Blended Learning in Action

Blended Learning in Action

Author: Catlin R. Tucker

Publisher: Corwin Press

Published: 2016-09-03

Total Pages: 253

ISBN-13: 1506341187

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Shift to blended learning to transform education Blended learning has the power to reinvent education, but the transition requires a new approach to learning and a new skillset for educators. Loaded with research and examples, Blended Learning in Action demonstrates the advantages a blended model has over traditional instruction when technology is used to engage students both inside the classroom and online. Readers will find: Breakdowns of the most effective classroom setups for blended learning Tips for leaders Ideas for personalizing and differentiating instruction using technology Strategies for managing devices in schools Questions to facilitate professional development and deeper learning


Learning by Doing

Learning by Doing

Author: Richard DuFour

Publisher: Solution Tree

Published: 2020

Total Pages: 267

ISBN-13: 9781949539479

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In the third edition of Learning by Doing: A Handbook for Professional Learning Communities at Work®, authors Richard DuFour, Rebecca DuFour, Robert Eaker, Thomas W. Many, and Mike Mattos provide educators with a comprehensive, bestselling guide to transforming their schools into professional learning communities (PLCs). In this revised version, contributor and Canadian educator Karen Power has adapted the third edition for Canadian educators, emphasizing how Canadian educators can effectively improve learning for each student across their unique and widely diverse provinces and territories. Rewritten so that the scenarios, research, and language appropriately meet the needs of Canadian educators, this version is packed with real-world strategies and advice that will assist readers in transforming their school or district into a successful PLC.


Action Research Communities

Action Research Communities

Author: Craig A. Mertler

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2017-09-01

Total Pages: 126

ISBN-13: 1351674544

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Action Research Communities presents a new perspective on two current and proven educational practices: classroom-/school-based action research and professional learning communities. Implementation of one or the other of these practices often results in a variety of possible benefits for the teaching–learning process, for student achievement, and for overall school improvement. While these might seem to be separate, isolated practices, the author has taken the beneficial aspects of each practice and merged them into a cohesive and potentially powerful concept, coined "action research communities." Each of the two concepts or approaches (action research and professional learning communities) is presented and discussed in detail. Because they both focus on local-level improvement of educational practice and share several overlapping features, the two concepts are then merged into a single entity—action research communities, or ARCs. These professional learning communities, with action research at their core, hold an immense amount of power and potential when it comes to enhanced professional growth and development for educators, increased student achievement, school improvement, and educator empowerment. ARCs essentially capitalize on all the individualized benefits and strengths of action research and of professional learning communities, and merge them into a single educational concept and practice. ARCs have the potential to help educators everywhere experience: •a common and collective focus and vision; • sustained collaborative inquiry; •individualized, customizable—and meaningful—professional growth; and •true empowerment that comes with this form of collaborative, inquiry-based, and reflective practice. Practical guidance for the development and implementation of ARCs is also provided, by focusing on ways in which professional educators (teachers, administrators, support staff, etc.) can implement, sustain, and extend the impact of their respective action research communities. Specific roles for district administrators, building administrators, and teachers are presented and discussed in depth, as are ways that ARCs can be used both to deepen professional learning for educators and to improve student learning.


Action Learning in Schools

Action Learning in Schools

Author: Peter Aubusson

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2012-08-21

Total Pages: 162

ISBN-13: 1136616969

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Teaching is becoming increasingly complex in the 21st Century, creating a need for more sophisticated frameworks to support teachers’ professional learning. Action learning is one such framework and has been used for workplace learning in business settings for many years. It is now becoming increasingly popular in school and university settings, but it is often misunderstood. This book clarifies what action learning is, linking key concepts to illustrate that it is not merely a process, but a dynamic interaction between professional learning, communities, leadership and change. The book brings together more than a decade of the authors’ research in school-based action learning. Rich and diverse, the research draws on more than 100 case studies of action learning by teams of teachers in schools. The authors: provide practical advice on how to initiate and sustain action learning; explain the interaction between action learning, teacher development, professional learning, community building, leadership and change; and illustrate how action learning can link to classroom practice so closely that it becomes part of what teachers do, rather than an added impost. Addressing the highs and lows, the successes and failures, and their underlying causes, Action Learning in Schools provides insights into theories of cooperation, innovation, leadership and community formation to inform individual projects and large-scale school improvement initiatives. It will be of interest to teacher educators, pre-service and experienced teachers alike, as well as school and education system managers and policymakers keen to enhance teacher professional learning and educational outcomes for students.


Professional Learning Communities at Work

Professional Learning Communities at Work

Author: Richard DuFour

Publisher: Solution Tree

Published: 1998

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781879639607

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Provides specific information on how to transform schools into results-oriented professional learning communities, describing the best practices that have been used by schools nationwide.


Collaborative Action Research for Professional Learning Communities

Collaborative Action Research for Professional Learning Communities

Author: Richard Sagor

Publisher: Solution Tree Press

Published: 2010-04-01

Total Pages: 305

ISBN-13: 1935543814

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Constant, high-quality collaborative inquiry sustains PLCs. Become disciplined and deliberative with data as you design and implement program improvements to enhance student learning. This book delves into the five habits of inquiry that contribute to professional learning. Get to know them and the action research process they represent. Detailed steps show you how to accomplish collaborative action research that drives continuous improvement.


Visible Learning into Action

Visible Learning into Action

Author: John Hattie

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2015-10-30

Total Pages: 331

ISBN-13: 1317525469

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Recently at the Visible Learning Conference, Professor John Hattie stood up in his opening address and said, "I’m looking at you all and thinking ‘What if I got this wrong?’" I feel the same way when educators ask to visit and I always end up in the same place – that Keilor Views is a living, breathing example that he didn’t. -- Charles Branciforte, Principal of Keilor Views Primary School, Melbourne, Australia Visible Learning into Action takes the next step in the evolving Visible Learning story. It translates one of the biggest and most critically acclaimed education research projects ever undertaken into case studies of actual success stories, implementing John Hattie’s ideas in the classrooms of schools all around the world. The evidenced case studies presented in this book describe the Visible Learning journeys of fifteen schools from Australia, USA, Hong Kong, UK, Sweden, New Zealand and Norway and are representative of the VL international community of schools in their quest to ensure all of their students exceed their potential for academic success. Each school’s story will inform and inspire, bringing to life the discussions, actions and reflections from leaders, teachers, students and families. This book features extensive, interactive appendices containing study guide questions to encourage critical thinking, annotated endnotes with recommendations for further reading and links to YouTube and relevant websites. Drawing on the latest research into the major principles and strategies of learning, this essential resource is structured into five parts: Know thy impact; Effective feedback; Visible learners; Inspired and passionate teachers; The Visible Learning School. Visible Learning into Action is aimed at any student, teacher or parent requiring an up-to-date commentary on how research into human learning processes can inform our teaching and what goes on in our schools.


Handbook of Professional Development in Education

Handbook of Professional Development in Education

Author: Linda E. Martin

Publisher: Guilford Publications

Published: 2014-04-16

Total Pages: 593

ISBN-13: 1462515274

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This comprehensive handbook synthesizes the best current knowledge on teacher professional development (PD) and addresses practical issues in implementation. Leading authorities describe innovative practices that are being used in schools, emphasizing the value of PD that is instructive, reflective, active, collaborative, and substantive. Strategies for creating, measuring, and sustaining successful programs are presented. The book explores the relationship of PD to adult learning theory, school leadership, district and state policy, the growth of professional learning communities, and the Common Core State Standards. Each chapter concludes with thought-provoking discussion questions. The appendix provides eight illuminating case studies of PD initiatives in diverse schools.


The Action Learning Handbook

The Action Learning Handbook

Author: Anne Brockbank

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2003-12-16

Total Pages: 292

ISBN-13: 1134311125

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The burgeoning use of learning sets has generated many innovative uses for, and developments of action learning, which are detailed and explored in this practical, accessible book written for educators, trainers and developers.


Professional Learning in Action

Professional Learning in Action

Author: Victoria J. Risko

Publisher: Teachers College Press

Published: 2016-07-01

Total Pages: 156

ISBN-13: 0807775010

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Risko and Vogt provide a unique and progressive approach for engaging the professional learning of teachers of literacy, reading specialists, literacy coaches and instructional leaders, content specialists, and administrators. Their deliberate use of Professional Learning signals the importance of educators engaging in authentic and inquiry-based decision-making. They describe and provide examples of needs assessments and progress monitoring activities that are embedded within differentiated professional learning activities, such as book clubs, lesson study, family literacy groups, and peer and literacy coaching. Actions and decisions are directed by questions generated by teachers, coaches, and administrators as they engage in collaborative and self-directed efforts to advance their knowledge and resolve dilemmas that impact instruction and students’ learning. Book Features: Provides authentic examples for implementing professional learning (PL) that addresses and resolves authentic dilemmas educators and students face.Synthesizes current research on effective professional learning with a literacy emphasis.Describes evidence-based and differentiated professional learning opportunities that engage instructional changes that are situated within meaningful and school-based applications.Advances knowledge about applications of professional learning that is collaborative, substantive, situated, dynamic, intense, and personal. Makes explicit connections to Common Core and similar State standards-based instruction.Includes reflection and self-study questions at the end of each chapter. “Professional Learning in Action will help close the ‘knowing/doing’ gap.... [The authors] have developed a systematic way to ensure that teachers are members of collaborating learning groups that harness the power of collective teacher efficacy.” —From the Foreword by Douglas Fisher, professor of educational leadership, San Diego State University “A must-read for educators involved in supporting high-quality literacy teaching. Current research about the importance of job-embedded, authentic professional learning serves as the foundation for the many practical ideas in this book.” —Rita M. Bean, professor emerita, University of Pittsburgh “This book will make a compelling contribution as a guiding resource for teachers and for those who support teachers' professional learning. It is focused on the needs of adult learners, respectful of teachers’ knowledge, and responsive to dynamic changes in educational standards.” —Maryann Mraz, University of North Carolina at Charlotte