Building and Connecting Learning Communities: The Power of Networks for School Improvement

by Steven Katz (Editor), Lorna M. Earl (Editor), Sonia Ben Jaafar (Editor)

Overview

Networked learning communities: A powerful school improvement strategy for school leaders!

Drawing on their work with schools in North America and England, the authors demonstrate how linking professional learning communities across school or district boundaries creates networked learning communities (NLCs) that can share professional knowledge. Through a sample school narrative, the book illustrates how NLCs can significantly improve instruction, increase student performance, and promote deep and sustained change. This resource examines:

• Collaborative inquiry as a process that challenges teachers’ thinking, generates new learning, and fosters trusting relationships
• Formal and informal leadership roles in NLCs
• How NLCs support systematic data analysis and accountability

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781412966016
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	09/01/2009
Pages:	118
Product dimensions:	6.90(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	3 Months

About the Author

Steven Katz is the director of Aporia Consulting Ltd. and a faculty member in the Applied Psychology and Human Development at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto (OISE, UT), where he teaches in the Child Study and Education graduate program. He is the recipient of the OISE, UT- wide award for teaching excellence. Steven has a Ph D in human development and applied psychology, with specialization in applied cognitive science. His areas of expertise include cognition and learning, teacher education, networked learning communities, leading professional learning, and evidence-informed decision making for school improvement. He has received the Governor General’s Medal for excellence in his field and has been involved in research and evaluation, professional development, and consulting with a host of educational organizations around the world. He is the author of several best-selling books, including Leading Schools in a Data-Rich World, Building and Connecting Learning Communities, Intentional Interruption, and The Intelligent, Responsive Leader.

Lorna M. Earl is a director of Aporia Consulting Ltd. and a retired associate professor from the Department of Theory and Policy Studies at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto. She was the first director of assessment for the Ontario Education Quality and Accountability Office, and she as been a researcher and research director in school districts for over 20 years.

Throughout her career, Earl has concentrated her efforts on policy and program evaluations as a vehicle to enhance learning for pupils and for organizations. She has done extensive work in the areas of literacy and the middle years, but has concentrated her efforts on issues related to evaluation of large-scale reform and assessment (large-scale and classroom) in many venues around the world. She has worked extensively in schools and school boards, and has been involved in consultation, research, and staff development with teachers' organizations, ministries of education, school districts, and charitable foundations. Earl holds a doctorate in epidemiology and biostatistics, as well as degrees in education and psychology.

Sonia Ben Jaafar is a research associate at Aporia Consulting Ltd. She works internationally to support policy and program development and implementation through applied research and evaluation. Her areas of expertise include assessment, accountability, educational reform, policy and program development, and comparative studies.

Ben Jaafar graduated from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto with a Ph D in theory and policy studies. She also holds an MA in curriculum, teaching, and learning; a BEd specialized in science education; and a BSc in biochemistry.

Table of Contents

Preface
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
1. Why Networks? Why Now?
It’s About Learning
Networks: A Powerful Organizational Tool
Time for Reflection
2. How Networked Learning Communities Work
What Are Networked Learning Communities?
How NLCs Work: The Theory of Action
Using NLCs to Focus Local PLCs
The Anatomy of a NLC: A Refined Theory of Action
Time for Reflection
3. Establishing a Clear and Defensible Focus
Focus Foremost
Evidence-Based Focus
From a School Focus to a Network Focus
Time for Reflection
4. Collaborative Inquiry to Challenge Thinking and Practice
The Importance of Relationships
From Inquiry to an Inquiry Habit of Mind
From Relationships to Deep Collaboration
Getting to Powerful Collaborative Inquiry
Time for Reflection
5. Leadership in Networked Professional Learning Communities
Roles of Formal Leaders
Roles of Informal Leaders
Time for Reflection
6. From Student Learning to Teacher Learning
Towards Focused Collaborative Inquiry
Collaborative Inquiry for Teacher Leaders
Within-School Focused Professional Learning: Collaborative Inquiry for Teachers
Time for Reflection
7. Using the Network to Support Professional Learning for Leaders
Collaborative Inquiry and Focused Learning for Leaders
Using Critical Friends to Promote Inquiry and Focus Efforts
From Collaborative Inquiry to Instructional Leadership Actions
Time for Reflection
8. Sustaining Networked Learning Communities
Sustaining Collective Understanding
Sustaining Professional Learning
Sustaining and Broadening Leadership
Sustaining Powerful Networked Learning Communities
Time for Reflection
References
Index

Editorial Reviews

"Taking your school from great to greater—to get there, this compelling book gives you tools to use with staff for reflecting on and refining your professional practices. It provides you and your team with effective options for taking learners to the next level of improvement. "

Lynn A. Kaszynski