easton and published by ASCD. This book was released on 2009-05-01 with total page 113 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Protocols for Professional Learning is your guide to helping PLCs successfully explore any topic. You'll find step-by-step instructions for implementing 16 different protocols that can be used to examine student work or professional practice, address problems with students or among faculty, and facilitate effective discussions. About the PLC series: Welcome to an adventure! If you are a teacher who is interested in developing a professional learning community to develop your classroom repertoire and increase your students' achievement and motivation, you are in for a treat. A professional learning community (PLC) is a small group of teachers or administrators that meets regularly and works between meetings to accomplish shared goals. PLCs are vehicles for connecting teacher practice and student outcomes, improving both.

Download or read book Strengthening and Enriching Your Professional Learning Community written by Geoffrey Caine and published by ASCD. This book was released on 2012-05-29 with total page 219 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: How can educators create a collective method of professional development that results in the genuine, sustained teacher learning essential to improving student achievement? That question is at the heart of this comprehensive and practical guide to process learning circles, a unique and powerful way to develop, strengthen, and enrich professional learning communities. Authors Geoffrey and Renate N. Caine have dedicated more than 20 years to researching how people learn naturally. From this foundation, they describe in detail how process learning circles work, and they provide readers with a clear understanding of how powerful and successful this approach to professional learning can be. Along the way, they explore * The three critical elements of great professional development * How to create a field of listening * The logistics and phases of process learning circles * Tips for success as a process leader * The effects of individual differences and group dynamics * Principles for developing a process that works Examples from schools that have implemented process learning circles provide evidence of the method's success, and the authors also include an explanation of 12 underlying brain/mind learning principles, guidelines for using online tools, and broader suggestions for how to move from teaching for memorization to teaching for understanding. Written with both teachers and administrators in mind, Strengthening and Enriching Your Professional Learning Community: The Art of Learning Together is an essential guide to professional learning and development that works.

Download or read book The Networked School Leader written by Chris Brown and published by Emerald Group Publishing. This book was released on 2020-04-03 with total page 280 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Evidence-based and engaging, with key takeaways for practitioners in every chapter, this book addresses the existing knowledge gap about how school leaders can effectively develop, support, and sustain networks within and across schools. It is crucial reading for school leaders, system leaders and education researchers working close-to-practice.

Download or read book The Power of Teacher Networks written by Ellen Meyers and published by Corwin Press. This book was released on 2009-03-31 with total page 145 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "The Teachers Network, one of the most effective professional development organizations in education, has much to teach us. Ellen Meyers and her colleagues explain how supporting, connecting, and investing in teachers provides the best hope for our nation′s public schools. Their invaluable work, distilled to its essence in these pages, creates opportunities for teachers to work collaboratively with colleagues, to learn from one another about how to teach better, and through that professional growth to remain committed to education. The authors show us how to do it." —Linda Darling-Hammond, Charles E. Ducommun Professor of Education Stanford University "The Power of Teacher Networks provides a ringing clarion call for teacher collaboration and for grounding educational policy in the real world of the classroom and the school. Part how-to manual for building teacher networks and part chronicle of the authors′ successful work, this book sets forth a vision for the transformation of our nation′s schools through the development of teacher voices." —Randi Weingarten, President American Federation of Teachers "Essential for anyone interested in the future of public education in America. Embedded in the notion that teachers are the solution, not the problem, this book explores how teachers can create a vision, find a voice, manage a growing network, and make a difference. Surely there is nothing more important as we grapple with how best to move forward." —Bill Cirone, Superintendent Santa Barbara County Education Office, CA "When teachers network, they become a social force for the good of society and each child in their classrooms. This book is a must-read for anyone who cares about teaching and teacher development." —Mary M. Brabeck, Dean and Professor of Applied Psychology Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, New York University Foster high-quality teaching and leadership through teacher networks! When connected through inter-school networks, teachers can communicate with each other and share invaluable information and ideas across district and state boundaries, ultimately enhancing both their own effectiveness and student learning. This step-by-step guide shows you how to create, manage, and sustain a teacher network or grow an existing one, and provides an easily adaptable model developed by The Teachers Network. The book includes teacher vignettes and director and advisors′ experiences in managing a network, plus a wealth of worksheets, tools, and resources to get you started. Practical guidelines illustrate how networks can: Support new teachers, reduce teacher isolation, and increase retention rates Share the benefits of collaborative group work, including action research Enhance professional practice and nurture teacher leaders Connect teachers to the goals and ideals that drew them into education Teachers working together can not only make a significant impact on their school communities, but also strengthen the influence that teacher leaders can have in the wider arena of educational policy.

Download or read book Professional Learning Communities at Work TM written by Richard DuFour and published by Solution Tree Press. This book was released on 2009-02-01 with total page 360 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The book that launched a school improvement movement offers research-based recommendations drawn from the best practices found in schools nationwide for continuously improving school performance. Coming from the perspectives of both a distinguished dean of education and one of America’s most widely acclaimed practitioners, this resource provides specific, practical how-to information about transforming schools into results-oriented PLCs.

Download or read book Reach the Highest Standard in Professional Learning written by Karen Hawley Miles and published by Corwin Press. This book was released on 2016-02-24 with total page 75 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Secure the resources needed to support educator professional growth! 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 will learn creative strategies for prioritizing, monitoring, and coordinating the resources required for educator learning and student success. This book includes: An original essay by Karen Hawley Miles and Anna Sommers on how school systems can reconfigure people, time, technology, and money to improve and sustain educator growth Implementation strategies, practical tools, and specific examples for maximizing resources—especially time—for teacher learning A case study of how Dearborn Public Schools, Michigan, shifted existing resources to drive professional learning despite tough economic times Learn how wise management of professional learning resources can help achieve stronger outcomes for your educators and students!