Teacher Learning Communities (TLCs)

Teacher Learning Communities focused on formative assessment show significant potential for improving teaching practice and student achievement. (Wiliam and Thompson, 2007) Teacher Learning Communities Slide 1

TLCs Focused on Formative Assessment TLCs support teacher learning in three key ways: 1.Provision of additional content and pedagogical content knowledge 2.A structure for supportive accountability 3.Knowledge transfer (Reeves et al, 2001; Wenger, 1998; Wilson & Berne, 1999; Nonacid & Takeuchi, 1995) Slide 2

Commitment to improving teaching and learning De-privatization of teaching Accountability for making changes Deeper understanding of process of formative assessment A process for sharing examples of practice and for asking questions or clarifications (Lyon & Wylie, 2009) Learn-Practice-Reflect-Revise TLCs: What Can Develop Slide 3

Your Turn In the following video, Dylan Wiliam discusses the benefits of TLCs: Discussion Questions: 1.What did you learn about the value of TLCs? 2.What practices, protocols or approaches would you consider using in your TLC? Slide 4

Your Turn: Myths and Misconceptions Use Handout to discuss common (mis)understandings about TLCs. When finished, share your results with the whole group and/or in small groups. Slide 5

Getting Started: Develop common understanding of purpose Establish meeting expectations Establish meeting routines Maintain focus and flexibility (Wylie & Heritage, 2010) Planning for TLCs Slide 6

Decide when to meet Remember that time is a scarce commodity Keep in mind that it is hard to sustain momentum and commitment when meetings are infrequent (Lyon, Cleland & Gannon, 2008) Preserve meeting time (Wylie & Heritage, 2010) Planning for TLCs Slide 7

Every meeting should have a similar routine: 1. Share progress since last meeting 2. Explore new or deeper aspect of formative assessment 3. Plan for what you will do before the next meeting 4. Dedicate a minimum of 75 minutes per TLC for change SUPPORTIVE ACCOUNTABILITY! Routines and Structure Slide 8

“I think specifically what was helpful was the ridiculous action plan. I thought that was the dumbest thing, but I’m sitting with my friends and on the action plan I write down what I am going to do next month…It was because I wrote it down and I had it in my little packet and that idea of making improvements, sort of informally, which is much more powerful than formally committing to doing it. I was surprised at how strong an incentive that was to actually do something different…just the idea of sitting in a group, working out something, and making a commitment, even something as informal…I was impressed about how that actually made me do stuff.” (Group C Member, May 2005; Wylie, Lyon & Mavronikolas, 2008) Action Plans Slide 9

DO NOT PERMIT ANYTHING TO GET IN THE WAY! Slide 10

Your Turn Now it’s time to start making plans for your TLC. Use Handout to: Develop a common understanding of purpose Establish meeting expectations Establish meeting routines Support focus and flexibility Share your TLC plans and decisions with your facilitator and/or site leader. Slide 11

Try It Out Set up an initial TLC meeting Establish an agenda Record your meeting agenda, notes and decisions Post your action plan Slide 12