Teachers Perceptions Of The Professional Learning Community As A Model Of Professional Development

Teachers Perceptions Of The Professional Learning Community As A Model Of Professional Development PDF Author: Chanie A. Peterson
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 185

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Book Description
The Professional Learning Community (PLC) has increasingly gained worldwide acceptance as a research- based approach to professional development for educators. Benefits of the PLC are touted by many researchers who also identify the challenges to authentic implementation of the PLC model. This action research explored teachers' perceptions of the Professional Learning Community. Data sources for this research included an anonymous online survey, in-depth one-on-one interviews and a focus group. Study participants were elementary school teachers of grades five through eight who participated in horizontal professional learning communities for at least one year. Research questions providing the framework for this study were (1) To what extent do teachers think professional learning communities have impacted classroom instruction? (2) What do teachers perceive to be the greatest challenges to effective implementation of professional learning communities? and (3) What do teachers perceive to be the greatest benefits of professional learning communities? Data from these multiple sources indicate that teachers believe that the professional learning community is a viable method of professional development that produces sustainable and positive results for teachers and students. Teachers participating in this study identified numerous benefits of the professional learning community, the most significant being collaboration and knowledge-sharing. Participants believe that the work they do in professional learning communities has impacted classroom instruction and the culture of the school. Challenges to implementation of professional learning communities stem from scheduling issues and time conflicts. Other key themes emerged from the data. For example, teachers believe that they have improved as teachers and consequently, student achievement has improved as a result of PLCs. Teachers working in PLCs share a collective responsibility for pupil learning. Teachers also believe that a school should implement and maintain both vertical and horizontal PLCs. Teachers reported that PLCs fostered better relationships between teachers and administrators and that leadership at the building level impacts the fidelity of a PLC. One other important theme is that relationship building and trust are essential components of a highly functional professional learning community.

Teachers Perceptions Of The Professional Learning Community As A Model Of Professional Development

Teachers Perceptions Of The Professional Learning Community As A Model Of Professional Development PDF Author: Chanie A. Peterson
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 185

Get Book Here

Book Description
The Professional Learning Community (PLC) has increasingly gained worldwide acceptance as a research- based approach to professional development for educators. Benefits of the PLC are touted by many researchers who also identify the challenges to authentic implementation of the PLC model. This action research explored teachers' perceptions of the Professional Learning Community. Data sources for this research included an anonymous online survey, in-depth one-on-one interviews and a focus group. Study participants were elementary school teachers of grades five through eight who participated in horizontal professional learning communities for at least one year. Research questions providing the framework for this study were (1) To what extent do teachers think professional learning communities have impacted classroom instruction? (2) What do teachers perceive to be the greatest challenges to effective implementation of professional learning communities? and (3) What do teachers perceive to be the greatest benefits of professional learning communities? Data from these multiple sources indicate that teachers believe that the professional learning community is a viable method of professional development that produces sustainable and positive results for teachers and students. Teachers participating in this study identified numerous benefits of the professional learning community, the most significant being collaboration and knowledge-sharing. Participants believe that the work they do in professional learning communities has impacted classroom instruction and the culture of the school. Challenges to implementation of professional learning communities stem from scheduling issues and time conflicts. Other key themes emerged from the data. For example, teachers believe that they have improved as teachers and consequently, student achievement has improved as a result of PLCs. Teachers working in PLCs share a collective responsibility for pupil learning. Teachers also believe that a school should implement and maintain both vertical and horizontal PLCs. Teachers reported that PLCs fostered better relationships between teachers and administrators and that leadership at the building level impacts the fidelity of a PLC. One other important theme is that relationship building and trust are essential components of a highly functional professional learning community.

Teacher Educators' Professional Learning in Communities

Teacher Educators' Professional Learning in Communities PDF Author: Linor Hadar
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
ISBN: 1317292510
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 190

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Book Description
Teacher Educators’ Professional Learning in Communities explores teacher educators' professional development in the communal model of learning. Learning in groups has proved to be a major avenue for supporting such development and change among teachers and other professions, but one which has received sparse attention with regards to teacher educators’ development. This book aims to examine such communities in order to identify factors that promote or hinder professional learning for teacher educators. Blending research on communal learning with seven years of practical experience in these contexts, the authors present their analysis of the communal professional development process and provide a conceptual basis for understanding this type of professional learning for teacher educators. The book addresses organizational aspects of teacher educators’ learning in communities, such as creating a safe environment, group reflection, feedback and discussion about student learning. Personal professional learning aspects are also explored, including the reduction of personal isolation, the process of transition towards change, and withdrawal from the goals of the community. Finally, influences and implications for professional learning among teacher educators are discussed. Teacher educators stand at the crux of the entire educational enterprise, because of their responsibility in training the next generation of teachers. As such, their professional development is increasingly important in promoting and advancing educational practice. Integrating current literature with pictures of practice about the use of the communal model in professional development in educational settings, it will be of key interest to researchers and postgraduate students in several fields: professional development, teacher educators, and communities of learners. Practitioners who are involved with the professional development of teacher educators will also find this book extremely useful.

A Study of Teachers' Perceptions of Participating in Professional Learning Communities and the Relationships Between General and Special Education Teachers

A Study of Teachers' Perceptions of Participating in Professional Learning Communities and the Relationships Between General and Special Education Teachers PDF Author: Susan Cornwell Robbins
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Professional learning communities
Languages : en
Pages : 144

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Book Description
"The purpose of this study was to explore perceptions of teachers who participated in professional learning communities, and the relationship of that participation to collaboration and co-teaching. Semi-structured interviews were employed to understand the perceptions of high school teachers who actively participated in PLCs with the goal of understanding how relationships developed in the course of that participation. The conceptual framework for the study combined three known models of school reform: professional learning communities, collaboration, and the co-teaching model of service delivery for students with disabilities. The sample of participants included special educators and general educators from four Title 1 high schools in a large Southeastern school district. Data were collected from each participant via pre-interview surveys and one-on-one private interviews. Coding of transcribed interviews was conducted by matching participants' comments and phrases to themes related to learning communities, collaboration, and co-teaching. Thematic matrices were constructed to identify associations between learning community elements and collaborative and co-teaching relationships. As a result of these analyses, six major themes were identified. These themes are discussed including their implications for future practice and research."--Abstract from author supplied metadata.

Professional Learning Communities

Professional Learning Communities PDF Author: Louise Stoll
Publisher: McGraw-Hill Education (UK)
ISBN: 0335230253
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 232

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Book Description
“All who are interested and concerned about educational reform and the improvement of schools will find this book a must read. It stimulates, it challenges, and it informs, such that the reader is most surely enriched by its plenitude.” Dr Shirley Hord, Scholar Emerita “At last we have a book of international cases to add to the literature on networks! Policymakers and practitioners alike will find the reasons why networks are fast becoming the reform organizations of choice. The book elevates network understanding to a new level.” Ann Lieberman, Senior Scholar at the Carnegie Foundationfor the Advancement of Teaching What is a professional learning community? What are the key challenges facing these communities and how might they be resolved? Is it time to extend our thinking about professional learning communities? There is great interest internationally in the potential of professional learning communities for enhancing educational reform efforts and sustaining improvement. This international collection expands perceptions and understanding of professional learning communities, as well as highlighting frequently neglected complexities and challenges. Drawing on research, each chapter offers a deeper understanding of topics such as distributed leadership, dialogue, organisational memory, trust, self-assessment and inquiry, and purpose linked to learning. The last section of the book focuses upon three of the most challenging dilemmas that face developing professional learning communities - developing professional learning communities in secondary school, building social capital, and sustaining professional learning communities. The authors provide pointers on why these challenges exist, offering rays of hope for ways forward. Professional Learning Communities is key international reading for education professionals, school practitioners, policymakers, academics and research students. It is a must-read for anyone interested in building capacity for sustainable learning and the ability to harness your community as a resource for change.

Schools as Professional Learning Communities

Schools as Professional Learning Communities PDF Author: Sylvia M. Roberts
Publisher: Corwin Press
ISBN: 1412968941
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 273

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Book Description
Build a community in your school and improve learning outcomes with this one-stop sourcebook that features the latest educational issues, new research-based strategies and activities, and more!

An Examination of the Perceptions Leading to the Sustainability of Professional Learning Communities in a Rural School District

An Examination of the Perceptions Leading to the Sustainability of Professional Learning Communities in a Rural School District PDF Author: Mildred T. Bankhead-Smith
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Educational leadership
Languages : en
Pages : 238

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Book Description
Principals and teacher leaders are expected to provide many learning opportunities for the colleagues with which they work and for the students they teach. The model employed to empower teachers to grow in the education profession and improve collaboration among colleagues and facilitate collegial conversation is the Professional Learning Community (PLC). The PLC model is exercised in many schools throughout the United States. As schools employee the PLC model, levels of leadership change, and teachers may or may not grow professionally. Though schools attempt to implement positive change, the sustainability of professional development can be in jeopardy. -- This non-experimental, quantitative study is designed to investigate principals', assistant principals', and teachers' perceptions of PLCs as opportunities for sustainable, effective professional growth within the district. The study applies the use of PLC Assessment-Revised (PLCA-R) online survey. The PLCA-R (Oliver, Hipp, & Huffman, 2008) was utilized to determine perception and sustainability of PLCs.

Teacher Development

Teacher Development PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description


Differentiated Professional Development in a Professional Learning Community

Differentiated Professional Development in a Professional Learning Community PDF Author: Linda Bowgren
Publisher: Solution Tree
ISBN: 9781934009611
Category : Professional learning communities
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Schools and districts that function as professional learning communities (PLCs) have a keen understanding of the connection between professional development and student learning. So, if differentiated instruction is known to be essential for student learning, why not apply it to teacher learning? The authors suggest that one-size-fits-all professional development cannot provide success for all. Just as classroom teachers are challenged to meet the needs of the diverse learning styles of their students, professional development specialists need to incorporate learning styles into their work with adult learners. This book explores the idea that PLCs often overlook this one crucial element to professional development. The authors' firsthand experience supports how differentiated teacher learning increases the chances of improving practice, which ultimately sustains the development of the PLC.

Real World Professional Learning Communities

Real World Professional Learning Communities PDF Author: Daisy Arredondo Rucinski
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN: 1475822820
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 229

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Book Description
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.

An Investigation Of Teacher Efficacy: Understandings, Practices, And The Impact Of Professional Development As Perceived By Elementary School Teachers

An Investigation Of Teacher Efficacy: Understandings, Practices, And The Impact Of Professional Development As Perceived By Elementary School Teachers PDF Author: Arnold Jeffrey White
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 202

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Book Description
The Professional Learning Community (PLC) has increasingly gained worldwide acceptance as a research- based approach to professional development for educators. Benefits of the PLC are touted by many researchers who also identify the challenges to authentic implementation of the PLC model. This action research explored teachers' perceptions of the Professional Learning Community. Data sources for this research included an anonymous online survey, in-depth one-on-one interviews and a focus group. Study participants were elementary school teachers of grades five through eight who participated in horizontal professional learning communities for at least one year. Research questions providing the framework for this study were (1) To what extent do teachers think professional learning communities have impacted classroom instruction? (2) What do teachers perceive to be the greatest challenges to effective implementation of professional learning communities? and (3) What do teachers perceive to be the greatest benefits of professional learning communities? Data from these multiple sources indicate that teachers believe that the professional learning community is a viable method of professional development that produces sustainable and positive results for teachers and students. Teachers participating in this study identified numerous benefits of the professional learning community, the most significant being collaboration and knowledge-sharing. Participants believe that the work they do in professional learning communities has impacted classroom instruction and the culture of the school. Challenges to implementation of professional learning communities stem from scheduling issues and time conflicts. Other key themes emerged from the data. For example, teachers believe that they have improved as teachers and consequently, student achievement has improved as a result of PLCs. Teachers working in PLCs share a collective responsibility for pupil learning. Teachers also believe that a school should implement and maintain both vertical and horizontal PLCs. Teachers reported that PLCs fostered better relationships between teachers and administrators and that leadership at the building level impacts the fidelity of a PLC. One other important theme is that relationship building and trust are essential components of a highly functional professional learning community.