Downloaded 17 times
Uploaded byAndrew Steinman
4/29/15 Classroom Learning Labs Webinar Presentation
The document discusses the benefits of Classroom Learning Labs (CLLs) for teacher professional development and collaboration. CLLs involve teachers observing each other's classrooms, providing feedback, and engaging in reflective conversations to improve instructional practices. Three key points: 1) CLLs encourage peer-to-peer learning and choice-driven professional development, unlike traditional top-down models. 2) Research shows collaboration improves teaching and boosts student achievement through complex problem-solving and sharing of expertise. 3) Teacher reflections indicate CLLs push them to higher levels of instruction and encourage risk-taking and reflection on teaching practices.
Educationā¦
More Related Content
Similar to 4/29/15 Classroom Learning Labs Webinar Presentation
4/29/15 Classroom Learning Labs Webinar Presentation
- 1. Building a Collaborative Communitythrough Classroom Learning Labs Teresa McDougall and Dr. Dorothy VanderJagt
- 2. Changing the Cultureof Classrooms, Buildings, and Districts Through Classroom Learning Labs The Ripple Effectā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦.. Teresa McDougall and Dr. Dorothy VanderJagt @tmcdicoach @dvanderj
- 3. What are someelements of collaboration you believe are needed for students to achieve and thrive?
- 4. What are someelements of collaboration you believe are needed for educators to achieve and thrive?
- 5. What are elementsof professional development you value?
- 6. Traditional form ofProfessional Development Compared to Classroom Learning Labs Classroom Learning Labs: ā Relationship is peer-peer ā Teacher reflects, chooses area for professional growth, ā Focuses on student learning and evidence of the learning ā Facilitator and colleagues follow up with host and guest educators to coach and collaborate ā CHOICE Traditional Form: ā Relationship is expert-novice ā Expert/supervisor evaluates, areas for discussion ā Focuses on teacher actions ā Generally one time session
- 7. The outcome ofpowerful conversations regarding instructional practice results in change and adjustment in teacher practice resulting in increased student achievement.
- 8. Schools with professionalcollaboration exhibit relationships and behaviors that support quality work and effective instruction, including the following: ā More complex problem-solving and extensive sharing of craft knowledge ā Stronger professional networks to share information ā Greater risk-taking and experimentation (because colleagues offer support and feedback) ā A richer technical language shared by educators in the school that can transmit professional knowledge quickly ā Increased job satisfaction and identification with the school ā More continuous and comprehensive attempts to improve the school, when combined with school-level improvement efforts (see Fullan and Hargreaves, 1991, for an excellent review)
- 9. Teachers and administratorsspend time observing each other, and they instruct each other in the craft of teaching through formal and informal demonstrations. Collegial environments favor in-depth problem solving and planning. Interactions among staff and administrators foster more successful staff development, ongoing refinement of instruction, and improved teaching. Schools with Strong Collegial Orientations
- 10. As Susan Johnson(1990) found in her study of teachers and their work: The teachers made it clear that continuing collegial interaction benefits both them and their students. It sustains them through difficult times. It deepens their understanding of subject matter and pedagogy, supplies them with novel approaches, and allows them to test and compare practices. It encourages cooperative approaches to school change. It promotes high professional standards and a more coherent instructional experience for children. (p. 178)
- 11. Key aspect ofcollaborative cultures is the teachers' sense of efficacy - "the extent to which a teacher believes that he or she has the capacity to affect student learning" (Ashton, Burr and Crocker, 1984, p. 29). -Teachers with a high sense of efficacy believe that their efforts and expertise will have more impact on student learning than such external variables as parental support, class size, student motivation, and student socioeconomic background (Smylie, 1988; Rosenholtz, 1989).
- 12. In what waysdo you have or support collaboration in your classroom, building, or district?
- 13. Structures and ActivitiesThat Support Collaboration When staff have more opportunities to collaborate in activities that are positive, self- directed, and important to them, a culture of collaboration is more likely to develop (see Little, 1982; Fullan and Hargreaves, 1989).
- 14. Building Collaboration Acrossthe Building, District, and County 1. Reflective dialogue. 2. De-privatization of practice 3. Collective focus on student learning 4. Collaboration 5. Shared norms and values
- 15. Social and humanresources to enhance professional community ā Openness to improvement -- support for risk taking ā Trust and respect -- teachers honored for their expertise ā Cognitive skill base -- effective teaching based on expertise in the knowledge and skills of teaching ā Supportive leadership -- focused on shared purpose, continuous improvement, and collaboration ā Socialization -- The school culture must encourage positive behaviors and discourage negative ones, in a daily process aimed at working toward the school vision and mission.
- 16. The Goal ofthe CLL is to Develop More Reflective Practitioners āIt is a well-accepted fact among educators that what a teacher does in the classroom has a direct effect on student achievement.ā (Nye, Konstantopoulos, & Hedges, 2004)
- 17. A number ofresearchers have reported results that support professional development that āis situated in practice, is ongoing, promotes collaborative inquiry and critical discourse, and is focused on improving student learning.ā (Mast & Ginsberg, 2010, p. 257) (Ball & Cohen, 1999; Cochran-Smith & Lytle, 1999; Darling-Hammond & McLaughlin, 1999; Lyons & LaBoskey, 2002) āEffective professional development for teachers should help them āexplore the upsides and downsides of experience, making their practice transparent and their knowledge public in the presence of others.ā (Cheryl Craig and Margaret Olson 2002 p. 117)
- 18. What are someways the professional development you provide or have experienced, encourages teachers to develop a habit of thinking to be more reflective in their own practices?
- 19. What is theClassroom Learning Lab? Professional Learning created and provided for Educators by Educators that has a ripple effect on teaching and learning
- 20. What are theAdopted Protocols? 1. Pre-Lesson Coaching Conversation 2. CLL: Pre Brief Classroom Observation DeBrief-Collaborative Conversations 3. Follow Up: Coach or Facilitator follows up on the goals stated by participants.
- 21. Instructional Dialogue The morewe have collaborative conversation, we realize they are like layers of an onion.
- 22. Developing the CLL Ateacher must have a general idea of what constitutes effective teaching. Growing a teacherās domain knowledge so they know what strategies and behaviors are generally effective in their areas of expertise, while developing the practice to grow more effective strategies to meet the needs of their students.
- 23. Impact on theClassroom Culture Abbyās Reflection on her own instruction and student learning. āIncreased Classroom or Student Dialogueā āQuestioning to get to students thinkingā āUse of Formative Assessments to make instructional decisionsā āBeginning to become aware of some of the subtleties going on the classroomā āUse of multiple cooperative and collaborative strategies and groupings.
- 24. The CLL hasimpacted my teaching and student learning by helping me find the areas that I am doing well in and those areas that I need to improve. Collaborating with other teachers has also given me a wealth of ideas and knowledge. It also fosters teachers to want to collaborate more, which is an ideal way to grow in our profession. Students are engaged and eager to learn. (Michele Stutzky, Teacher, Grandville Public Schools) Impact on the Classroom Culture
- 25. Impact on theBuilding Culture ā Increased interest in participation in learning from colleagues ā Meaningful conversation around instructional thinking that probably wouldn't have happened ā Growing in our ability to provide high quality insight ā Building leadership capacity in the teaching ranks ā Helped our district align in a common area ā Brings value to the craft of teaching-seems we honor the decisions/moves a teacher makes because there is a pre-brief and debrief platform where they defend/justify their thinking (Michelle Krynicki, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Godwin Heights 2015) Theresaās thoughts on the impact CLL has had on her building.
- 26. Impact on theBuilding Culture We are seeing the CLL evolve. Unique collaborative learning models reflecting the desires of our teachers are starting to develop. We have noticed more teacher teams collaborating within schools (even some outside of their own school in cross-grade teams) to improve instruction in a variety of content areas. The collaborative spirit is growing. (Michelle Becker, Instructional Coach, Forest Hills Public Schools 2015)
- 27. Impact on theCounty Culture ā Teachers focus on teaching and learning ā Implementation of the standards ā Innovative ideas ā Inquiry ā Implementation of new curriculum ā Seeking feedback ā Student evidence of learning ā Developing curriculum and resources ā Cross collaboration ā Administrators share strengths and weaknesses ā Their curriculum, student data, or needs of teachers-areas they would like to develop
- 28. Impact on theCounty Culture Cross districts and county Lines CLL Cross district sharing of ideas and resources Collaboration on curriculum, resources, instructional practices, innovative ideas.
- 29. Teacher Reflections onthe CLL Professional Learning Experience ā āBeing a member of the group has pushed me to grow as a teacher. Also, it has pushed me to look more closely at the Instructional Model. I have thought much more about why I do what I do in the classroom. Getting ideas from other teachers and being able to talk together is incredibly valuable.ā ā āIt pushes me to the next level of instruction. It encourages me to take risks and be reflective on my teaching. I have taken a piece of every members lesson and used it in my own classroom.ā ā āThank you so much for this opportunity! Iām so happy that I took a chance and said yes. :)ā
- 30. Impact on StudentAchievement One Middle School teacher shared after participating in a CLL where the host teacher modeled scaffolded questioning in her class dialogue to get to student deeper thinking. After a month of implementing more questioning and providing students more opportunities to share thinking, he noticed an increase in student test scores by 15%-20%.
- 31. In what waysdo the CLL compare to what you envision for your colleagues? What are you wondering about? What questions might you have?
- 32. Resources for youto access http://cllicoach.weebly.com/ @tmcdicoach @dvanderj
- 33. The Literature Reflecting onTeaching and Learning ā Peer mediation: ā Communities of practice (Wenger, 2014) ā Reflection-in-action (Schon, 1983) ā Progressive discourse (Wells, 2000) ā Peer coaching (Joyce & Showers, 2002) ā Expert mediation ā Responsive and directive coaching (Ippolito 2009) ā Student-centered coaching (Sweeney, 2011) ā Cognitive Coaching (Costa & Garmston, 2002) ā Video mediation ā Video clubs in Mathematics teacher noticings (Sherrin, 2011)
- 34. Research to SupportOur Work Cambourne, B. (1995). Toward an educationally relevant theory of literacy learning: Twenty years of inquiry. The Reading Teacher, 49(3), 182-190. DuFour, R. & Eaker, R. (1998). Professional learning communities at work: Best practices for enhancing student achievement. Bllomington, IN: National Education Service. Houk, L, (2010). Demonstrating teaching in a lab classroom. Educational Leadership, 67. International Reading Association (2010). Standards for Reading Professionals. Retrieved March 26, 2013 from: http://www.reading.org/General/CurrentResearch/Standards/ProfessionalStandards2010.aspx Lacina, J. & Block, C.C. (2011). What matters most in distinguished literacy teacher education programs? Journal of Literacy Research. 43(4), 319-351.
- 35. Marker, E. &DāOnfrio, A. (2010). A different kind of coaching: The professional preparation of graduate level reading specialists combining video coaching with concurrent feedback. College Reading Association Yearbook, 31, 95-112. Sweeney, D. (2010). Student-centered coaching: A guide for K-8 principals and coaches. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin. Tomlinson, C.A. & McTighe, J. (2006). Integrating differentiated instruction and understanding by design: Connecting content and kids. Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development: Alexandria, VA. Wenger, E. (c2007). Communities of practice: A brief introduction. Communities of practice. [http://www.ewenger.com/theory/. Accessed May 9, 2014. Zhang & Miller in R. Goldman, R. Pea, B. Barron & S. Derry (Eds.) (2007). Video research in the learning sciences. New York, NY: Routledge.
- 36. Building a Collaborative Communitythrough Classroom Learning Labs Teresa McDougall and Dr. Dorothy VanderJagt Click here to provide feedback
- 37. Click here toregister Going Paperless with Google Apps Kelly Kermode ā Forest Hills Public Schools
Editor's Notes
- #6Ā What are some forms of professional development you have found most beneficial?
- #7Ā There are many forms of the CLL, PLC, book study groups, lesson study, extension to professional development, experience how the shift in instruction looks and sounds, notice evidence of student learning. Every CLL takes on a different form of learning depending upon the educators bring to each session. The CLL and Instructional Rounds. have a lot of similarities, The goal of instructional rounds isn't to provide feedback to the teacher being observed, although this is an option if the observed teacher so desires. Rather, the primary purpose is for observing teachers to compare their own instructional practices with those of the teachers they observe. The chief benefit for both the CLL and Instructional Rounds resides in the discussion that takes place among observing teachers at the end of the observation as well as in subsequent self-reflection. CLL are organic and allow the educators to have choice and take away goals for themselves as well as the self reflection to their own practices.
- #8Ā As part of the systems view and structure, we encourage schools/districts to be focused in their CLL development and implementation. Many districts have identified their instructional model and best practices which have become the focus of their CLL.
- #9Ā Collegial relationships exist when teachers discuss problems and difficulties, share ideas and knowledge, exchange techniques and approaches, observe one another's work, and collaborate on instructional projects (Little, 1982; Rosenholtz, 1989; Smylie, 1988)
- #10Ā Little (1982) and Rosenholtz (1989) discovered key behaviors in schools with strong collegial orientations. In these schools, teachers value professional relationships, share ideas, and readily exchange new techniques.
- #11Ā Schools that foster collegiality often have organizational norms that overcome the uncertainties and isolation of teaching by supporting collegial dialogue, the exchange of ideas, debate over issues and techniques, and experimentation (Johnson, 1990). Teachers in these schools show a tendency to cooperate rather than compete, and they work in a "safe environment . . . free of criticism" (p. 170). Collegiality is nurtured, as honest debate and open disagreement combine with supportive, trusting relationships. Third, collegiality is fostered when reference groups that support dialogue, growth, and experimentation are available to teachers (Johnson, 1990). While the entire staff of a small school could serve as a successful professional unit - supporting, encouraging, and debating - in larger schools reference groups are more likely to be grade-level teams, interdisciplinary units, or departments. When these groups support collaborative practice and professional dialogue, collegiality can grow. Fourth, collegiality seems to wither or die when teachers are given insufficient time to engage in the kinds of joint tasks that build collegial relations and collaborative successes (Johnson, 1990). Teachers need time to meet, talk, think, and interact. While most research points to the ways in which principals have provided leadership and support for improvement efforts (Deal and Peterson, 1990; Fullan, 1991), principals also can get in the way of collegiality and collaboration. Administrators can foster collegiality by promoting teacher leadership and encouraging teachers to exchange ideas and work together.
- #12Ā These teachers (1) believe that student learning can be influenced by effective teaching, (2) exhibit greater confidence in their own teaching abilities, (3) tend to persist longer, (4) provide greater academic focus in the classroom, and (5) use different types of feedback than teachers with a low sense of efficacy (Smylie, 1988; Rosenholtz, 1989). Teachers with a high sense of efficacy are more likely to adopt new classroom behaviors (Rosenholtz, 1989; Smylie, 1988); have higher student achievement (Ashton, Burr, and Crocker, 1984); engage in rich and meaningful collaborative activities and collegial interactions; and persist in providing intensive instruction even with students most difficult to reach (Ashton et al, 1982; Gibson and Dembo, 1984). In urban schools, the teachers' sense of efficacy could support continued work to help all students learn. Teachers who believe that they can affect their students' learning are more likely to ask for and receive technical assistance from colleagues (Little, 1982; Rosenholtz, 1989; Smylie, 1988). They seem more comfortable asking for and giving advice and sharing techniques that can be used by others, which increases the degree of collegiality and collaborative norms in the school. In short, the research suggests that these teachers are more likely to work to improve their practice (Guskey, 1988; Rosenholtz, 1989; Smylie, 1988). Collaborative school cultures do not develop overnight, but are shaped by the ways principals, teachers, and key people reinforce and support underlying norms, values, beliefs, and assumptions.
- #15Ā Reflective dialogue: Members of the school community talk about their situations and the specific challenges they face. Together, they develop a set of shared norms, beliefs, and values that form a basis for action. Members of the community can use these discussions to critique themselves, as well as the institution within which they work. De-privatization of practice: Teachers share, observe, and discuss each other's teaching methods and philosophies. By sharing practice "in public," teachers learn new ways to talk about what they do, and the discussions kindle new relationships between and among the participants. Collective focus on student learning: Teachers are focused on student learning. They assume that all students can learn at reasonably high levels, and that teachers can help them, despite many obstacles that students may face outside school. This focus is not enforced by rules, but by mutually felt obligation among teachers. Collaboration: A strong professional community encourages teachers to work together to develop shared understandings of students, curriculum, and instructional policy. Collaboration also results in the production of materials and activities that improve instruction, curriculum, and assessment for students, as well as new and different approaches to professional development for the teachers themselves. Shared norms and values: Through their words and actions, teachers joined in a professional community affirm their common values concerning critical educational issues and in support of their collective focus on student learning.
- #17Ā Clearly teaching is a skill, and like any skill, it must be practiced. Just as athletes wanting to improve, must identify their personal strengths and weaknesses, set goals, and engaged in focused practice to meet those goals. Teachers must also examine their practices, set goals, engaged in focused practice and feedback to achieve their goals. This feedback must be grounded in an understanding of best instructional practices, how students learn, and in actual events or decisions the teacher has made. The goal is to build habits of reflective practices by each teacher through powerful collaborative conversations. Teacher reflection All educators have a private view of teaching, depending on their own experience as students or parents, professional prepartion, their experience, and interactions with colleagues. The most valuable aspect of the CLL for teaching its not about the acquisition of skills, but what is derived from the professional conversations among educators about their practice. Teachers acquire ideas from one another in a non evaluative, non judgemental environment. Teaching is so complex that is is never done perfectly, we need a professional learning process that allows and provides for continued learning to develop our craft. Teachers need to believe change is needed and have choice to grow.
- #19Ā CLL have been developed and continues to evolve to facilitate teacher thinking to impact their own classroom instruction.
- #20Ā It is a job embedded for of professional learning. Educators learning along side of one another, where no one is the expert or novice. The set of protocols ensures a safe and collaborative culture.
- #21Ā When we start within any system, we introduce staff to a variety of CLL formats and possible protocols. Staff experience a CLL, and all come away stating these protocols are the framework to use to create the safe collaborative culture.
- #22Ā The role of the facilitator is a critical element to this structure. The highly skilled facilitator must set aside their experiences and ideas in order to unlock the group potential for self reflection and growth. It is the facilitator who guides the discussion around what instructional decisions impact student learning. Their role is to know when to reveal or prompt thinking forward. To ensure every voice is heard and honored. Teachers are becoming more reflective practitioners- they compare what they experience through the CLL and discussions to their own instruction They look for instructional moves that impact student learning- or look ofr evidence of student learning, then listen to the teacher explain their instructional decisions that may have contributed to the success of the learning.
- #23Ā It was and remains a collaborative process of developing a professional learning experience for educators by educators. Grandville-other districts to across the county. We spent a year in Grandville with the support of the Kent ISD staff to develop the CLL process. Every step was a learning experience. Teachers K-12 were getting into each otherās classrooms for the first time to talk about instruction.
- #24Ā The CLL develops a culture of Inquiry, teachers notice and wonder together, not offering āfix itā strategies, but rather comparing with they notice and experience through the CLL process to their own instruction-thus more immediate change.
- #28Ā We understand and appreciate the need for content specific CLL experiences, we have learned the larger impact of cross district professional learning. Teachers are finding affirmation and new ideas growing from their CLL experiences. Administrators and teachers are reaching across the district and regional lines to work collaboratively to grow the craft of teaching, develop curriculum resources, and to continue dialogue on student achievement.
- #29Ā We understand and appreciate the need for content specific CLL experiences, we have learned the larger impact of cross district professional learning. Teachers are finding affirmation and new ideas growing from their CLL experiences. Administrators and teachers are reaching across the district and regional lines to work collaboratively to grow the craft of teaching, develop curriculum resources, and to continue dialogue on student achievement.
- #30Ā In what ways have CLL opened doors for admin too. Building curriculum collaborative teams to work together to develop resources needed by students and teachers. Encouraging teachers to visit other districts to develop their own craft around an initiative or best instructional practices.
- #31Ā While it is challenging to measure the impact of instructional decisions on student achievement. We have observable and perception data. We have teacher self reflections, and student feedback. Guest teachers collect evidence of student learning while observing through capturing student thinking or work artifacts. This data helps the teacher to make instructional decisions.