/pdf/toward-the-identification-of-features-of-effective-15xuvao9c1.pdf

Toward the Identification of Features of Effective Professional Development for Early Childhood Educators. Literature Review.

The importance of job resources and self-efficacy for beginning teachers' professional learning in differentiated instruction

We propose a practice-based focus for professional learning communities in schools. We start with a brief historical review of the approaches that have deemed peer collaboration as crucial for school improvement and explore how teachers’ practices have been characterised in past reform initiatives. Second, we highlight the importance of teacher agency within professional learning communities. Third, we point out how a theory of situated cognition provides a robust epistemological framework for professional learning communities. Finally, we argue that a situated account of teachers’ agency and professional learning will improve our understanding of peer collaboration initiatives and educational reform in general.

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A situated account of teacher agency and learning: Critical reflections on Professional Learning Communities

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore supportive and shared leadership structures at schools as a function of school culture policies and procedures. Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative study was conducted at three secondary schools in the Midwestern USA. Administrators and teachers were interviewed, professional learning communities observed and artifacts collected to explore school culture policies, procedures and leadership in the implementation of professional learning community practice. Findings – This study concludes that school leaders must provide supportive and shared leadership structures for teachers in order to ensure a positive school culture and effective professional learning communities that impact school improvement. Leaders in schools must work directly with teachers to create policies and procedures that provide teachers the leadership structure to directly impact school improvement through professional learning community collaborative efforts. Originality/value – T...

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School Culture and Leadership of Professional Learning Communities.

Research suggests effective professional learning communities (PLCs) enhance teacher collaboration and student achievement. Some studies indicate that these communities also predict greater collect...

Understanding the link between professional learning communities and teacher collective efficacy

The guide can be used by individuals, small groups, or an entire faculty to identify key points, raise questions for consideration, and identify steps that might be taken to promote the professional learning community (PLC) concept in a school or school district. The guide is arranged by chapters, enabling readers to either work their way through the entire book or focus on the specific topic that is addressed in a particular chapter. We believe this guide will prove to be a valuable asset for a school or school district that has undertaken the journey to becoming a PLC.

Peter Turrini

Papers

Revisiting Professional Learning Communities at Work: New Insights for Improving Schools