Educational Sciences


Impact of professional learning communities on teaching practice and student learning: A Review

Article Number: JKT353897 Volume 01 | Issue 01 | January - 2019 ISSN: UA
04th Sep, 2018
10th Oct, 2018
05th Dec, 2018
09th Jan, 2019

Authors

Rajiv Sinha

Abstract

Researchers and professionals cited the Professional Learning Community (PLC) because of its capability to impact student achievement in a positive manner. It is recommended to foster collaboration of PLC and make teacher practice public for improving the features of teaching and learning in this current scenario of high risk of accountability. In this review paper, 10 American and one English studies were observed for finding the effect of PLCs on the practice of teaching and student learning after analyzing the professional learning communities’ characteristcis. It is suggested by the result that on both teaching rehearsal and student learning the well developed PLCs makes a positive impact. It is also included to implicate the research and proposals for the further research in the documentation of the effect of PLC on teaching and learning. Keywords: Communities of practice, Teacher collaboration, Professional Learning Communities, Professional Development

Introduction

There are example of shift gathering momentum in professional development of teachers since last 20 years. The difficulties of teaching and learning generate the environment of increasing accountability which helps to restruct the professional development that would support the achievement like new knowledge and skills for teachers. Professional development necessitates to aid the teachers rethinking which includes dual capacity in the teacher of both teaching and learning and also includes creation of new visions of what, when and how, it is suggested by the Darling Hammond and McLaughlin. The fundamental changes are required in Institutinal structures for governing the schooling according to the most current model of professional development. There are many articles that praise the virtues of teaching communities in current professional developmental litrearture as an important factor to organize schools but recently it has been moved for the examination of changes that occurred in the practice of teacher and learning of students as a result of PLCs. While, it is both valid and valuable perceptions of teacher about the value of PLCs but it is crucial in this scenario of unusual resources and accountability to understand the results of these activities related to teaching rehearsal and student learning. Firstly, the chracteristics of PLCs are showed and then the development of the examination of recent literature is done which connects two basic questions that are as:

1. The participation in PLC gives the outcomes as, teaching practices changes in which ways and these changes are supported by what aspects of the PLCs?

2. Does the assumptions that student learning increases along with the participation of the teacher in PLC are supported by the literature and the increased student learning are supported by what aspects? (Vescio, Ross and Adams, 2008)

References

Buysse, V., Sparkman, K. L., & Wesley, P. W. (2003). Communities of practice: Connecting what we know with what we do. Exceptional Children, 69(3), 263–277.

Dunne, F. Nave, B., & Lewis, A. (2000). Critical friends groups: Teachers helping teachers to improve student learning. [Electronic version]. Phi Delta Kappan, 28.

Hairon, Salleh, et al. “A Research Agenda for Professional Learning Communities: Moving Forward.” Professional Development in Education, vol. 43, no. 1, 2015, pp. 72–86.

Lee, Daphnee, and Wing on Lee. “A Professional Learning Community for the New Teacher Professionalism: The Case of a State-Led Initiative in Singapore Schools.” British Journal of Educational Studies, vol. 61, no. 4, 2013, pp. 435–451.

Ratts, Rebecca F., et al. “The Influence of Professional Learning Communities on Student Achievement in Elementary Schools.” Journal of Education & Social Policy, vol. 2, no. 4, Oct. 2015, pp. 51–61.

Stoll, Louise, et al. “Professional Learning Communities: A Review of the Literature.” Journal of Educational Change, vol. 7, 2006, pp. 221–258.

Thompson, S. C., Gregg, L., & Niska, J. M. (2004). Professional learning communities, leadership, and student learning. Research in Middle Level Education Online, 28(1), 35, 20.

Usun, Salih. “Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) in Teacher Education (ITE) Programs in the World and Turkey.” Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, vol. 1, no. 1, 2009, pp. 331–334.

Vescio, Vicki, et al. “A Review of Research on the Impact of Professional Learning Communities on Teaching Practice and Student Learning.” Teaching and Teacher Education, vol. 24, no. 1, 2008, pp. 80–91.

Zhang, Jia, et al. “What Impedes the Development of Professional Learning Communities in China? Perceptions from Leaders and Frontline Teachers in Three Schools in Shanghai.” Educational Management Administration & Leadership, vol. 45, no. 2, Aug. 2016, pp. 219–237.

How to cite this article?

APA StyleSinha, R. (2019). Teachning Practice and Student Learning affected by Professional Learning Communities: A Review. Academic Journal of Educational Sciences, 1(1), 1-4.
Chicago Style
MLA Style
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