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.

Teacher Collaboration for Professional Learning contains theessential information, tools, and examples teachers and schoolleaders need to create, manage, and sustain successfulcollaborative groups. Designed to be a hands-on resource, thispractical 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 activitiesBased on data from a major survey, Teacher Collaboration forProfessional Learning features extensive case examples frommodel research communities collaborating within schools, acrossdistricts, in partnership with universities, and as onlinenetworks. The book also offers a wealth of reproducible templatesas well as reflection questions and exercises?invaluable tools fororganizing study groups.

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