Professional Learning Communities

Catalog description

In this class students will examine and explore the strategies to implement Professional Learning Communities in their respective districts and/or schools. Students will study and apply the elements of a professional learning community (PLC) as they relate to and effect student learning and increased student achievement. Participants will be engaged in research, evaluation and the design of: 1) framework to meet the diverse needs of students, 2) a positive climate of culture and learning for all students and staff, 3) integration of instructional technology to increase student engagement for students, and 4) current best practices in curriculum, instruction, and assessment. As they progress through course activities, students will create an action plan for the development of a professional community in a school of their choice. Permission of department required. Typically offered Fall Spring. Course Learning Outcomes 1. Describe and evaluate the strengths and weakness of core PLC concepts and their practical applications. 2. Develop and describe strategies for leading a group of teachers through the process of foundational work in implementing a PLC. 3. Develop and describe strategies to sustain the change process after training ends, through use of embedded PLC practices. 4. Decribe and apply the critical elements of PLCs as presented by DuFour and Eaker. 5. Develop and implement an action research project designed to gather and analyze data related to student learning, student engagement, and student achievement in a particular subject/grade level in a school of their choosing. 6. The research project results will be used to create a PLC plan for a school that has as its goal to foster improvement of student learning at a subject/level in that school. View Class Schedule