Teacher Collaboration for Professional Learning

Teacher Collaboration for Professional Learning contains the essential information, tools, and examples teachers and school leaders need to create, manage, and sustain successful collaborative groups. Designed to be a hands-on resource, this practical guide shows you how to: Advocate for collaborative teacher learning Develop and sustain collaborative research groups Organize and conduct productive research projects Address issues of ethics, leadership, and group dynamics Evaluate and sustain collaborative learning activities Based on data from a major survey, Teacher Collaboration for Professional Learning features extensive case examples from model research communities collaborating within schools, across districts, in partnership with universities, and as online networks. The book also offers a wealth of reproducible templates as well as reflection questions and exercises?invaluable tools for organizing study groups.

List of Figures, Tables, and Exhibits v Foreword by Janice F. Almasi vii Preface ix Acknowledgments xiii The Authors xv The Contributors xvii Part 1 Why Support Collaborative Research? 1 Chapter 1 Improving Teacher Professional Learning 3 Chapter 2 Initiating Educational Improvements 13 Part 2 Building a Professional Learning Community 27 Chapter 3 Understanding the Inquiry Process 29 Chapter 4 Getting Started 39 Chapter 5 Staying Productive 65 Part 3 Collaborating Effectively 75 Chapter 6 Ethical Considerations: Improving Group Dynamics 77 Chapter 7 Leadership Strategies for Collaborative Support Groups 89 Part 4 Model Learning Communities in Action 97 Chapter 8 School-Based and Partnership Communities 99 Chapter 9 Networking and Online Collaborations 119 Chapter 10 A Districtwide Model: The Fairfax County Public Schools Teacher Researcher Network, Contributed by Gail V. Ritchie 129 Epilogue: Supporting and Sustaining Professional Collaboration 145 Appendixes Appendix A Tools and Templates 149 Stage 1: Getting to Know Invited Members 150 Brainstorming Chart: Whom to Invite to the Group 152 Stage 2: Sharing Perspectives and Talents 154 Tentative Agenda for Meetings 155 Meeting Minutes 156 Roles Signup Sheet 157 Stage 3: Supporting Each Other’s Efforts and Learning 158 Stage 4: Exploring the Possibilities 159 Ongoing Group Evaluation 160 Final Reflections 162 Stage 5: Ongoing Conversations 163 Appendix B Reflection Questions 165 Appendix C Study Group Exercises 169 Appendix D Valuable Resources 171 Appendix E Teacher Research Survey 173 References 177 Index 181