It has been my experience that what makes PLCs work is that first there needs to be some formal training. Telling people to plan and work together as a Team is not really enough. We really gelled as a school with our PLCs after some training with explanation of the purpose, benefits, and effectiveness of PLCs. An example from the medical profession was given to us. Lasik eye surgery is a fairly simple process today with computer guided laser tools. The process takes less than an hour. In the past the risky process was done using scalpels to cut and reform one eye at a time and from start to finish took about a year. If one of us went to a doctor today who said “I’ve been doing it with scalpels for 25 years, and I am not going to use those newfangled methods,” the doctor would clearly be doing malpractice. If we as teachers do not adapt and use newer scientifically proven methods, are we not committing malpractice?
Beyond training, I found that what we did that made it really work well was our PLC taught the same material at the same time, and we all gave the students the same common assessment. This allowed two wonderful things to happen. First, it showed us which teacher seemed to have strategies and techniques that were most effective so that we could copy. The other benefit was that we could then have remediation for those who needed it and extension activities for others. Our PLC had three members, and we made three groups based on test results, and split our class once a week. These groups were somewhat fluid since they were need based. We had a great success, especially in math. This happened because we were able to work as a team and not let our egos get in the way very often.
What have been your experiences with PLCs? What makes your PLC work? What problems have you had in implementing your PLC? Do you think your PLC works as it is supposed to, or is it like at our school prior to training, a PLC in name only?
I like the example that if teachers do not adapt and use newer scientifically proven method, are we not committing malpractice? At time I will admit that I have committed malpractice. But that is why I have taken the challenge offered through online courses. There is one particular site that has motivated me to find new and better tools for my job as a librarian. It is found at http://www.schoollibrarylearning2.blogspot.com
ReplyDeletethis site does a brilliant job helping teacher-librarians train themselves for leadership in the new information landscapes.
Your post made me want to learn more about PLC's. I love working with my co-workers and have never understood teachers who wouldn't share great lessons or assessments. We should all be in education for the children and do what is best for them. It takes a team to educate a student. PLC's seem like a great idea.
ReplyDeletePLC's are not an easy thing to get started. I have found that some teachers are very content to sit in their classrooms and not visit with other teachers. Other teachers just need to see how much it can help the whole program at the school. Then we have the teachers who are on board with the whole PLC concept. Once this happens the group will start to sore. I do know it will take about 5 to 8 years to get it going in the right direction.
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