Analysis of Teacher Perceptions of Professional Learning Community Dimensions in Traditional Schools
Teachers may benefit from the opportunity to be part of a professional community of learners, but it is not clear that investment in developing professional learning communities (PLCs) is required in order to accrue the benefits of formal PLCs. This quantitative, post-test control group design study, based upon the tenets of social constructivism and PLC model of DuFour, Hord, and the Southwest Educational Development Laboratory (SEDL), compared PLC and non-PLC schools along the five Hord PLC dimensions of leadership, values and vision, collective learning, shared teaching, and supportive conditions. Schools selected for the study were public schools in southeastern North Carolina, including two PLC schools and two non-PLC schools. If there are no significant differences between PLC and non-PLC schools in terms of the presence/absence of the Hord dimensions, then it may not be worth the investment of resources to develop PLC schools. Using independent samples t tests, the study examined the difference in the perception of teachers in PLC and non-PLC schools in relation to the five PLC dimensions as measured by the School Professional Staff as Learning Community survey, with comparison by whole groups as well as groups disaggregated by gender, ethnicity, years of teaching experience, degree acquired, and level of school (elementary or secondary). Of the 102 t tests conducted, 12 tests showed significance. Four tests showed significant differences between elementary and secondary levels within three of the five dimensions: shared vision, collective learning, and shared practice. Three significant differences were found in gender for leadership and shared vision; and three between PLC and non-PLC schools in the dimensions of collective learning and shared practices. Two significant differences were found in experience level of teacher for collective learning. In terms of social change, the results of the study were inconclusive in terms of resource allocation for PLC development. However, further research, especially in the areas of educational level and gender, was indicated.
- ISBN 13 : 1109901828
- ISBN 10 : 9781109901825
- Judul : Analysis of Teacher Perceptions of Professional Learning Community Dimensions in Traditional Schools
- Pengarang : ,
- Penerbit : ProQuest
- Bahasa : en
- Tahun : 2008
- Halaman : 184
- Halaman : 184
- Google Book : http://books.google.com/books?id=LK5r-HwVkEIC&dq=intitle:community+analysis&hl=&source=gbs_api
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Ketersediaan :
... Data Analysis for Hypothesis 1 ......................................................................................
...68 Whole Group Analysis for Dimension1 ....................................................................
.....69 Whole Group Analysis for Dimension 2 ...