Lessons Learned from Theory
I am finding this information and research on PLCs and PLTs addictive. I know I shouldn't and need to stop researching and looking at it but it has become very important to me. Have done quite a bit of work on this before but want to delve deeper and deeper into it. Really loved the presentation by Gavin Grift on PLC which was based on his book on Transformative Collaboration. For a while I have wanted to delve deeper and the presentation to the staff of the possible format for PLTs has really allowed me to explore this - while still planning units for 2017 - Ha Ha.
Anyway have been looking at an article in 1998 about a example PLC. Some really important points that this article brought up I felt was that:
- Teams need to give teachers the opportunity to develop leadership and problem solving and decision making skills by allowing them some control over the process
- The also said it was important for staff selection for a topic of study
- They then study the topic together and determine collectively in their groups or teams how to apply it
- Each group has an unwavering focus on student learning and how what they do or research impacts them
- Supportive conditions. Not only the physical aspects such as: the proximity of staff to each other; well developed communication structures; and a time and place reserved for meeting together to reflect and critique work. But personal and professional characteristics - the kind of respect and trust among colleagues that promotes collegial relationships; a willingness to accept feedback; and to work to established norms of continuous critical inquiry and improvement
- Each group has shared professional practice - this is the hard one - each teacher had experience visiting each others classroom to learn from them and to provide useful feedback. Basically 'De-privatisation of practice'. I believe this is really important and a really key first step in developing that trust and moving beyond the borders of Junior School, Middle School and Senior School.
