RSA #2: Learning as Our Fundamental Purpose

http://eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/search/detailmini.jsp?_nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=ED319126&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=no&accno=ED319126

Learning as Our Fundamental Purpose was the topic this week. So I searched for an article and found a link to a book that I can actually relate to.  “Improving Schools from Within: Teachers, Parents, and Principals Can Make the Difference.” The abstract says it best, “Although much has been written about school reform in the past decade, insufficient attention has been given to the important relationships among the adults within the school and to a consideration of how their abundant trapped energy, inventiveness, and idealism might be encouraged.”

Can you say PLC??!! I have felt this way many times. We focus so much of our attention on meaningless agenda’s and making parents and students needs met that we often forget about our own. I think of the work environments of companies like Nike and Pixar, where the employees are treated as professionals. These people love to be at work!! Think about how much better we could do if we felt that way. Interesting read.

 Learning by doing is by DuFour is really more focused on the learner…again. There really isn’t anything wrong with that. But I just like thinking a little differently once in a while. That is why I like the link I found. We have all hear and read about a “learn by doing” philosophy. But how often have you ever heard, “let’s make a positive working environment for the TEACHER!!!!” Probably not very much, because our feelings are often swept under the rug.

References

                DuFour, R., DuFour, R., Eaker, R., Many, T. (2010). Learning by doing: A handbook for professional learning communities at work (2^nd ed., pp. 155-204,247-266). Bloomington, IN: Solution Tree Press. (Chapters 6, 7, and 10).

RSA #1 Professional Learning Communities…..School Improvement

http://www.sedl.org/change/issues/issues61.html

Professional Learning Communities are a very hot topic in education these days. I researched a scholarly article on the topic titled ““Professional Learning Communities: What Are They and Why Are They Important? Issues... about Change, Vol. 6, No. 1 (1997)” I know we all know the basic reason for a PLC. This article brings up some very simple, yet direct points about the PLC. It starts off by saying that PLC’s have different meanings such as “extending classroom practice into the community; bringing community personnel into the school to enhance the curriculum and learning tasks for students; or engaging students, teachers, and administrators simultaneously in learning.” I personally think that the best way to communicate with the three groups is through technology. Blogs, websites, emails, etc. My favorite statement in the article is “The professional community of learners” which means “the teachers in a school and its administrators continuously seek and share learning and then act on what they learn.” To me, that really says it all. We learn from our experience, we talk it over with our peers and then we adjust to better suit the needs of our students.

                The assigned reading, “SUSTAINING SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT Professional Learning Community” describes a PLC as  “teachers and administrators 1) share a vision focused on student learning, 2) share leadership and decision making, and 3) work and learn together as they continually examine instructional practices.” This article focuses a little more on the role of the PLC participants and how to form a productive one. That’s all well and good, but to me it seems pretty obvious. I can sum it all up in two words, mutual respect.  Treat each other as professionals and trust each other to do what is right for students and we will make great strides towards higher learning.

Professional Learning Communities: What Are They And Why Are They Important?
Issues... about Change, Vol. 6, No. 1 (1997)

DuFour, R., DuFour, R., Eaker, R., Many, T. (2010). Learning by doing: A handbook for professional learning communities at work (2^nd ed., pp. 59-154). Sustaining school improvement: Professional learning community Bloomington, IN: Solution Tree Press. (Chapter 3, 4, and 5)

My first post. yiiippie kiyay..mo