PROFESSIONAL+LEARNING+COMMUNITIES

= COMMUNICATE & COLLABORATE =

The positive effects of PLC's cannot be overstated. When teachers group together to discuss, brainstorm, and develop solutions results in everyone winning. Teachers no longer feel like they are on an isolated island miles away from civilization and overwhelmed with issues. A feeling of power takes hold. Educators now have a venue to share, discuss, formulate, and sometimes vent to other like minded teachers during professional learning meetings. A clear vision often results from these collaborative sessions. Communication of student problems to other team members offers a greater chance of resolution. C. Sanders

===I am a strong supporter of collaboration. I enjoy bouncing ideas, ah ha's and concerns with other professionals. The Professional Learning Committees is a great way to do just that. Of course we still have a few teachers who are only going through the motions but most are getting into the practice of sharing. We have been through training and development for three years. Even though the focus is on reading and math I integrate both into my teaching of science. The teachers seem to appreciate support from other content areas. PLC's are vital in data driven decision making, accountability and school change. C Sanders===

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 * A simple "google" search brought me to the following wiki: media type="custom" key="7322347". This Wiki is dedicated to Professional Learning Communities and the use of Web 2.0 tools. The various pages of this wiki provide up to date information and examples of how to use the power of the wiki to promote communication and collaboration among members of PLCs. K.Landa **


 * Google Docs allows its users to collaborate on shared documents. It allows a user to publish a document to any number of people who have a google account. Amanda Morin, an eHow contributor, wrote the following article media type="custom" key="7323053". Learning to use google docs can save time and allow members of a group to collaborate from wherever they have internet access. K. Landa**

**Information and Resources**: The ASCD offers a series called Protocols for Professional Learning (The Professional Learning Community Series). Here is the overview taken from the following website:

Once you understand the rationale for a Professional Learning Community and know the steps to setting one up, you still need some really good plans for how to use your PLC to explore topics and solve problems. That’s where this handy guide comes in with 16 different protocols for facilitating PLC conversations and activities. Whether the purpose of your PLC is to examine student work, explore instructional practice, address problems, or engage your colleagues in discussion, each protocol includes everything you need to ensure results:


 * Group structures and processes that ensure deep exploration of ideas.
 * Conversation guidelines that ensure dialogue is safe and effective.
 * Facilitated steps with suggested time allotments.
 * Questions, rubrics, and tools for evaluating the effects of your PLC.
 * Tips for helping a PLC facilitator plan for and carry out a great meeting.

([]). - Christy Cole

Another useful website: http://www.sedl.org/pubs/change34/ -Christy Cole

Professional Learning Communities have become a popular team-based approach to enrich instruction, assessment, curriculum, and professional development. Through colleague collaboration, a shared vision of growth and improvement within a school environment can effectively be achieved. The following website: All Things PLC, provides applicable suggestions for PLCs. [|www.allthingsplc.info]

Another idea for collaborating between academic professionals as well as students is Podcasting Collaborative Learning Community: A website devoted to providing teachers with resources for podcasting in the classroom and a professional learning community for those interested in podcasting. []

Note works by Dr. Richard DuFour. Google his articles on PLCs: Helen Adams

= This website is a great resource for PLCs: []. = = = = In addition to the many helpful tips and ideas, it gives several specific outcomes of PLC meetings for staff and students. Those outcomes are as follows: = = = = For staff, the following results have been observed: =
 * reduction of isolation of teachers
 * increased commitment to the mission and goals of the school and increased vigor in working to strengthen the mission
 * shared responsibility for the total development of students and collective responsibility for students' success
 * powerful learning that defines good teaching and classroom practice and that creates new knowledge and beliefs about teaching and learners
 * increased meaning and understanding of the content that teachers teach and the roles they play in helping all students achieve expectations
 * higher likelihood that teachers will be well informed, professionally renewed, and inspired to inspire students
 * more satisfaction, higher morale, and lower rates of absenteeism
 * significant advances in adapting teaching to the students, accomplished more quickly than in traditional schools
 * commitment to making significant and lasting changes and
 * higher likelihood of undertaking fundamental systemic change

= For students, the results include: =
 * decreased dropout rate and fewer classes "skipped"
 * lower rates of absenteeism
 * increased learning that is distributed more equitably in the smaller high schools
 * greater academic gains in math, science, history, and reading than in traditional schools and
 * smaller achievement gaps between students from different backgrounds