STUDY GROUPS MOVE TEACHING AND LEARNING PLANS FORWARD

Study Groups…  IMPORTANT VEHICLES FOR ACHIEVING CHANGE;  FOR ANALYZING DATA, INCLUDING STUDENT WORK;  FOR REALIZING GOALS OF A TEACHING AND LEARNING PLAN;

 PROVIDE A FORUM WHERE TEACHERS CAN ADDRESS ISSUES THAT ARE CENTRAL TO THEIR OWN STUDENTS’ LEARNING;  ENABLE TEACHERS TO CONDUCT ACTION RESEARCH; Study Groups…

 PROMOTE CONTINUOUS LEARNING AND IMPROVEMENT IN A SCHOOL;  SUPPORT LEARNING COMMUNITIES, AND  BREAK DOWN TEACHERS’ ISOLATION. Study Groups…

“ U nlike professional development designed by others, study groups provide a forum where teachers can address issues that embody values relevant to their own students’ learning.” --Judith Warren Little

 GROUPS MAY BE COMPOSED OF 4-6 TEACHERS INTERESTED IN PURSUING A COMMON TOPIC –TYPICALLY A SINGLE GRADE LEVEL OR A DEPARTMENT WORKS WELL Study Groups…

 BEST ORGANIZED AROUND SPECIFIC TOPICS OF IMPORTANCE TO PARTICIPATING TEACHERS EXAMPLE: AROUND UNDERSTANDING CONCEPTS IN MATH OR SCIENCE STANDARDS AROUND ASSESSING FOR STUDENT UNDERSTANDING Study Groups…

STUDY GROUPS’ WORK EVOLVES OVER TIME, AND IS USUALLY SEVERAL MONTHS IN DURATION IF NOT 1-2 YEARS.

THE GROUP MIGHT START WITH A DIFFICULT STANDARD, THEN LOOK AT STUDENT WORK, CONSIDER ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENTS, AND ASK WHETHER THE WORK IS APPROPRIATE FOR A CERTAIN GRADE LEVEL FOR INSTANCE,

ADMINISTRATORS’ SUPPORT IS CRUCIAL

Administrators’ Support…  PRINCIPALS CAN BE THE INITIATORS  PRINCIPALS CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE GROUPS  STUDY TEAMS BUILD RAPPORT, TRUST, AND SUPPORT.

IT’S ALL ABOUT LEARNING

 STUDY GROUPS ARE ABOUT TEACHER AND STUDENT LEARNING, NOT MANAGEMENT  PROCEED WITH A PLAN  PREPARE TO USE DATA, AS IN STUDENT WORK AND TEACHERS’ ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENTS

ADEQUATE TIME IS KEY

 MEET ONCE A WEEK IF POSSIBLE  DURING THE SCHOOL DAY  TAKE TIME FOR IMPORTANT DISCUSSIONS.

GROUP INTERACTION SKILLS

 GOOD INTERACTION SKILLS ARE VITAL AND CAN BE PRACTICED  SUCCESSFUL GROUPS BELIEVE THAT EACH MEMBER CONTRIBUTES  VALUE RISK-TAKING AND CREATIVITY  ARE ABLE TO DISCUSS DIFFICULT TOPICS.

STRUCTURE AND PROTOCOL ARE CRITICAL

 SAW’s EVIDENCE TO EXCELLENCE PROCESS PROVIDES A HELPFUL STRUCTURE  ‘CRITICAL FRIENDS’ MODEL GUIDES INTERACTIONS.

SAW ONLINE SEMINARS PROVIDE ANOTHER OPTION…  THREE WEEKS IN DURATION AND ASYNCHRONOUS  PROVIDE GUIDED INTERACTION ON TOPICS –INQUIRY LEARNING –UNDERSTANDING, AND –ASSESSMENT.

MOVING FORWARD WITH GOALS FOR YOUR SCHOOL

 How can your school implement important changes for increased student learning?  How can study groups help?  How can a K-16 vision help? o Content Learning o Clear goals for graduation and college level work

SOURCES  Designing Judgment, Assessing Children’s Work in Mathematics, Jean Moon  Designing Professional Development for Teachers of Science and Mathematics, Loucks-Horsley, et al.  Eisenhower Clearinghouse, Ideas that Work

More Sources  Learning Teams, NSDC Tools for Schools  Study Groups, NCREL Pathways