Professional Learning Teams

1. Professional Learning Teams Considerations

4. develop a vision and plan for professional learning and development that is aligned with school planning priorities and has a focus on improving teaching and learning;

5. Some schools start with volunteers investigating key themes identified by staff and students.

6. Some schools have made them compulsory, however there is choice as to which you join.

7. A range of topics is essential and should directly relate to improving learning outcomes for the students.

8. Teams range from 3-5; larger teams appear to be less effective.

9. Have a range of learning areas and experience represented.

10. Time must be made available to give learning teams traction.

11. There is an expectation that teams carry out some form of investigation into their selected topic, involving a range of approaches: Inquiry , research, observation, readings, student voice and data.

12. Learning teams are expected to share their findings with staff via report back and data.Recommendations made through learning teams should be supported as much as possible and action taken where practical.

13. Some possible topics that some • schools in Canterbury have • investigated through learning • groups: • Co-operative learning strategies • Behavior management that works • Disengagement of a certain year group • Motivation for Year 11 students • Coaching and mentoring senior students • Habits of Minds

14. CBHS Focus • New curriculum, • Thinking and learning • Strategies for shared learning • Teaching, curriculum delivery. • [How we teach what we teach]

15. Ideas for topics for learning groups? • ICT… • Differentiation • Thinking skills • Questioning • Study skills across all areas • Literacy • Numeracy • Incorporating prior learning • Pretesting strategies

16. Staff must have a voice in the design and implementation of the teams.