Creating an Online Professional

Learning CommunityStephen Best

MACUL 2009

Objectives

•Review the focus and goals of PLCs (professional learning communities) to consider elements for successful implementation

Objectives

•Review the focus and goals of PLCs (professional learning communities) to consider elements for successful implementation•Consider strategies for online PLCs by analyzing examples of such sites and what works (and doesn't work)

Objectives

•Review the focus and goals of PLCs (professional learning communities) to consider elements for successful implementation•Consider strategies for online PLCs by analyzing examples of such sites and what works (and doesn�t work)•Show tools that allow you to create your own online PLC

What is a PLC?

•Professional

What is a PLC?

•Professional •Learning

What is a PLC?

•Professional •Learning •Community

Key Qualities of a PLC

•Led by teachers with open participation

Key Qualities of a PLC

•Led by teachers with open participation•Focus is on improving practice

(and student learning)

Key Qualities of a PLC

•Led by teachers with open participation•Focus is on improving practice

(and student learning)•Convene often with a general focus/goals

Key Qualities of a PLC

•Led by teachers with open participation•Focus is on improving practice

(and student learning)•Convene often with a general focus/goals•May have a discernible outcome or product

Problems of PLCs

•Range of implementation efforts called "PLCs", but few fit the original design or definition

- Mandatory involvement - Top down decision making and structure - Skill or task focused - No ownership for participants

•Not the same as other types of PD

Problems of PLCs

•Range of implementation efforts called "PLCs", but few fit the original design or definition

- Mandatory involvement

Problems of PLCs

•Range of implementation efforts called "PLCs", but few fit the original design or definition

- Mandatory involvement - Top down decision making and structure

Problems of PLCs

•Range of implementation efforts called "PLCs", but few fit the original design or definition

- Mandatory involvement - Top down decision making and structure - Skill or task focused

Problems of PLCs

•Range of implementation efforts called "PLCs", but few fit the original design or definition

- Mandatory involvement - Top down decision making and structure - Skill or task focused - No ownership for participants

Problems of PLCs

•Range of implementation efforts called "PLCs", but few fit the original design or definition

- Mandatory involvement - Top down decision making and structure - Skill or task focused - No ownership for participants

•Not the same as other types of PD

Considerations

•Needs to be compelling for teachers to participate

Considerations

•Needs to be compelling for teachers to participate•Should have a relatively short (up to 6 months) focus or reason for being initially

Considerations

•Needs to be compelling for teachers to participate•Should have a relatively short (up to 6 months) focus or reason for being initially•Collaboration is critical - not just cooperation

Considerations

•Needs to be compelling for teachers to participate•Should have a relatively short (up to 6 months) focus or reason for being initially•Collaboration is critical - not just cooperation•Should relate to the teaching being done, not just an idea

Considerations

•Needs to be compelling for teachers to participate•Should have a relatively short (up to 6 months) focus or reason for being initially•Collaboration is critical - not just cooperation•Should relate to the teaching being done, not just an idea•Relies on trust, common goals, and shared experiences

Design of the PLC

•Mix of small and large group activities or discussion

Design of the PLC

•Mix of small and large group activities or discussion•Incorporates strategies and tools to address the goal directly and easily

Design of the PLC

•Mix of small and large group activities or discussion•Incorporates strategies and tools to address the goal directly and easily•Provides incentives to build participation (enough to make it a "habit")

Design of the PLC

•Mix of small and large group activities or discussion•Incorporates strategies and tools to address the goal directly and easily•Provides incentives to build participation (enough to make it a "habit")•Establishes norms of practice

Collaborative Tools for PLCs

•Wikis

Collaborative Tools for PLCs

•Wikis•Blogs

Collaborative Tools for PLCs

•Wikis•Blogs•Social Networks

Collaborative Tools for PLCs

•Wikis•Blogs•Social Networks•"Sharing sites"

Collaborative Tools for PLCs

•Wikis•Blogs•Social Networks•"Sharing sites"•Course Management Tools (i.e. Moodle)

Collaborative Tools for PLCs

•Wikis•Blogs•Social Networks•"Sharing sites"•Course Management Tools (i.e. Moodle)•Customized Sites

For More Information

Email: sdbest@umich.edu

Web: webtools4learning.org

Blog: catalyst.mmstlc.org