scholarly journals Analysis of the Effect of School Organizational Culture and Professional Learning Communities on Teacher Efficacy

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 206-217
Author(s):  
Suk Yeol Lee
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Efficacy ◽  
Professional Learning Communities ◽  
Learning Communities ◽  
Learning Community ◽  
Professional Learning Community ◽  
Professional Learning ◽  
Teaching Experience ◽  
School Level ◽  
School Organisation ◽  
Organisation Culture

Introduction. The aim of the study is to find ways to expand teacher efficacy by examining how the teacher’s efficacy varies according to the school organisation culture and the level of the professional learning community. Materials and Methods. Survey methods were used to collect the data from 400 in-service teachers at elementary, middle, and high schools in South Korea, with five schools selected from each region, respectively. This study utilizes the data from 359 teachers. This study used a random sampling method, taking the location of the school into consideration. Descriptive statistics were used to examine the overall trends in school organisation culture. T-test was used to examine differences among research variables depending on the personal background of gender and teacher level, and the F-test and Scheffe tests were used for school level and teaching experience. Results. First, school’s organization culture is transforming and evolving into a more ideal and model culture. As schools increasingly transform into innovative schools, innovative cultures and group cultures gradually form. Second, a school is a type of organization system that elicits responses elicits a variety of responses from the teachers depending on their personal background and characteristics. Third, professional learning communities have a positive effect on teacher efficacy. Therefore, school organisation culture can be seen as a better predictor of teacher ef ficacy than a professional learning community. Discussion and Conclusion. The article is of interest to the managers of the school educat ion system.

scholarly journals CREATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF TEACHER PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITY: INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 493
Author(s):  
Justinas Monkevicius ◽  
Renaldas Čiužas
Keyword(s):  
Professional Learning Communities ◽  
Learning Communities ◽  
Learning Community ◽  
Professional Learning Community ◽  
Professional Learning ◽  
Organisational Culture ◽  
Institutional Factors ◽  
Teacher Professional Learning ◽  
Organisational Structure ◽  
Teacher Professional

The article presents a theoretical and empirical analysis of institutional factors of creation and development of successful teacher professional learning communities. On the basis of the conducted theoretical analysis, institutional factors were systemised and divided into four groups:factors related to organisational culture, to processes, to organisational structure, and factors related to financial and material resources.The empirical research reveals the relevance of theoretically distinguished factors to the practical processes of creation and development of successful teacher professional learning communities. It also singles out new factors that have not been investigated by other scholars and highlights the encountered barriers.

School culture and leadership of professional learning communities

2015 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 682-694 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Carpenter
Keyword(s):  
School Culture ◽  
School Improvement ◽  
Professional Learning Communities ◽  
Learning Communities ◽  
Learning Community ◽  
Professional Learning Community ◽  
Professional Learning ◽  
Shared Leadership ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Policies And Procedures

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore supportive and shared leadership structures at schools as a function of school culture policies and procedures. Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative study was conducted at three secondary schools in the Midwestern USA. Administrators and teachers were interviewed, professional learning communities observed and artifacts collected to explore school culture policies, procedures and leadership in the implementation of professional learning community practice. Findings – This study concludes that school leaders must provide supportive and shared leadership structures for teachers in order to ensure a positive school culture and effective professional learning communities that impact school improvement. Leaders in schools must work directly with teachers to create policies and procedures that provide teachers the leadership structure to directly impact school improvement through professional learning community collaborative efforts. Originality/value – This study builds on the school culture and professional learning communities literature by exploring existent policies and practices in schools as unique cases. Much of the literature calls for specific case studies to identify issues in the implementation of effective practice. This study is important to the community as specific cases that may inform educational leaders on mechanisms that may be leveraged to ensure successful implementation of policies and procedures outline in school culture and professional learning community literature.

scholarly journals A Look into a Professional Learning Community

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 645
Author(s):  
Nazanin Dehdary
Keyword(s):  
Professional Learning Communities ◽  
Learning Communities ◽  
Learning Community ◽  
Professional Learning Community ◽  
Professional Learning ◽  
Sense Of Belonging ◽  
English Language ◽  
Management Policy ◽  
Context Management ◽  
English Language Institute

Professional learning communities are not commonplace in Iran and this is evidenced by the scant literature in this regard.  The present study is an attempt to fill the gap in the literature. This study was conducted in the hope of evaluating a professional learning community within an English language institute in Iran to detect the threats to its survival from the viewpoints of some of the teachers and members of the board of studies. The analysis of the data uncovered three major strengths the current PLC enjoys. These plus points are the dynamic work context, management policy, and a nexus of focus communities. There is, however, a consensus among participants that in recent years many teachers have detached themselves from different communities within the institute. The analysis of the data revealed sense of belonging, teacher’s view of the profession, infrastructure and flawed dialogue as the major threats.

scholarly journals Professional Learning Community (PLC) in Singapore (Potential and Limitations in Shaping High-Quality Education)

2020 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-79
Author(s):  
Inetta Nowosad
Keyword(s):  
Professional Learning Communities ◽  
Learning Communities ◽  
Educational Policy ◽  
Learning Community ◽  
Professional Learning Community ◽  
Professional Learning ◽  
Quality Education ◽  
Research Review ◽  
High Quality ◽  
High Quality Education

Summary The aim of this article is to recognise the Professional Learning Communities (PLC) model adopted in 2009 in Singapore as a national mode. The explicit use of the term of PLC together with related terms makes it possible to understand an educational policy which is focused on the implementation of concepts developed in a different, foreign context. The orientation adopted in Singapore identifies PLC not only as reinforcing incentives for teachers and their professionalism, but more broadly, as reinforcing the already high-quality education. The arguments and evidence presented in this article are mainly based on literature and research review, as well as on analyses of source documents.

scholarly journals Conversations in a professional learning community: An analysis of teacher learning opportunities in mathematics

Pythagoras ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Million Chauraya ◽  
Karin Brodie
Keyword(s):  
Professional Learning Communities ◽  
Learning Communities ◽  
Learning Community ◽  
Teacher Learning ◽  
Professional Learning Community ◽  
Professional Learning ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Learning Opportunities ◽  
Learning Needs ◽  
Opportunities For Learning

The growing perception of professional learning communities as an effective professional development approach needs to be supported with knowledge of how such communities create learning opportunities for teachers. Activities in professional learning communities are underpinned by collegial conversations that foster learning, and in this article we analysed such conversations for learning opportunities in one professional learning community of mathematics teachers. Data consisted of audio-recorded community conversations. The focus of the conversations was to understand the thinking behind learners’ errors, and teachers engaged in a number of activities related to learner errors and learner reasoning. Our analyses show how opportunities for learning were created in identifying the origins of learners’ errors as well as learners’ thinking underlying their errors. Results also showed that the teachers had opportunities for learning how to identify learners’ learning needs and in turn the teachers’ own learning needs. The teachers also had opportunities for deepening their own understanding of the conceptual meaning of ratio. The learning opportunities were supported by the following: having a learning focus, patterns of engagement that were characterised by facilitator questioning, teacher responses and explanations, and sharing knowledge. Such mutual engagement practices in professional learning communities resulted in new and shared meanings about teachers’ classroom practices. Our findings also show the critical role of a facilitator for teacher learning in professional learning communities.

scholarly journals Professional learning communities: Enhancing collaborative leadership in Singapore early childhood settings

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sukuna Vijayadevar ◽  
Kate Thornton ◽  
Sue Cherrington
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Early Childhood Education ◽  
Professional Learning Communities ◽  
Learning Communities ◽  
Learning Community ◽  
Professional Learning Community ◽  
Professional Learning ◽  
Leadership Practices ◽  
Collaborative Leadership ◽  
Childhood Education

Leadership in early childhood education has been promoted as a collaborative process in which all teachers, rather than just the positional leader, are involved. Collaborative leadership practices are not well understood within the marketised Singapore early childhood education context. Beyond mandatory leadership training, little is known about how leaders are supported to strengthen their leadership practices and involve others in leadership activities. School-based literature suggests that learning through professional learning communities expands the collective capacity of organisations; however, literature on professional learning communities in early childhood education is limited. This article reports on the findings of an interpretive case study examining the current understandings and leadership practices of principals in the Singapore early childhood education context, and investigating how participation in professional learning communities can support the development of collaborative leadership practices. The participants in two professional learning communities established as part of this study were six principals from an anchor-operator childcare provider and five principals from private childcare centres in Singapore. Two teachers working with each of the respective principals were also involved in focus group interviews to ascertain if there were changes in their principals’ leadership practices. Data was collected from professional learning community meetings, online reflections, pre- and post-professional learning community interviews with the principals, and follow-up focus group discussions with the teachers. The key findings indicate that praxis as a result of participation in a professional learning community led to some shifts in principals’ thinking about collaborative leadership practices and resulted in reported changes to their leadership approaches, distribution of leadership, and improved collegiality and collaborative learning for teachers. The results indicate that considering and implementing collaborative leadership practices through professional learning communities in the Singapore early childhood education context requires sensitivity towards Asian Singapore sociocultural values related to hierarchy and economic pragmatism.

Kindergarten teachers’ perceptions of whole-child development: The roles of leadership practices and professional learning communities

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (5) ◽  
pp. 875-892
Author(s):  
Chrysa Pui Chi Keung ◽  
Hongbiao Yin ◽  
Winnie Wing Yi Tam ◽  
Ching Sing Chai ◽  
Clement Ka Kit Ng
Keyword(s):  
Child Development ◽  
Professional Learning Communities ◽  
Learning Communities ◽  
Learning Community ◽  
Professional Learning Community ◽  
Professional Learning ◽  
Leadership Practices ◽  
Efficacy Beliefs ◽  
Whole Child ◽  
Teachers Perceptions

This study examined the relationships between leadership practices, professional learning communities, teachers’ efficacy beliefs and perceptions of whole-child development in the context of kindergarten education. A sample of 2120 teachers from 153 Hong Kong kindergartens participated in a questionnaire survey. The results showed that principals’ leadership practices had significant effects on all five professional learning community components. Leadership practices were also positively related to teachers’ perceptions of whole-child development directly and indirectly through the mediation of three professional learning community components, namely a shared sense of purpose, collaborative activities and a collective focus on children’s learning. Moreover, three professional learning community components (i.e. a collective focus on children’s learning, deprivatized practice and reflective dialogue) were positively associated with teachers’ perceptions of whole-child development via their efficacy beliefs. The findings support the mediating role of professional learning communities in developing kindergarten teachers’ collaboration for improving their efficacy beliefs and perceptions of the whole-child development of children. Kindergarten principals play a key role in cultivating a supportive culture and facilitating teacher learning.

scholarly journals The Influence of Distributed Leadership on Professional Learning Community among Secondary School Leaders in The State of Johore/ Pengaruh Kepimpinan Distributif Terhadap Komuniti Pembelajaran Profesional Dalam Kalangan Pemimpin Sekolah Menengah Di Negeri Johor

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2-2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Syed Syahrul Zarizi Syed Abdullah
Keyword(s):  
Professional Learning Communities ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
Learning Communities ◽  
Learning Community ◽  
Professional Learning Community ◽  
Professional Learning ◽  
Distributed Leadership ◽  
Leadership Practices ◽  
School Leaders ◽  
The Common

Distributed leadership is a leadership theory that emphasis on cooperation among leaders. It is practiced in schools, an institution that not only educates pupils but now serves as a professional learning community for school leaders and teachers. This study aims to investigate the influence of distributed leadership towards a professional learning community among the school leaders in Johor, Malaysia. This study uses quantitative approach and involves 27 secondary schools from six districts in Johor. Sample study is a school leader consisting of principal, senior assistant, senior teachers and head committee subjects. The respondent is a total of 358 people. Data collected using the Perception of Distributed Leadership Practices (PDLP) questionnaire by Hairon and Goh, (2015) and Professional Learning Communities Assessment-Revised (PLCA-R) by Olivier et al., (2010). Data was analyzed using SPSS Amos software version 26. Studies find all the common shared decision making have a significant influence on all the dimensions of professional learning communities. Bounded empowerment practices are found to influence only one of the dimensions of professional learning communities, namely learning and application collectively. It is hoped that this study would enhance the leadership practices of the distributive of the school leaders in the professional learning community.

scholarly journals IMPLEMENTATION OF PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITY AMONG TEACHERS IN MALAYSIA

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (34) ◽  
pp. 137-146
Author(s):  
Mohd Aizat Abu Hassan ◽  
Kamarudin Musa ◽  
Zahari Hashim ◽  
Nurul Fadly Habidin
Keyword(s):  
Professional Learning Communities ◽  
Learning Communities ◽  
Learning Community ◽  
Professional Learning Community ◽  
Professional Learning ◽  
Moderate Level ◽  
School Teachers

This study conducted to identify the level of implementation of the Professional Learning Community (PLC) among teachers in Malaysia. Respondents of the study consisted of 419 randomly selected school teachers. Overall, the professional learning community among teachers in Malaysia is still at a moderate level. This finding will help the relevant parties to find solutions to help improve the level of implementation of Professional Learning Communities among teachers in Malaysia.

scholarly journals Research on the Influencing Factors of High School English Teacher Professional Learning Community Evaluation in Changchun, China

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 104
Author(s):  
Yang Li ◽  
Chia-Ching Tu
Keyword(s):  
Professional Learning Communities ◽  
Learning Communities ◽  
Learning Community ◽  
Professional Learning Community ◽  
Professional Learning ◽  
Teacher Professional Learning ◽  
Learning Organisation ◽  
High School English ◽  
Community Evaluation ◽  
Teacher Professional

This research shows the development and influencing factors of high school English teachers’ evaluation of professional learning community in Changchun, China. Followed Olivier and Hipp & Huffma’s research, the teacher professional learning community evaluation questionnaire was developed by the researchers. 422 English teachers in Changchun were invited to participate in the online survey. This study found that the organization characteristics of professional learning communities in this city shared similar characteristics with Western countries at some degree. English perceptions of including the “shared personal practice” and “collective learning and application” achieves the average level in this research. Compared to the western professional learning communities, the Chinese professional learning communities in this study lack of the democratic leadership and shared value and vision attributions. According to the analysis, we find that the Confucian cultural context, teacher’ career development stages, the pressures of national college entrance examination and the systematic teaching training have a significant impact on the evaluation of teacher professional learning communities. Aiming at to build a learning organisation rather than a bureaucratic administration, we suggest that the “shared value and vison” and “shared and supportive leadership” needs more reform in the current professional learning communities. Namely, traditional Soviet model of school-based professional learning communities need to reform toward a learning organisation emphasizing the teaching and learning.

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