{"content":{"sharePage":{"page":0,"digests":[{"id":"16634261","dateCreated":"1257807580","smartDate":"Nov 9, 2009","userCreated":{"username":"andrewpt","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/andrewpt","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1256789756\/andrewpt-lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/varsity-development.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/16634261"},"dateDigested":1532287600,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"Professional Learning Teams","description":"Professional Learning Teams<br \/>\n<br \/>\nKEY POINTS<br \/>\n<br \/>\nProfessional learning teams (PLT\u2019s) are an effective means of developing a culture of collaboration and collective responsibility in schools. In professional learning teams teachers take responsibility collectively for improving instructional practices to achieve gains in learning for all their students.<br \/>\nEffective teams use research-based information to develop teaching strategies matched to the learning styles of their students. Teams regularly collect and analyse data at the student, teacher and school levels to evaluate the impact of their work. They meet regularly for an extended period of time so they have the opportunity to learn, reflect, refine and re-apply their learnings.<br \/>\n<br \/>\nThe following models can be used to help teachers analyse and reflect on the impact of their practice and generate ideas for improvement.<br \/>\n\u2022    Action research is a strategy for learning more about the teaching and learning process. Teachers decide what questions are important to examine. It involves teachers selecting a focus, collecting, analysing and interpreting data and then taking action.<br \/>\n\u2022    Examination of student work. Within this model, teams first identify a clear focus for their work and what outcomes they expect. The most fruitful discussions result from using examples of student work that are varied in nature and quality. An example would be written work from several students in relation to the same assignment that includes students' explanations of their thinking. The team then reflects on the implications of what is learned for teaching.<br \/>\n\u2022    Study groups engage in regular collaborative interactions around topics identified by the group. Groups can also read and discuss educational research publications in a collaborative and supportive environment, over an extended period of time. The study group model can include the entire staff of a school in finding solutions to common problems.<br \/>\n\u2022    Case discussions provide teams of teachers with the opportunity to reflect on teaching and learning by examining narrative stories or videotapes depicting school, classroom, teaching or learning situations or dilemmas. They are usually brief, rough-and-ready evidence of what students have done, said or written in class.<br \/>\n\u2022    Peer observation. One of the most effective ways to learn is by observing others, or being observed and receiving specific feedback from that observation. The most effective observations are well planned, focused on specific issues and with follow-up to document improvements.<br \/>\n<br \/>\n<br \/>\nREQUIREMENTS FOR SUCCESS<br \/>\n<br \/>\n\u2022    With all PLT models a spirit of wanting to learn, collaboration and consistent engagement must be apparent<br \/>\n\u2022    All PLT participants should complete any agreed tasks or reading prior to each PLT gathering<br \/>\n\u2022    A willingness to be open about individual teaching practice and experiences<br \/>\n\u2022    An agreed protocol for the operation of the PLT<br \/>\n<br \/>\nPOTENTIAL INHIBITORS<br \/>\n<br \/>\n\u2022    Breaking of trust within a PLT<br \/>\n\u2022    Inconsistent attendance can impact on team development","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[{"id":"16656947","body":"What is meant by 'Breaking of trust within a PLT'?","dateCreated":"1257851653","smartDate":"Nov 10, 2009","userCreated":{"username":"mbuzo1","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/mbuzo1","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1257851012\/mbuzo1-lg.jpg"}}],"more":0}]}],"more":false},"comments":[]},"http":{"code":200,"status":"OK"},"redirectUrl":null,"javascript":null,"notices":{"warning":[],"error":[],"info":[],"success":[]}}